Researchers from the Jagiellonian University have developed a drug for viral upper respiratory tract infection in cats - cat flu. The disease is considered one of the common causes of death in cats in shelters and breeding. Scientists from the Jagiellonian University reported that field tests they conducted on sick animals showed significant improvement in many of them. The drug for cat flu will soon be available on the market.
Photo. Alvesgaspar / CC 3.0
Viral upper respiratory tract infection, caused by feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) or feline calicivirus (FCV), is a common infectious disease in cats, called cat flu. The disease is manifested by coughing, sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, fever and the appearance of purulent discharge from the nose and eyes. Cat runny nose is considered one of the most common causes of death of cats in shelters and cattery. Although the disease is widely known and the viral etiological factors are well described, treatment is symptomatic and based on antibiotic therapy to prevent secondary bacterial infections. Currently, no agent that directly affects FCV is used in veterinary medicine.
Research carried out at the Jagiellonian University led to the identification of a compound that is approved for use even in humans - a sulfonated derivative of polystyrene. This compound effectively combats both viruses that cause cat flu. Preclinical studies have shown a lack of toxicity, high durability and effectiveness in inhibiting the multiplication of feline viruses, which are the etiological factor of the condition commonly called cat flu. As reported by prof. Krzysztof Pyrć from the Jagiellonian University, together with one of the Krakow veterinary clinics, conducted field tests on 26 cats suffering from acute and chronic cat cold, which showed improvement in a large part of the animals.
- The improvement included both a reduction in the amount of the virus and symptoms specific to cat flu. Importantly, we did not observe any adverse effects - said Prof. Krzysztof Pyrć.
The Jagiellonian University announced that a product developed by UJ researchers will soon appear on the market, which will help in the treatment of cats with viral upper respiratory tract infection.
source: Ministry of Science and Higher Education
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