Feline Calicivirus: A Common Cause of Cat Colds and Mouth Ulcers

In this guide

Feline calicivirus is one of the two viruses responsible for the great majority of upper respiratory infections in cats, and it has a few distinctive features that set it apart from a typical cat cold.

Typical symptoms

• Sneezing and nasal discharge
• Mild conjunctivitis and eye discharge
• Painful ulcers on the tongue, gums or nose, a hallmark feature that helps distinguish calicivirus from other respiratory infections
• Excessive drooling, often linked to the mouth ulcers
• Fever and reduced appetite
• Occasionally, joint pain and limping, sometimes called limping syndrome, more often seen in kittens

How severe it usually is

Most cats recover from calicivirus within five to ten days with supportive care, though more severe cases can take up to six weeks to fully resolve. A small number of cats go on to develop chronic mouth inflammation requiring long term management. A rare and far more dangerous form, called virulent systemic calicivirus, causes rapid, severe illness affecting multiple organs and requires immediate intensive veterinary care.

Treatment

There is no drug that kills the virus directly, so treatment is supportive, focusing on keeping the cat hydrated, comfortable and eating. This often includes fluid therapy, pain relief for the mouth ulcers, appetite stimulants, and antibiotics if a secondary bacterial infection develops. Warmed, soft, aromatic food is often easier for a cat with mouth ulcers to manage than dry kibble.

Prevention

The calicivirus vaccine is considered core for all cats and is usually given as part of the same combination vaccine that also protects against herpesvirus and panleukopenia. In India, this combination vaccine typically starts around six to eight weeks of age, with boosters every three to four weeks until about sixteen weeks old, followed by a booster at one year and then regular intervals after that as your vet advises. While vaccination does not guarantee a cat will never be infected, it significantly reduces the severity and duration of illness if exposure does occur. Limiting contact with unfamiliar cats, particularly in crowded settings such as shelters or catteries, and isolating a newly adopted cat for the first couple of weeks, both help reduce the risk of exposure.

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