Rhinotracheitis in cats - routes of infection

Hello everyone!

“First aid” for our own “harmless” runny nose is droplets. And you can run to work. But when our eyes water and fester... We don’t run anywhere - we sit at home and get treated properly.

If our beloved pet—the cat’s eyes and nose are running—our concern has every reason: after all, any illness, if left untreated, becomes dangerous. Including the “banal” cold, which cats supposedly don’t get. They're sick! Yes, less often than us, but like us, due to hypothermia, drafts, cold food and low immunity.

So why does this happen and what should we do? That is the question!

Symptoms and infection

If the owner notices that the furry pet is sneezing, his nose is running, his eyes are watering, and he refuses his usual food - this is a reason to think.
Perhaps the cat fell ill with a very common disease - rhinotracheitis. Feline rhinotracheitis is a disease caused by the herpes virus FHV-1. With improper care, the disease quickly progresses into the acute phase and is dangerous due to side effects. Another name for this disease is feline herpes virus. The incubation period of the virus lasts up to 10 days.

In a sick animal, the eyes and respiratory organs are primarily affected. Cats of all ages and breeds are susceptible to this infection. However, kittens and older individuals are more at risk than others. The reason is a decrease or insufficient development of immunity.

The first signs of rhinotracheitis

The feline herpes virus most often manifests itself in the autumn-spring period. This disease is difficult to recognize immediately and is easily confused with a common cold. The owner needs to take a close look at the pet.

The following signs will help identify rhinotracheitis in a cat:

Frequent and sudden sneezing;
High temperature, over 39 degrees;
Inflammation of the mouth and eyes;
Refusal to eat and decreased activity;
Difficulty swallowing, drowsiness and lethargy;
Lymph nodes are enlarged;
Mucous and purulent discharge from the nose, eyes, urethra.

In small kittens, the virus is very painful. Their immune system is still very weakened and all obvious symptoms are especially noticeable. For a thorough examination, you must take your pet to a veterinarian. The specialist will examine the cat’s eyes, nose and skin, and listen to the lungs. Carefully study the medical history.

To accurately assess the disease you need to take:

swab and scrapings from the cat’s mouth;
clinical blood test to determine the level of leukocytes;
or PCR - a study that will more accurately determine the presence of the virus.

When to see a doctor about floaters

If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your eye doctor immediately for emergency eye care.

Symptoms that should not be ignored:

The sudden appearance of floaters accompanied by flashes (which can be of any shape or size).
An increase in floating particles, accompanied by a darkening of one side of the visual field.
Shadows in peripheral vision
Do you see glare all the time?

In many cases, the appearance of floaters before the eyes is not a cause for concern; however, the above symptoms may indicate a retinal detachment, and if left untreated, it can cause permanent vision loss or even blindness.

If you experience the above symptoms, you should see a doctor within 24 hours. You will have to endure the discomfort of having your pupils dilated during an eye exam so that the ophthalmologist can get a good look at the peripheral retina and diagnose or rule out a retinal tear or other serious condition. It is worth finding out whether there is a threat to vision. If it's just an uncomplicated posterior vitreous detachment, which is quite common, or an ocular migraine, then you can breathe a sigh of relief.

The causative agent of rhinotracheitis

The danger is that the cat can get sick even while at home. For example, the owner brought the infection from the street on the soles of his shoes or stroked someone else's infected cat while visiting. Also, a pet can catch the virus while walking or at an exhibition. After all, the disease is transmitted by airborne droplets.

The main causes of pet infection:

communication with a carrier of the virus;
Sharing toys, tray or utensils with an infected animal by a healthy cat.

Danger of the virus to people

Most experts say that a sick animal does not pose a danger to humans. People also get herpes, but of a completely different type. Rhinotracheitis is a seasonal disease in cats. A person also tends to get sick in the fall or spring.

So, if the owners and the cat caught a cold at the same time, it’s most likely just a coincidence. However, while there is a sick pet in the house, it is recommended to refrain from guests. These measures will help prevent the dangerous virus from being carried to another place and infecting other animals.

Our doctors

Debryansky Vladimir Alekseevich

Doctor - otorhinolaryngologist, doctor of the highest category

33 years of experience

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Zharova Galina Gennadievna

Doctor - otorhinolaryngologist, member of the European Society of Rhinologists, doctor of the highest category

Experience 39 years

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Gogolev Vasily Gennadievich

Doctor - otorhinolaryngologist

19 years of experience

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Treatment of cats

Once on the nasal mucosa, the virus penetrates the cells of the body, causing the cells to die. This is how inflammation begins. Also, general deterioration and fever are caused by viruses that have entered the bloodstream.

