Two of the most likely times when a cat could catch cat flu are when a mother cat has produced kittens or when a cat has to go into boarding. Just as with humans, flu is passed on more easily in public situations, Dr Kim Kendall points out in a professional article in the Robina Veterinary Newsletter. Small children easily catch the sniffles at pre-school, and we are all particularly susceptible to catching a cold after a lengthy plane journey.  

While we tend to feel at risk when in the company of someone who is sneezing and freely distributing germs, most viruses, Dr Kendall says, are transferred by direct contact; for instance, by touching someone’s hand. Some viruses can be transferred by touching paper that has been touched by an infected person.

Humans do not catch cat flu, so you will not be infected when your cat falls victim to the virus. Cat flu viruses are different from the viruses that give humans cold or flu.
Flu vaccination for cats is regarded as successful if the vaccinated cat shows about 50 per cent fewer of the clinical signs when infected than a cat that has not been vaccinated. This is not very different from the human situation. Vaccination does not prevent one from getting flu, but it does reduce the severity of the illness. Similarly, cats might still contact cat flu despite being vaccinated, but will not die from the disease.      

Kittens are susceptible to the flu because their immune systems are not yet fully developed and they can get the Herpes virus when they are as young as five days old. As with humans, this virus is then in the system forever after and, when the immune system is under either physical or emotional stress, the virus is likely to begin to replicate. This is indicated in cats by sneezing. Purebred cats are more vulnerable than crossbred, although a few sneezes should not necessarily be taken as a sign of flu, as there are multiple other reasons.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD A CAT BE VACCINATED ?
Both healthy cats who regularly associate with other cats and indoor more reclusive cats probably need to be vaccinated at least about every two years… unless the cat goes into boarding where it is likely to feel stressed and also be exposed to strange cats. An annual vaccination is recommended for such animals.

HOW WORRIED DO WE NEED TO BE ABOUT SNEEZES ?
Cats can be allergic the same way we can, and many cats suffer from hayfever because they are allergic to pollen or pollutants. If the cat is eating properly and its mucus is clear, then it is probably having an allergic reaction of some kind.
If the cat is off its food, if its mucus is thick and sludgy (which indicates a bacterial reaction), and if its eyes are puffy, seek the advice of your vet. In most cases, the cat’s own immune system will deal with the virus if the cat is looked after and kept comfortable in a protected environment. The most infectious time, however, is before the sneezing starts!

The virus spreads mainly through contact with other cats, although both the Herpes and the Calici flu viruses can survive for as long as a week in the open, so your cat could pick up the infection from merely sniffing something outside that a cat with flu sniffed a few days earlier.
As well as picking up the virus from various surfaces, a cat might also contract cat flu by reactivation of its own viruses owing to suffering stresses like spending time in a boarding kennel, moving house, or even getting into a fight with other cats. 

THE BEST WAYS OF PREVENTION
The best ways of protecting an animal against the disease is to pay consistent attention to its general health, try to avoid as many stressful situations for it as possible, and have it vaccinated at least every two years and more frequently if it goes into boarding.

   Dr Kendall advises us to keep cat flu in perspective and not obsess about it, because our cats have to live with many other dangers like traffic, abscesses and various other viruses, which offer more potential dangers. As far as cat flu is concerned, the best way is to be alert to your cat’s condition and keep it as healthy as possible.
(Adapted from an article in the Robina Veterinary Newsletter)