My cat has Feline Calicivirus. Can it be treated or vaccinated?

Hi, I think she should be able to have some antibiotics to prevent secondary infections if you notice that there is some discharge that could indicate this. She could have some fluids and also some food to encourage her to eat if she is not doing so ( Hill’s recovery). Hope this helps,

If your cat isn't vaccinated against Calicivirus, then yes Kovu can get it. Make sure his vaccines are up to date, and should reduce the symptoms should your cat acquire the virus from this foster cat. How lovely of you to want to take this foster cat in!

I'm assuming that your cat has an upper respiratory virus like herpesvirus or calicivirus. It is fine to vaccinate cats who have been already infected, especially since this is typically a combination vaccine that covers other viruses as well. There is some evidence that the intranasal vaccine could lessen the severity of signs in a cat who is having an outbreak, but if your cat is already infected the vaccine will not cure him. If you introduced another cat and Frank became symptomatic again (i.e. sneezing, watery eyes or nasal discharge) the new cat could catch the disease. That being said, these viruses are extremely common and many kittens have been exposed even before they are vaccinated. If you are concerned you could always consider adopting an older cat who already has been vaccinated.

Yes, it is an unfortunate situation but without treatment Calicivirus can be fatal. With treatment there is a good chance of recovery. Since the kitten was feral, treatment is very difficult and if not treated it can a reservoir of the disease and continue to spread it to other cats. I think euthanasia was the best option. Sorry you had to go through that. Thank you for caring about the kitten. Best wishes to you.

Unfortunately, there is no known cure or effective treatment for feline coronavirus. Treatment is aimed at supportive care, such as good nursing care and nutrition, and alleviating the inflammatory response of the virus. This supportive care may include fluid therapy, draining any accumulated fluids, blood transfusions, cytotoxic drugs, and corticosteroids in addition to antibiotics. The decision as to which antibiotic to use is based upon the current symptoms the animal is showing, and can be determined by the vet treating Baby. Unfortunately, the experts cannot say which antibiotic would be best for her because we cannot see her in person which make it illegal for us to prescribe or recommend a drug. I would discuss with your vet which drugs would be best to use on Baby based on her current symptoms, and the vet can prescribe them for her.

I recommend getting a cat when you no longer live with your current roommate and her cat. As many of half of all cats with calicivirus infection may continue to shed calicivirus particles intermittently or constantly for several months or for a lifetime. As calicivirus is extremely contagious through either direct contact with an infected cat/cat shedding viral particles, breathing the same air as an infected/carrier state/shedding cat, or contact with contaminated objects such as food bowls and toys, it would definitely be best to wait and to be sure that your new cat/kitten receives all required boosters of the FVRCP vaccine as well as the rabies vaccine early on. Good luck!

Most of the time Calicivirus causes symptoms only in the upper respiratory tract: the nose and the mouth and back of the throat (it can affect the eyes as well). Even though it sounds like Daisy may have a congested chest this may be referred noise from her upper respiratory tract. Since she seems worse it is also possible that her secondary bacterial infection has traveled into her chest causing pneumonia, which is a rare complication. If you feel she is having labored breathing not related to a clogged nose, or if she has been very lethargic or uninterested in food it might be a good idea to see a veterinarian on an emergency basis to rule out pneumonia.