Ocular changes / lesions of the feline eye caused by herpesvirus infection

What is herpes?
Herpes is a virus (Feline Herpesvirus-1, FHV-1) that, besides the eyes, can also cause disease in the respiratory tract.

How did my cat get infected with the herpesvirus?
The herpesvirus appears in the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth, as well as in the conjunctiva. Infection occurs when a cat comes into contact with another, infected cat that is currently shedding the virus.
Kittens are usually infected by their mother.

What are the symptoms of a herpesvirus infection?
Cats infected with the herpesvirus initially show cold-like symptoms:

Sneezing
Nasal discharge
Ulceration of the ocular surface tissues (cornea, conjunctiva)

In young cats, abnormal adhesions often form in the ulcerated areas. This condition is called symblepharon.
In older cats, inflammation of the cornea and/or conjunctiva usually develops. In these cases, the eye:

Appears red
Waters (tears excessively)
Squints

Respiratory symptoms are generally not seen in adult cats.

Do antibiotics help with a herpes infection?
No. Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections and therefore cannot be used against viral infections.
However, a bacterial secondary infection (e.g., Chlamydophila, Mycoplasma) can sometimes develop alongside the herpes infection, in which case antiviral therapy must be supplemented with antibiotics.

Is there a medication that kills the herpesvirus?
No. Medical treatment only stops the herpesvirus from multiplying, so the cat's own immune system has to overcome the infection.

Can symblepharon resulting from a herpesvirus infection be corrected surgically?
Unfortunately, no. Although the procedure is technically feasible, it is not recommended, because after initial improvement the adhesion can form again, often to a greater extent than the original lesion.

Will my cat have herpes for its entire life?
About 80% of cats remain lifelong carriers of the virus. This does not mean they will be sick their whole lives, but they may periodically shed the virus again and could become ill once more.

How can I prevent my cat from getting sick again?
In cats, stress is one of the most important factors in the recurrence of the disease. The most common stressors are:

Moving house
Boarding at a cattery
Arrival of a new pet
The owner going away

Try to reduce sources of stress as much as possible to minimize the chance of the disease recurring.

Can I catch herpes from my cat?
No. Feline herpesvirus is not contagious to humans.

Is there a vaccine against herpes?
Yes. Combination vaccines for cats also contain a component against the herpesvirus. The vaccine does not prevent infection, but symptoms are milder in vaccinated animals.