For the successful recovery of your furry pet, comprehensive treatment and proper care are necessary. The veterinarian will prescribe treatment based on the general condition of the patient. Experts do not recommend taking various medications on your own. This can only worsen the patient's condition.

In addition to taking special medications, the following recommendations will be useful:

Isolation of a sick animal from healthy ones;
Mandatory disinfection of the place where the sick pet lies;
Drink warmly and avoid hypothermia;
Cleaning the nose and eyes with antiseptics daily;
If you refuse to eat, you need to force-feed the patient to avoid liver lipidosis (accumulation of fat);
Gentle, liquid food: fish, meat, cereals and milk;
The use of vitamin preparations, for example: Gamavit;
Use of immunostimulating drugs: Imunofan, Fosprenil, Salmozan;
Complex therapy includes the use of antiviral drugs: Acyclovir, Lysine, Gamapren;
Antibiotics should be used if there is a manifestation of secondary infections, for example: Flemoxin, Sumamed, Cefazolin.

If you treat your cat correctly and follow all the recommendations of a professional, the animal’s condition will improve in 8-10 days.

The disease rhinotracheitis leads to a decrease in immunity. This leads to various negative consequences:

The chronic stage is dangerous for the development of pneumonia, intestinal atony, damage to the nervous system, subsequent exacerbations of the disease, and the development of secondary infections;
An advanced form of the disease can lead to damage to the eyeballs so that they have to be removed;
In particularly severe cases, the disease leads to the death of the animal. Most of all, this threatens kittens and young individuals due to weak immunity;
More than 80% of animals remain carriers of the infection after recovery.

Thus, a cat that has had rhinotracheitis is a source of infection for its kittens. The virus infects the animal's uterus. Therefore, miscarriages, various pathologies and deformities in newborns most often occur with infected cats. The virus is excreted in feces and urine for quite a long time, for 1.5 years.

Viral eye diseases

They are constantly exposed to attacks by all kinds of microorganisms, so the number of eye diseases is very large, but for some time now it has been viral eye disease
. There are about 150 viruses that can infect the mucous membranes of the organs of vision, but the most common are several diagnoses.

Viral conjunctivitis

An extremely contagious disease, which, in turn, is divided into the following types:

Adenoviral conjunctivitis is characterized by redness of the membranes of the eyes, swelling of the eyelids, transparent discharge from the eyes and an increase in general body temperature. In the case of the catarrhal type, the external signs of the disease are not expressed significantly; in the case of the filmy type, a thin film is formed on the mucous membrane, and the follicular type of conjunctivitis is characterized by the appearance of small blisters on the mucous membrane of the eyes.
Herpetic conjunctivitis - as a rule, only one eye is affected by the virus. The course of the disease is sluggish and long-lasting; in the catarrhal form, the redness is not too pronounced, and in the follicular form, blisters also appear in the eyes.
Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis affects a large number of people at once, first affecting one eye, and then involving the other in the disease. There is both redness of the membranes of the eyes and profuse lacrimation. Plus there is a feeling as if the eyes are clogged, obvious photophobia and a persistent increase in body temperature.

Conjunctivitis of these types occurs equally in both adults and children.

Viral conjunctivitis

Viral keratitis

It is an inflammation of the cornea, which is most susceptible to the elderly and very young children. It can be both superficial and deep, and it can be caused by adenoviruses, herpes infection, smallpox viruses, measles, etc. Viral keratitis can be triggered by severe hypothermia, weak immunity and frequent stress.

The main symptoms of this pathology are redness and swelling of the eyes, as well as rashes of blisters on their mucous membranes and clouding of the cornea. Additionally, there is a decrease in visual acuity and neuralgic pain. In this case, antibiotics are also prescribed along with antiviral drugs.

Viral keratitis

Viral uveitis

This concept hides inflammation of different parts of the choroid of the eyes. In almost half of the cases of inflammatory eye diseases, this diagnosis is made, because many factors can lead to the disease. Most often, it is caused by the common herpes virus, but sometimes it can also be shingles (shingles).

With viral uveitis, the eyes become red, painful, watery eyes and light sensitivity appear, and vision loses its clarity. Often, anti-inflammatory and some symptomatic drugs are sufficient to treat this pathology.

