Although Mickey suffered severe, chronic symptoms of FVR as a tiny kitten, you may have read on Mickey’s page that he has been practically symptom-free since he was a little over a year old.  We’re still searching for relief for Lupi's chronic symptoms, and are open to any suggestions anyone may have to offer.  Here's what we've learned along our journey...

Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (also known as FVR, FRV, or Feline Herpes Virus) is a highly-contageous virus that affects a cat's respiratory organs and mucous membranes - sinus cavities, nose, eyelids, lips and mouth.   The mortality rate among kittens that contract the virus without being properly immunized is very high. However, an adult cat exposed to the virus has a much better chance at survival. Most go through a year or two of constantly recurring symptoms of sneezing; coughing; inflammation and swelling of, and discharge from, the inner eyelids (conjunctivitis); and nasal congestion and discharge. Occasionally, sluggishness, lack of appetite, and fever may also play a role, and in advanced instances, ulceration of the lips, nose, and interior of the mouth. Some cats also develop eye ulcers which may eventually leading to severe infections, blindness, or even the loss of one or both eyes.

As in Mickey's case, after the worst is over, many cats show very few signs of the virus, while in other cases, like Lupi's, they chronically display mild symptoms, such as nasal congestion and discharge, and watery, light-sensitive eyes. Herpes viruses never leave their host; they merely lie in remission.

Rhinotracheitis does not respond to antibiotics or anti-bacterial substances, as it is a viral infection, not bacterial. This may seem confusing, as your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotic eye drops (sometimes recommended to be placed in the nostrils as well) such as gentamycin, as well as administering an oral antibiotics such as orally-administered Amoxy-drops (amoxycillin), to help combat secondary bacterial infections that may set in while flareups of the virus run their course.

Most cats that recover from rhinotracheitis remain chronic carriers of the virus; even if they are not exhibiting any of the obvious symptoms, they continue to shed the virus for years. This shedding and occasional flare-up of symptoms is often brought on by stressful events such as a change in environment, or another prolonged, unrelated illness.

If your cat suffers from Rhinotracheitis, ask your veterinarian about trying the natural supplements, treatments and immune system boosters we've either used, are using, or plan to try. We’ve listed them below, but we are not veterinary practitioners or nutritionists, so before trying anything, ask your veterinarian for an opinion, as well as his/her recommended dosage! We are merely sharing our own experiences and trials, and have learned about these treatment options by consulting our past and present veterinarians, utilizing numerous online resources and books.  Trina Nowak's personal web page on alternative treatments for pets which discusses the issue and offers a bounty of informative links, and the Holisticat site, which also has an interesting page discussing Upper Respiratory Infections.  Stephanie Hyde’s site, Emmy and Pearl’s Feline Herpes Site, offers numerous links to sites featuring FVR resources.

L-Lysine, an amino acid vailable in powder or tablet form wherever vitamins and supplements are sold, has been found to be effective in supressing flareups of herpes viruses in both animals and humans.  We simply mix the recommended dosage of the powder into their food, as it has almost no flavor.

Children's (Alcohol-Free) Echinacea Drops, available in organic/health food stores and most major drug stores, is an extract of the Purple Coneflower which has long been used to strengthen the immune system.  We add it to their food at the rate recommended by their veterinarian at the very first sign of an impending viral flareup.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) with Bioflavanoids, found in powder or tablet form at many organic/health food stores, has been found to help the body fend off viruses and help prevent other illnesses while your cat is in a weakened state.   We add it to their food every day, at the rate recommended by our veterinarian.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids, available through your veterinarian or in the refrigerated section of your local health food store in the form of Salmon Oil or Flax Seed Oil, has been successful in many cases to help cats with FVR.  We use flax oil in their food every day.

Immuno-Regulin Injections, to the best of our knowledge available only through your veterinarian, is an experimental serum developed for bovine use, to strengthen the immune system.  It may well have played a role in Mickey's recovery, but seemed to have little or no effect on Lupi.

Theraputic/Relaxation Massage is beneficial, to stimulate circulation and relaxation, promote general wellness, and a physical body “environment” that is receptive to healing.

Natural, Raw Meat Based Home Made Cat Food - Our BARF page goes into detail on this issue.