A few days ago, we noticed that Zoe’s left eye was watery.
We made an appointment for the vet, but then it looked like it was going to get better on its own.
Then it was bad again. So we took her to the vet, and the nice man there said she has Feline Herpes, which is so common in cats that — according to this guy — 70% of cats are affected.
Just when when we thought Zoe was completely sexually inactive!
It’s got a fun science-y name: Feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR) and you can read more about it here.
FVR is transmitted through direct contact only.[4] It replicates in the nasal and nasopharyngeal tissues and the tonsils. Viremia (the presence of the virus in the blood) is rare. The virus is shed in saliva and eye and nasal secretions, and can also be spread by fomites. FVR has a two to five day incubation period.[1] The virus is shed for one to three weeks postinfection.[2] Latently infected cats (carriers) will shed FHV-1 intermittently for life, with the virus persisting within the trigeminal ganglion. Stress and use of corticosteroids precipitate shedding. Most disinfectants, antiseptics and detergents are effective against the virus.[4]
When I first adopted Cosmo he had feline chlamydia. Gross.
Feel better Zoe!