Cat parvo or Feline panleukopenia is one of the deadly viruses that affect cats leading to symptoms like diarrhea, fever, and even vomiting. It is undoubtedly a serious disease and can even affect kittens. Moreover, it can even take the life of these tiny creatures. Cat parvo is also known as feline distemper. There is a difference between the parvo in cats and dogs and should not be confused with each other.
What exactly is the meaning of Parvo in Cats?
Cat parvo is mainly a common disease in cats. Feline Parvovirus is the one that leads to this condition. However, it is seen in kittens and the condition gets severe when left untreated. Kittens, during birth time, get antibodies from the mother, which protects them for up to twelve weeks. However, once the effect fades, they get susceptible and open to this dangerous virus. Cats between three to five months of age get affected by feline parvo.
Although the disease is deadly, it happens widely like common cough and cold in humans. Almost every exposed cat can get this virus. Keeping aside the young kittens, sick and unvaccinated cats are susceptible to this disease. Parvo-infected cats, during pregnancy, give birth to kittens with brain damage. As a result, it becomes difficult for the mother cats to feed them. Moreover, the kittens face difficulty in walking.
Feline Parvovirus mainly attacks the intestinal cells of the cats. Hence, it leads to diarrhea, vomiting, and difficulty in drinking and eating. Furthermore, in severe cases it also targets the bone marrow, causing a shortage of RBC, WBC, and platelets.
How do Cats get the Virus?
The virus mainly spreads through poop, nasal secretions, and urine of the cats, especially the ones suffering from the disease. Feline parvo is contagious and can contaminate any surface. Cages, dishes, bedding, cloth hangers, everything can be affected due to the virus. Besides, the virus from other cats can also affect the uninfected but exposed ones. Did you know, the parvovirus is powerful enough to survive in the environment for a month? Therefore, even if your cat doesn’t come in contact with an infected one, it can still get affected.
Are you aware that the virus can transfer from cat to cat? However, this mostly happens in houses having more than one cat, pet shops, cat shelters, and other places.
What are the symptoms of Cat Parvo?
Feline parvovirus has certain significant symptoms. However, you won’t be able to notice them every time. Some cats even get the virus without any visible symptoms. However, a few common symptoms of the disease include.
- Extreme lethargy and severe depression.
- Frothing in the mouth or even extreme vomiting.
- Continuous runny discharge from the nose.
- Fever in the initial stage. However, later on, the body temperature drops.
- Bloody or watery stool leading to diarrhea.
- No urge to eat or drink.
The worst part is the virus can quickly spread, causing death in extreme cases, if left untreated. Some cats don’t even show any symptoms and die. Normally, cats excrete the virus through stools for one to two days after getting infected. However, many continue excreting the virus for up to six weeks. As a result, it contaminates the environment. One of the noteworthy symptoms of the virus is your cat sitting in front of food and water, but unable to eat or drink.
How to diagnose?
Unfortunately, the virus is hard to diagnose. Besides, the symptoms vary- mild disease, fatal illness, etc. If you do some research, you will find that the symptoms are similar to salmonella or campylobacter infection. Proper vaccination of the cats also prevents the disease. Therefore, if your cats haven’t been vaccinated, they will be prone to the virus. Vets ask for stool and blood collection to test for the disease. Blood with low levels of pancytopenia is a sign of feline parvovirus.
What is the ideal treatment?
It is impossible to stop the virus attack. However, the ideal way to prevent this is proper vaccination. Vets suggest vaccination at an early age (between eight to nine weeks). A frequent interval of three to four weeks (2 to 3 doses) is recommended. Besides, the follow-up doses are also mandatory between 26-52 weeks. Did you know, adult cats are also vulnerable to the parvovirus? Hence, a booster dose is compulsory for them too.
Final words
Taking care of the pets is the priority, especially to prevent any virus attack. Therefore, it is necessary to vaccinate them at the earliest to prevent the parvovirus. Take note of these symptoms and visit the nearby vet before the condition of your cat gets worse.