Feline Rhinotracheitis

Disease Overview

Rhinotracheitis is a respiratory disease caused by herpesvirus-1. “Rhinotracheitis” means inflammation of the nose and windpipe, or trachea. Herpesvirus-1 also affects the reproductive tract and can cause problems during pregnancy. Feline herpesvirus type 1 is responsible for 80% to 90% of infectious feline upper respiratory diseases.6

Merck Animal Health Solutions

For Feline Rhinotracheitis

A quality core vaccine shown to be effective for vaccination of healthy cats 9 weeks of age or older against feline rhinotracheitis, calici, and panleukopenia viruses.

Shown to be effective for vaccination of healthy cats 9 weeks of age or older against feline rhinotracheitis, calici, panleukopenia, and feline leukemia viruses, and the only combination vaccine providing a 2-year duration of immunity against feline leukemia virus.

Shown to be effective for vaccination of healthy cats 9 weeks of age or older against feline rhinotracheitis, calici, and panleukopenia viruses, as well as feline Chlamydophila.

A quality core vaccine shown to be effective for vaccination of healthy cats 9 weeks of age or older against feline rhinotracheitis, calici, panleukopenia, and feline leukemia viruses, as well as feline Chlamydophila. The duration of immunity against feline leukemia virus is at least 2 years.

The only USDA-approved feline core vaccine with a duration of immunity of at least 3 years. Shown to be effective for vaccination of healthy cats 8 weeks of age or older against feline rhinotracheitis, calici, and panleukopenia viruses.

Transmission

Feline rhinotracheitis is spread between cats through direct contact with the eyes or nose of an infected cat or through contaminated objects, such as food and water bowls.

Clinical Signs

  • Sneezing
  • Discharge from the eyes and nose
  • Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the membrane lining the eyelid)

Risk Factors

  • Cats that board often or come from a shelter environment
  • Cats in multiple cat households
  • Kittens and elderly cats have a higher risk of infection7
  • Indoor/outdoor cats are both at risk

References:

6. American Association of Feline Practitioners. Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force. Feline vaccines: benefits and risks. Available at: http://www.avma.org/vafstf/rbbroch.asp. Accessed December 29, 2011.
7. Gaskell R, Dawson S, Radford A. Feline respiratory disease. In: Greene CE, ed. Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO: Saunders/Elsevier; 2006:149.