How contagious is calicivirus in cats? - briefly
Calicivirus in cats is highly contagious due to its ability to spread through direct contact with infected animals and indirectly via contaminated surfaces or objects. The virus can survive on surfaces for several days, making environmental transmission a significant risk factor.
How contagious is calicivirus in cats? - in detail
Calicivirus, also known as feline calicivirus (FCV), is highly contagious among cats. This virus is responsible for a significant portion of upper respiratory infections in felines, often referred to as "cat flu." The primary mode of transmission is through direct contact with infected cats or their secretions. FCV can be found in various bodily fluids such as saliva, nasal discharge, and eye secretions, which facilitates its rapid spread within a feline community.
The virus is particularly resilient and can survive on surfaces for extended periods, ranging from several days to weeks. This environmental stability allows FCV to be transmitted indirectly through contaminated objects like food bowls, litter boxes, bedding, and grooming tools. Cats that come into contact with these contaminated surfaces can subsequently become infected.
FCV is also airborne, meaning it can spread through aerosols generated by coughing or sneezing from an infected cat. This method of transmission is highly efficient in closed environments such as shelters, catteries, and multi-cat households, where the virus can quickly infect multiple cats.
In addition to direct and indirect transmission routes, vertical transmission—from a mother cat to her kittens—is also possible. Pregnant queens infected with FCV may give birth to kittens that are either stillborn or display symptoms of calicivirus infection shortly after birth.
The incubation period for FCV is typically short, ranging from 2 to 7 days, although it can sometimes be as long as 10 days. During this time, infected cats may not show any visible signs of illness but are capable of transmitting the virus to other cats. Once symptoms appear, they usually include oral ulcers, conjunctivitis, and nasal discharge, among others.
The high contagiousness of calicivirus underscores the importance of implementing strict hygiene measures and quarantine protocols in environments where multiple cats are present. Regular cleaning and disinfection of shared surfaces, as well as prompt isolation of infected cats, can help mitigate the spread of FCV within a feline population. Vaccination against calicivirus is also recommended to provide an additional layer of protection for cats at risk of exposure.