Most of us love and treasure our pets as friends and family members. To some of us, they are our family. The last thing we'd ever want to do is pass on the herpes virus to them. But is this even possible? Can pets contract HSV?
Cats
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR) is a feline-specific infectious herpes virus disease that only causes infections in domestic and wild cats. It doesn't cause illness in humans. But, like humans, herpes can reactivate in cats when they are overly stressed. 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, and licking).
Should your cat contract FVR, L-lysine supplements and nasal decongestants are available over the counter. You can expect the worst symptoms, such as a runny nose and sneezing, to last 7 to 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, as it helps break down mucus in the tiny nasal passages. However, cats lack the systemic and dietary enzymes necessary to break down essential oils, and your cat could die if you use essential oils in a humidifier. Therefore, 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 two to three times daily.
Cats don't eat or drink because they lose their sense 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 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(s) gently. You might also wipe your cat's nose because mucus can become sticky in the nasal passages. Feline herpes can also cause a condition of the eyes called Conjunctivitis ("itis" means inflammation). I've provided a video below for all-natural suggestions. If your cat's eyes show no improvement after a few days, please consult your veterinarian, especially if a yellow or green discharge (indicating pus) develops, which is a sign of a severe infection.
Should your familiar get an eye infection from the herpes virus, you can use Polysporin drops (an antibiotic solution) in your cat's eyes. Terramycin, an antibiotic ointment, is also available over-the-counter. However, Terramycin may cause dangerous side effects in cats. I have yet to find the Polysporin Eye Drops in the United States, but you can order the product from Canada. It takes about two weeks to receive it in the mail. 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 loss of an eye.
If your cat has a fever (characterized by hot ears and nose), please consult a veterinarian for antibiotics to reduce the risk of secondary infections, such as pneumonia. In this case, using antibiotics is the best option.
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
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, L-lysine supplements and canine nasal decongestants can be beneficial for dogs. Never use human medications to treat animals.
Unlike cats, dogs can break down essential oils in flea treatments and similar products. However, you'll want to purchase a product specifically designed for dogs or consult a veterinarian specializing in essential oil treatments for canines.
You can treat your dog's eye infection with Terramycin, an antibiotic ointment mentioned above for cats. While cats may experience adverse side effects, dogs seem to tolerate it reasonably well. Still, do your research and always exercise caution when administering your pet's medications.
Fish
Even fish get herpes. However, the Koi Herpes Virus (KHV), 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 can be toxic to fish, adding essential oils to your tank water may be tempting. Don't! Like many medications, essential oils can also be poisonous to your fish and kill them. Some are even used to euthanize them. So what to do? Buy only products specifically designed for fish, but read reviews carefully before making a purchase.
Macaque Monkeys
Herpes B Virus (also known as Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1, herpesvirus simiae, and Macacine herpesvirus 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 contract the B virus if they are bitten or scratched by an infected macaque monkey or come into contact with the monkey's bodily fluids, such as its eyes, nose, or mouth. There has only been one documented case of an infected person transmitting the B virus to another person (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, there are several herpes viruses with a certainly 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 gammaherpesviruses must be considered a zoonotic threat ( https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2815145/)."
Birds
Yes. Birds can contract herpes viruses from other birds through direct contact (for example, from parent birds), the air (due to respiratory secretions from other birds), contaminated drinking water, shared food, and contaminated environments. Pigeons, chickens, and owls come to mind, but there are also different species. 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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