My new cat has feline herpes. Will my other cats get it later?

Question

I adopted a cat yesterday who has an upper respiratory infection they said problably feline herpes. They gave her antibiotic shot and weve kept her quarantined from my other cats. After she gets better can my other cats still catch it from her? How serious is this? Thanks. Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 10 years and 4 months old | 8.8 lbs

Sara Farmer, DVM · Accepted Answer

Many cats have upper respiratory infections especially when they are coming from a shelter situation. There are several viruses and bacteria that can cause similar signs, and cats are usually contagious for two weeks or so from the onset of signs. Viral infections can sometimes cause recurrent outbreaks throughout the cats life (herpesvirus is the most common) so if the new cat becomes symptomatic again your other cats could be at risk in the future, but many cats do not have recurrent symptoms. The FVRCP vaccine protects against the most common viruses, so if your cats are vaccinated they are at less risk for infection. How serious a respiratory infection is depends on the patient - by far the vast majority of cats recover quickly without complications and do not have recurrent symptoms but very occasionally a young or immunocompromised cat can develop secondary pneumonia or chronic symptoms.

My new cat has feline herpes. Will my other cats get it later?

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