Can Pets Contract Herpes Too?

For example, being introduced to a new pet in the family, moving to another home, a hostile environment, or an unhealthy or unstable diet are FVR triggers. And, yes, your cat can pass feline herpes on to other cats it comes into contact with through saliva (hissing, spitting, licking, and sharing food and water bowls). 

Should your cat contract FVR, L-lysine supplements and nasal decongestants are available over the counter. You can expect the worst symptoms, such as runny nose and sneezing, to last 7-10 days. However, your cat may still show signs of a few sneezes or fatigue for another week or two. 

Cats have incredibly sensitive systems. For example, it's beneficial to have a humidifier running when your cat struggles with feline herpes, which helps break down mucus in tiny nasal passages. However, don't use essential oils in your humidifier. Cats lack the systemic and dietary enzymes necessary to break down essential oils. Essential oils are toxic to cats, and your cat could die if you use them in a humidifier. One of the best things you can do for your cat is to fill the bathroom with steam and allow your cat to breathe in this warm, moist air for fifteen minutes two to three times daily. Stay with your pet during this time to prevent them from being stressed or frightened.

Feline herpes can cause a condition of the eyes called Conjunctivitis ("itis" means inflammation). If your cat has irritated or runny eyes, you can use two drops of colloidal silver (a natural antimicrobial) in the eyes every 3-4 hours during the day for up to four weeks. It doesn't sting and is soothing. If an eye is stuck closed, you can use a warm, damp compress to wipe the outer eye gently. You might also wipe your cat's nose similarly because mucus can become sticky in nasal passages.

Should your cat get an eye infection from the herpes virus, you can use Polysporin Eye Drops (an antibiotic solution) in your cat's eyes. Terramycin, an antibiotic ointment, is advertised, but Terramycin can cause dangerous side effects in cats. I have yet to find the Polysporin Eye Drops in the United States. However, you can order it from Canada. It takes about two weeks to receive it in the mail, so if you know your cat has herpes outbreaks, you'll want to purchase it in advance to have it on hand. DO NOT, under any circumstances, use any other Polysporin product in your cat's eyes. You could severely damage the eye and cause pain, blindness, and the loss of an eye. 

NOTE: If your cat's eyes show no improvement after a few days, please see your vet, especially if a yellow or green (pus) discharge develops, which is a sign of severe infection.  

Cats don't eat or drink during outbreaks because they feel terrible and lose their senses of taste and smell. To coax your cat into eating and drinking while ill, supply "stinky" wet food (tuna juice or flavorful broth). Should your cat still refuse to eat or drink for more than 24 hours, please visit your veterinarian so your cat can receive fluids. Dehydration can quickly become life-threatening.

If your cat has a fever (hot ears and nose), please see a veterinarian for antibiotics to reduce the risk of secondary infections, such as Pneumonia. In this case, using antibiotics is best. 

NOTE: DO NOT treat your cat with essential oils, regardless of what you see online. It could kill your beloved pet. Your feline doesn't have the systemic or dietary enzymes necessary to break down essential oils in its body. Oils poison cats and cause toxicity in a very short time (minutes, hours, or days, depending on the dose). You should always keep your pet away from essential oils and out of spaces with essential oil diffusers, including wall-socket diffusers. Cats are extremely sensitive to smell, and incense, perfumes, deodorants, and air fresheners cause allergies. 

Dogs ~ No

Canine Herpes Virus (CHV) is a systemic disease of puppies that is often fatal and commonly seen in coyotes, dogs, and wolves in Asia and Europe. It doesn't cause infection in humans. Like felines, lysine supplements and canine nasal decongestants can be of help. Never use human medications to treat animals. A natural remedy for eye infections is Colloidal Silver. You can also treat your dog's eye infection with Terramycin, an over the counter antibiotic ointment, which is more suitable for dogs than cats. Unlike cats, dogs do have the ability to break down essential oils in treatments. However, any time you use essential oil products for your dog, you'll want to buy a product made specifically for dogs or consult a veterinarian specializing in essential oil treatments for canines. 

Fish ~ No

Even fish get herpes. However, the Koi Herpes Virus (KHV), which is responsible for causing Koi and Carp herpes virus infections, doesn't cause human illness. Can you treat fish with essential oils? The answer is dubious. Because many fish medications kill fish, dropping essential oils in your tank water might be tempting. Don't! Essential oils could kill your fish.

Macaque Monkeys ~ Yes (and Vice Versa)

Herpes B Virus (also known as Cercopithecine herpes virus 1, herpes virus simiae, and Macacine herpes virus 1) is infectious to humans. 

Herpes..." B virus infection is extremely rare but can lead to severe brain damage or death if you do not get treatment immediately. People typically get infected with the B virus if they are bitten or scratched by an infected macaque monkey or come into contact with the monkey's eyes, nose, or mouth. Only one case of an infected person spreading the B virus to another person has been documented ( https://www.cdc.gov/herpesbvirus/index.html).

"Herpesviruses are highly host-specific and share a long synchronous evolution with their hosts. In rare cases, species barriers fall and allow animal-to-human or human-to-animal transmission. Among the zoonotic herpes viruses, Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1 is the most significant and can be transmitted from macaques to humans. Conversely, Human herpes virus 1 is capable of causing severe disease in primates. Besides those two examples, several herpes viruses have a limited or only suspected ability to cross species barriers. Those include Saimiriine herpesvirus 2, Phocid herpesvirus 2, Equid herpesvirus 1, Epstein-Barr Virus, Marek's disease virus, and pseudorabies virus. Concerning xenotransplantations, porcine gamma herpesviruses must be considered a zoonotic threat" ( https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2815145/).

Birds ~ No

Yes. Birds can contract herpes viruses from other birds through direct contact, the air (respiratory secretions from other birds), drinking water, and contaminated environments. Pigeons, chickens, and owls come to mind, but other species exist. It's unlikely that a human would contract herpes from a bird. However, birds can transmit several other diseases to humans (called zoonotic diseases), such as Campylobacteriosis, a bacterial infection transmitted through food and water due to fecal contamination. It's also possible to develop a respiratory infection from inhaling bird dander.

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