Feline Calicivirus: A Comprehensive Review

Feline Calicivirus (FCV) is a highly mutated RNA virus prevalent in domestic cats, with minimal risk of transmission to humans. It exhibits significant genetic and antigenic diversity, causing severe symptoms such as lingual ulcers, gingivitis, alopecia, and systemic issues like necrosis and pneumonia, leading to high mortality rates. Diagnosis is performed using RT-PCR and virus isolation, but the presence of antibodies, often due to vaccination, does not always indicate infection. Treatment is mainly supportive, with no specific antiviral drugs approved, though misuripine and nitazoxanide show laboratory efficacy. Vaccination, using inactivated or modified vaccines, is crucial for prevention, alongside maintaining hygiene and disinfection to control FCV spread.