Classification
Taxonomy
- Family: Herpesviridae .
- Subfamily: Alphaherpesvirinae .
Distribution
FHV-1- Worldwide.
- Common.
FHV-2
- In USA only.
- 30% of cats in USA have antibody to FHV-2.
Significance
FHV-1- Causes severe, sometimes fatal, cat 'flu'
(upper respiratory tract infection); keratitis and ulceration especially in young kittens. - Can leave cats with chronic rhinitis
. - Can cause abortion/resorption in pregnant cats.
- Fading kittens
, usually from 2-4 weeks of age.
FHV-2
Sources
Publications
- Dawson S, Willoughby K, Gaskell R Met al(2001)A field trail to assess the effect of vaccination against feline herpesvirus, feline calicivirus and feline panleucopenia virus in 6-week old kittens.JFMS3, 17-22.
- Binns S H, Dawson S, Speakman A J, Cuevas L Eet al(2000)A study of feline upper respiratory tract disease with reference to prevalence and risk factors for infection with feline calicivirus and feline herpesvirus.J Feline Med and Surg2, 123-133.
- Dawson S & Willoughby K (1999)Feline infectious upper respiratory tract disease - an update.In Practice5, 232-252.
- Dawson S, Gaskell R & Jarrett O S (1999)Vaccination in cats - an update.In Practice21, 71-74.
- Sykes J E, Browning G F, Anderson G, Studdert V P & Smith H V (1997)Differential sensitivity of culture and the polymerase chain reaction for detection of feline herpesvirus 1 in vaccinated and unvaccinated cats.Arch Virol142, 65-74.




