Once herpes – always herpes. One contact with the virus is enough and it stays in the body for life. In stressful situations or in the event of illness, it can cause symptoms – from mild inflammation to severe eye or respiratory problems to death.
“Herpes occurs in all animal species; However, the virus is very species-specific,” says Zoodoc Katharina Reitl. The KURIER animal coach explains how dangerous an infection is and what helps the patient.
Painful for cats
“Cats are most commonly affected,” says Reitl. While the painful blisters mainly appear on the lips in humans, the virus is noticeable in the eyes of four-legged friends. It causes swelling, can damage the cornea and lead to ulcers on the organ of vision. In addition, the infection sometimes affects the respiratory tract. The specialist is required for the treatment. Because the droplet or smear infection often weakens the immune system and thus brings further health complications with it.
“A vaccination once morest other pathogens of the cat flu complex reduces the symptoms,” says the veterinarian from the Ordination Tiergarten Schönbrunn. There is no active ingredient that protects cats from a herpes infection. Especially following the first outbreak of the disease, everything must be done to prevent a new flare-up. The patient should feel as comfortable as possible. In stressful situations such as moving house or a construction site in front of the house, medication to treat the symptoms should be at hand; the virus itself cannot be destroyed in the body.
Fatal to unborn dogs
“The canine herpes virus is especially dangerous for bitches,” says Reitl. While it affects the respiratory tract in male dogs and causes symptoms such as kennel cough, it can affect fertility in female quadrupeds. For unborn puppies, the mother’s disease can even be fatal. Breeding animals should therefore be vaccinated two weeks before mating and two weeks before the due date. The specialist in gynecological veterinary medicine advises.
High risk of infection for conspecifics
Whether cat, dog, bird or reptile: “In young animals, the disease is almost always fatal,” says the expert. As a precaution, the immune system of the offspring can be supported. Increasing the temperature in the whelping box also helps. If a conspecific falls ill in a multi-animal household, strict attention must be paid to hygiene. This also applies when people develop blisters. Above all, you must not cuddle closely with rabbits.
“Herpes is probably very common in pets,” concludes the KURIER animal coach. “Like humans, many carry the virus but do not contract it.”
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