Feline Parvovirus: This ugly disease is currently giving us a hard time in Parys

The specific virus that infects dogs does not infect cats, so cats can`t get feline parvo from dogs.
Maternal antibodies protect them for the first few weeks provided the mother has been
vaccinated.

By the age of to 12 weeks, this protection wanes, and the kittens become
vulnerable to the virus. Kittens from unvaccinated mother’s are fully vulnerable from birth.
The feline parvovirus is widespread in the environment, and almost all cats are exposed to it.
Apart from young kittens, sick cats and unvaccinated cats are most likely to get this disease.
Cats can get infected during pregnancy and give birth to brain-damaged kittens. These kittens
have difficulty walking and feeding.

The feline parvovirus attacks the cells in your cat`s intestines, which causes diarrhoea, vomiting,
and difficulty eating and drinking. It also attacks the bone marrow, causing shortages of red
blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

How Do Cats Get Parvo:
This virus is passed in poop, urine, and nasal secretions by cats who have the disease. The
virus can contaminate cages, bedding, dishes, and the hands and clothes of handler. The virus
can survive in the environment for months. Cat-to-cat passage of the feline parvovirus also
happens.

What Are the Symptoms of Parvo in Cats?
The feline parvovirus does not always cause symptoms. Some cats have the infection and no
visible disease.
• Lethargy and depression
• Frothing at the mouth or vomiting
• Watery discharge from the nose
• Fever in the early stages, followed by a low body temperature
• An inability to eat and drink.
The disease can progress in severity and lead to death. Sometimes, a cat may have no
symptoms but die suddenly.

Cats usually only pass the parvovirus in their stools for two days or so after they are infected.
But some cats go on excreting this virus for up to six weeks. Carrier cats can infect the
environment and other cats living with them. Unvaccinated and kittens from unvaccinated cats
are highly susceptible.
A diagnosis can be made by testing stool from a sick cat by a simple snap test.

What Is the Treatment for Cat Parvovirus?
There are no medicines that can kill this virus. Good supportive care with intravenous fluids,
nutrient, and antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infection may help your cat survive.
Older cats have a better chance of surviving.

How Do You Prevent Cat Parvovirus:
Your veterinarian will usually advise you to start vaccination at the age of 6 or 9 weeks. Two or
three doses, three to four weeks apart, are recommended. The last of these should not be
before the age of 16 weeks. A follow-up dose at 26 to 52 weeks is now recommended.
Adult cats can also get the feline parvovirus. You must remember to give the booster doses of
the vaccine regularly ie annually. Vaccines are readily available and are very effective.

If one of your cats has a feline parvovirus infection, they must be isolated from other cats. Their
litter box must be cleaned and disinfected regularly. The feline parvovirus can survive in the
environment for many months, so you must disinfect your entire home to keep your other cat
pets safe. If your other cats are not vaccinated, they are at a high risk and should be vaccinated
as soon as possible.

Please contact your vet for more information of an appointment to vaccinate your cat.