What can you explain about calicivirus? We scooped a cat from outside and (amongst other things), she came out positive for calicivirus, but they didn't explain too much what it entailed since the other stuff was far more urgent. (As a note, she's our only cat, so there's no risk of infecting other animals)
ok, so for most cats, it's not a huge deal. They contract it, get over it, get on with their lives. It's an extremely common infection that typically presents similarly to the common cold. Runny nose, runny eyes, cough, sneezing, fever that sort of thing.
But it can be way, WAY worse. It's usually worse for kittens, because they've got no immune system yet, and the elderly who haven't experienced it before because, again, no immune system. Usually I see oral ulcers. These can be extremely painful and prevent a cat from eating. Typically, owners notice an incredibly foul-smelling drool and lack of appetite.
Rarely, cats may present with bloody noses, faces, or swollen limbs, which are very severe symptoms. These are symptoms of a particularly severe strain that can cause liver damage.
Since it can be easily prevented (or at least have the severity reduced) with a core vaccine (the FVRCP vaccine), it's best to vaccinate. There's no cure for calicivirus---- all you can do is manage the symptoms until the cat's immune system perks up. Typically, this includes sub-q fluids, an appetite stimulant, and pain meds to control the pain. Vaporizers can help reduce swelling and clear the passages and a good anti-mucosal drug can help as well.
It's also fairly common for cats to contract the virus and become carriers for it but not show symptoms. Other cats may present a positive test just because they've been exposed to it in the past.
