I am worried about cat flu

QWe rehomed a 10-year-old neutered male cat last year, after his owner had to go into care. He started sneezing a week ago and has a discharge from both eyes. Our vet diagnosed herpes virus and said if the cat was previously vaccinated the disease will hopefully be mild. We’ve no idea if he was vaccinated. What are your thoughts?

AFeline herpes virus, along with the calicivirus, account for most cases of upper respiratory infections or cat flu.

I have seen many cases and, as with your own vet, I’ve always diagnosed them on clinical grounds, although it is possible to send samples away for virus isolation testing.

Kittens should be routinely vaccinated against these viruses, with a recommended booster a year later. After that, boosters can be given according to your vet’s advice.

Boosters will always be required before going to a cattery.

If your cat had the full course of vaccination when young, and has had some boosters, there is a reasonable possibility that the disease will be mild and respond quickly to treatment, generally within a few weeks.

There is another possibility, however, if your cat has suffered a previous bout of cat flu. Cats, once recovered from feline herpes virus, become lifelong carriers, during which time they may intermittently shed the virus if stressed or are ill for another reason.

This means they may develop signs of flu.

Prompt treatment on each occasion reduces the risk of chronic signs developing, such as persistent snuffles, snoring, watery eyes and intermittent bouts of sneezing.

Q

I have a nine-year-old Gordon setter. Recently I noticed some shaking in his back legs, not both at the same time. This happens when standing and sometimes resting. His motility is otherwise fine. What could it be?

AAlthough these are obviously early signs, it will be best to get your dog examined by your vet to give the best chance of an accurate diagnosis and potential treatment.

There are a number of possible causes for the shaking. It could just be muscle weakness as part of the ageing process.

But perhaps more likely is some underlying, relatively mild condition.

Of these, arthritis, either of the spine or hips, is quite common in older dogs, with Gordon setters prone to hip dysplasia. These can result in pain and stiffness.

Conditions affecting the spinal cord such as disc problems could also be causing a degree of pain.

There are generalised tremor conditions in dogs but as the shaking is only affecting the hind legs these are probably not significant.

Before visiting your vet there are some useful things you can do that will help with a diagnosis.

Mobile phone videos of the shaking would be very useful, as well as noting when the shaking happens, after a walk for example.