Viral uveitis

Ophthalmoherpes

In some cases, eye infection with the herpes virus leads to this very disease, and it is extremely important that the first symptoms of eye disease

became a reason to consult a doctor, because this diagnosis can even lead to complete loss of vision. Mostly, ophthalmoherpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 or the chickenpox virus, but in recent days cases of infection with herpes type 2 have become increasingly common.

A viral disease can be suspected by redness of not only the eyes themselves, but also the eyelids, as well as pain when moving the eyeball and the sensation of a foreign body inside. There is also a decrease in visual acuity and blurred vision, there may be double vision and sparks before the eyes and, in general, a distortion in the perception of objects. Moreover, with ophthalmohermes, general health worsens: fever, nausea, etc.

As a rule, therapy in this case is not limited to antiviral drugs and involves nonspecific and specific immunotherapy. This is due to the fact that the most common cause of ophthalmoherpes is decreased immunity.

Ophthalmoherpes

Viral blepharitis

This eye disease is characterized by the feeling of a grain of sand getting inside, which you really want to get rid of, as a result of which the person begins to blink frequently and rub his eyes. In parallel, inflammation of the edges of the eyelids develops and rapid eye fatigue is noted. In severe forms of blepharitis, which often affect children and young people, the itching is very pronounced and working in artificial light becomes almost impossible.

Treatment of viral blepharitis begins with the prescription of antiviral drugs, and then includes a special diet aimed at boosting immunity. Special vitamin and mineral complexes and courses of essential amino acids are also prescribed.

Viral blepharitis

Preventive measures

Any infectious

and viral eye diseases can be prevented. In most cases, it is enough to follow the rules of personal hygiene. In particular, we are talking about:

Periodic examination by an ophthalmologist (at least 2 times a year);
Using only clean and ironed handkerchiefs (or disposable ones);
Washing with warm water before bed and thoroughly removing makeup;
Refusal to use other people's hygiene products;
Careful wearing, removing and putting on contact lenses.

Great attention should be paid to prevention by people who already wear glasses and contacts, and have also undergone eye surgery, because they are in a high-risk area. But these measures can preserve eye health for many years.

If it becomes clear that the eyes are affected by a viral infection (redness and some discomfort), self-medication is unacceptable. During the diagnostic process, the ophthalmologist will determine the type of virus by taking a smear, conduct an external examination, prescribe tests, and only after that will determine the treatment regimen necessary in a particular situation. Otherwise, the disease may become severe and lead to complications.

Causes of inflammation of the trigeminal nerve on the face

Usually the disease is caused by infection or bacteria. List of reasons why inflammation of the facial nerve may occur:

Temporomandibular joint injuries
Tumors (benign and malignant) of the brain and facial area
Anomalies of skull development
Skull injuries - birth, fracture, base, damage to the face or jaw
Polio
Pulmonary tuberculosis
Otitis
Sinusitis
Chronic caries
Inflammation after tooth extraction or treatment
Hypertension
HIV and AIDS
Poisoning
Inflammation of the middle ear
Severe hypothermia of the head
Changes in hormonal levels in women
Gum inflammation
Ramsay Hunt syndrome
Stroke
Bell's palsy

Causes range from minor to life-threatening illnesses. Each of the reasons determines the further treatment of the patient. In some cases, special tests are performed for diagnosis - auditory, lacrimal, infectious, salivary or gustatory. In this way, the functioning of the receptors and sensory organs is checked.

Treatment for inflammation of the facial nerve

Drug treatment

Treatment of trigeminal neuritis is complex. The disease is first treated with medication - the patient is prescribed drugs that will alleviate the situation. These include painkillers, decongestants, vasodilators and B vitamins. Most often, the recommended medications are tablets, but you can speed up the recovery process by using ointments and gels. Sometimes doctors prescribe intramuscular injections.

In special cases, the recovery process of the facial nerve may be slowed down. Then the patient is prescribed glucocorticosteroids, which improve the metabolic processes of nervous tissue. Various biostimulants and hyaluronidases also contribute to a speedy recovery.

You cannot prescribe medications for yourself. Be sure to see a neurologist or neuropathologist at the first symptoms to determine the diagnosis and treatment strategy. Recovery medications are recommended to patients on a case-by-case basis, paying attention to the presence of chronic diseases, symptoms, and so on.

