What are the characteristics of feline calicivirus?

Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a highly contagious virus that primarily affects cats, causing a range of symptoms from mild to severe respiratory infections and oral diseases¹. It is particularly common in environments with multiple cats, such as shelters and breeding colonies¹.

The virus spreads through direct contact with an infected cat’s saliva, nasal mucus, or eye discharge, and can also be transmitted via aerosol droplets when cats sneeze¹. FCV is resilient, surviving on surfaces for up to a month in certain conditions¹.

Symptoms of FCV infection include sneezing, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eye lining), and oral ulcers². In severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia and systemic infections². The incubation period is typically 2 to 14 days¹.

Most cats recover completely, but some may become long-term carriers, shedding the virus intermittently¹. Vaccination can help reduce the severity of the disease, but due to the virus’s high mutation rate, outbreaks still occur¹. Rarely, a virulent strain can cause severe systemic disease, leading to multiple organ damage or death¹.

FCV poses no threat to humans and is specific to the Felidae family⁴.

Ringbio’s Feline Calicivirus IgG Antibody ELISA Kit enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect specific antibodies against Calicivirus in feline serum and plasma. Additionally, can be used for monitoring FCV vaccine antibody levels in cats. The operation does not require any special instruments, and results are obtained within 60 minutes.

Check here, https://www.ringbio.com/products/pet/feline-calicivirus-igg-antibody-elisa-kit

Source:
(1) Feline Calicivirus – Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/baker-institute/research-baker-institute/feline-calicivirus.
(2) Feline Respiratory Disease Complex (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis …. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/lung-and-airway-disorders-of-cats/feline-respiratory-disease-complex-feline-viral-rhinotracheitis-feline-calicivirus.
(3) Update on feline calicivirus: viral evolution, pathogenesis …. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1388420/full.
(4) What to Know About Feline Calicivirus – WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/pets/cats/what-know-about-feline-calcivirus.