Contagious Cats

If it’s Thursday, it must be Vet 101 Q & A with our vet Dr, Richard Goldstein of Mobile Vet Squad If you have a question for him, please email the editor at [email protected]

Q: I read about Layla isolating sick cats who might be contagious. This is fine if you have lots of room, but what do you advise for someone in a one bedroom apartment with one bathroom (where the kitty litter is) and have to isolate two cats? I have a new cat and I’m worried about herpes shedding from my other one.

A: “Sniffles and sneezes” are one of the most common ailments we see in domestic cats. Feline herpesvirus is often the culprit. When discussing ways to prevent spread of the disease, it’s important to look how the disease is transmitted. While some aerosol (airborne) transmission may occur with feline herpes, the primary method of spread to other cats is through fomites ( inanimate objects or substances, such as clothing, furniture, or human hands, that are capable of transmitting infectious organisms from one individual to another). So, if a contagious cat sneezes, and snot (we’re all friends here!) ends up on the couch and the next cat comes along and sniffs it, guess who’s gonna get it next? If you pet a contagious cat and then go pet the “healthy” cat without washing your hands, you’ve just potentially spread the disease. So, instead of thinking about how we can “isolate” a contagious cat in a small apartment, let’s think about how we can reduce the cat’s contact with “fomites.”

Keeping the cat in a large dog carrier (big enough for kitty, a litter box, and food bowls) in a corner of the bedroom will help. You may need to create a little blockade to keep the other cat away from the door of the crate to prevent rubbing noses. Placing a small screen or sheer muslin over the door of the crate will allow the sick kitty to see out, and can help prevent nose-touching. Cleanliness is KEY. Take care of the contagious kitty last, and thoroughly wash your hands and all food and water bowls. Wearing disposable gloves will help. Wearing an apron or changing your clothes after treating the sick kitty will also help reduce the risk of spread. As a child, I remember my dad used to hang a sheet up in our living room when we had the air conditioner on, to help keep the cool air in the one room. It worked! Hanging a sheet in the room where the sick kitty is recuperating will also help create a makeshift isolation ward.

And, of course, the quicker you can nurse the kitty back to health, the sooner life can get back to normal. Even though these upper respiratory infections are usually viral, and need to run their course, often there can be a bacterial component as well, which may respond to antibiotics. Airways and nasal passages get very dehydrated with a URI, so nebulizing with saline really can help. And, as we know, cats need to smell their food, and need to breathe through their noses, so minimizing nasal congestion is very important. While nasal drops and cats don’t often go together, sometimes they help. Antiviral medications, supplements (like lysine), antihistamines, and other medications may also speed up the healing process. Touch base with your vet if there’s loss of appetite, or conditions are worsening.

Editors note: A sneezing from a contagious cat can spread the virus up to about four feet away.