Parvo in cats is also referred to as feline distemper and feline panleukopenia. Feline parvovirus attacks the cells in your cat’s intestines, which causes diarrhea, vomiting, and difficulty eating and drinking. It also attacks the bone marrow, causing shortages of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
What Is Parvo in Cats?
The illness brought on by the feline parvovirus is known by the term “parvo.” The illness is most common and severe in kittens. At birth, most kittens have antibodies from their mother. These antibodies protect them for the first few weeks. By the time the kittens are 4 to 12 weeks old, this defense has worn off and they are susceptible to the virus.
Most cats with feline parvo are between three and five months old. The feline parvovirus is a common environmental pathogen that nearly all cats encounter. The majority of cats who contract this disease are unvaccinated and sick cats, with the exception of young kittens.
Pregnant cats may contract the virus and give birth to kittens with brain damage. These kittens have difficulty walking and feeding.
The feline parvovirus damages the intestinal cells in your cat, resulting in vomiting, diarrhea, and trouble eating and drinking. Additionally, it targets the bone marrow, resulting in deficiencies of platelets, white blood cells, and red blood cells.
How Do Cats Get Parvo?
Cats with the illness transmit this virus through their urine, nasal secretions, and feces. The virus can infect dishes, bedding, cages, handlers’ hands, and clothing. Fleas from other infected cats can also infect your cat. Your cat may contract this illness without ever coming into contact with another sick cat because the virus can live in the environment for months.
Cat-to-cat passage of the feline parvovirus also happens. This is more common in homes with multiple cats, animal shelters, pet stores, and other settings where multiple cats coexist.
How Do You Prevent Cat Parvovirus?
Vaccinations are the best method of keeping your cat safe. Typically, your veterinarian will suggest that you begin vaccinations when your pet is 8 or 9 weeks old. It is advised to take two or three doses, separated by three to four weeks. The final one shouldn’t be done any earlier than sixteen weeks. These days, a follow-up dosage between 26 and 52 weeks is advised.
Adult cats can also get the feline parvovirus. Don’t forget to administer the vaccine’s booster doses on a regular basis. There are highly effective live and killed vaccines available.
Your cat needs to be kept apart from the other cats if they have feline parvovirus. Their litter box must be cleaned and disinfected regularly. Because the feline parvovirus can endure in the environment for several months, you need to sanitize your whole house in order to protect your other pets. The rest of your cats are very vulnerable if they haven’t had their shots.
FAQ
How do I tell if my cat has parvo?
How do you treat parvo in cats?
How long do cats live with parvo?
Can cats get parvo from a dog?