Surgery

Another way to treat the facial nerve is surgery. However, doctors turn to this option quite rarely - only when the trigeminal nerve is ruptured. Surgery is also required if there is no effect from the conservative method after six months or a year. Surgical intervention is only relevant during the first year of the presence of the disease; later, the muscles on the face irreversibly atrophy.

The surgical process involves suturing the damaged area of the facial nerve to restore its motor function.

Massage

The next treatment method is massage for the treatment of the facial nerve. The purpose of this method is to remove swelling, improve blood circulation, restore sensitivity and conduction of nerve impulses. Massage is contraindicated for tuberculosis, oncology, atherosclerosis and elevated temperature.

Initially, the massage therapist works only with the healthy side of the face, collar area, neck and area above the shoulders. Basically, the master uses rubbing, stroking, kneading and vibration.

For noticeable desired changes, it is necessary to conduct ten to twenty massage sessions from five to fifteen minutes. The duration is determined based on the degree of inflammation of the trigeminal nerve, the goals of therapy and the dynamics of recovery.

Physiotherapy

The next treatment method is physical therapy. It alleviates the severity of symptoms, helps to activate metabolic processes in tissues and restore the functions of the facial nerve.

Doctors prescribe this course of treatment from the first days of the onset of neuritis. The list of physical procedures includes:

Ultrasound
Laser irradiation of blood
Electrophoresis of drugs
Microwave therapy
Exposure to ultra-high frequency electricity
Ozocerite treatment
Myoelectrostimulation
Darsonvalization

This complex is indicated for the first week of treatment. Doctors prescribe it together with medication. This tandem helps speed up the process of restoration of the facial nerve. And its most important advantages are the absence of side effects and painlessness.

Alternative Methods

There are also alternative treatment methods. These are procedures aimed at restoring facial muscles and eliminating the symptoms of facial neuritis. Such procedures include:

Clay or paraffin masks
Acupuncture
Reflexology
Injections to eliminate muscle disorders
Therapeutic baths
Taping – stretching the face using adhesive plasters
Immunosorption – purification of blood from antigens and antibodies
Biofeedback – facial muscle training

Gymnastics for the face

Also, in conjunction with complex treatment, you can do facial exercises. Before this, you need to consult with a specialist; the doctor will draw up an individual list of exercises based on the severity of the process, location of the lesion and symptoms. Typically, such gymnastics takes about ten minutes a day.

A standard set of exercises includes relaxing and tensing individual facial muscles. For example, to restore articulation, it is recommended to pronounce the sounds “u”, “o”, “and”. Afterwards, you need to bring your lower lip under your upper teeth and reproduce the sounds “v” and “a”.

Gymnastics for inflammation of the trigeminal nerve:

Close eyes
Raise your eyebrows
Frown
Squint
Smile with your mouth closed
Smile with your mouth open
Puff up your cheeks
Pull them back
Whistle
Widen your nostrils
Curl your lips
Raise your upper lip and return to the starting position
Lower your lower lip and return to the starting position
Take water into your mouth
Rinse your mouth
Close your mouth
Run the tip of your tongue along your gums
Move your tongue right and left

Diagnosis of inflammation of the trigeminal nerve

Depending on the affected area and the set of symptoms, the strategy for diagnosing the disease is determined. To determine the location of nerve damage, the severity and dynamics of recovery, doctors prescribe a hardware diagnostic method, for example, electromyography. MRI and CT scans are used to determine the presence of tumors in the brain.

The patient may also be referred for a general or biochemical blood test, x-ray of the lungs, ultrasound of soft tissues or ophthalmoscopy.

You can be confident in the quality of the procedures performed in the clinic and the high accuracy of the results of MRI, CT and other methods of diagnosing various diseases. Medunion performs magnetic resonance imaging of all types: head, spine, abdominal cavity and joints using modern equipment.

What is the facial nerve?

The trigeminal nerve, also known as the facial nerve, is the largest of the twelve cranial nerves. It originates in the ear, after which it branches, the first path reaches the frontal part, the second is located at the jaw. The nerve goes around almost the entire surface of the human face; it literally controls it.

Every person has two facial nerves - one on each side of the head. It is in contact with other cranial nerves and has supersensitive fibers.

Doctors divide the disease into two types - primary and secondary. The primary one manifests itself as a complication from a cold, in this case the normal nutrition of the nerve is disrupted. Secondary occurs with severe intoxication against the background of inflammatory or infectious diseases, as well as tumor processes.