Cat flu is a complex of several different disease-causing viruses and bacteria. Together they cause inflammation of the mucous membranes of the cat’s nose and eyes and of the airways.
The complex often includes feline herpesvirus (which can lie dormant in cells), calicivirus, Chlamydia (bacterium), Mycoplasma (bacterium) and/or Bordetella (bacterium).
Young cats, cats with weakened immune systems and unvaccinated cats are usually the hardest hit by cat flu. The cats suffer swollen mucous membranes, a runny nose, coughing, fever and, in the worst cases, pneumonia and death.
A cat that has had cat flu can catch it again, just as we humans can get influenza more than once.
Vaccination gives good protection, but not 100%, as so many different disease-causing strains of viruses and bacteria are involved. Symptoms are, however, considerably milder in a vaccinated cat.
Cats that spend a lot of time outdoors, live in areas with many other cats, go to shows, stay at catteries or have owners who work with cats are considered a high-risk group for cat flu.
These cats should be vaccinated against cat flu every year. Low-risk cats are strictly indoor cats, which only need vaccinating every three years (mainly against feline panleukopenia)
Guldveterinären vaccinates cats with Nobivac Ducat in the two years between the feline panleukopenia vaccinations (Nobivac Tricat).
Read more about Cat flu on the website of the Swedish Veterinary Agency (SVA), in Swedish.
