Introduction
Dealing with ill cats is a common concern among pet owners. Those felines infected with deadly infections, such as feline parvovirus, are of particular concern. However, the question Can cats get parvo? often arises, especially when symptoms like high fevers, vomiting, and diarrhea occur. This severe sickness goes by many names: feline panleukopenia, feline infectious enteritis (FIE), and feline distemper.
In addition, the infection may cause serious complications in cats, potentially leading to severe sickness or even death if left untreated. This infection is more frequent in cats and dogs and may be deadly, causing a decrease in white blood cell count due to the separate viruses known as canine parvovirus and distemper.
A variant of canine parvovirus may infect felines, but dogs cannot get parvovirus from cats. Therefore, it is critical to consult with a vet if you notice any symptoms that might indicate an infection.
The Feline Parvovirus
While cats don’t catch canine parvovirus, they can contract feline parvovirus, also known as feline panleukopenia, causing severe gastrointestinal symptoms and potentially being fatal if not treated promptly.
What Is Parvo?
The feline parvovirus is among the most dangerous and easily spreadable viruses. When it infects cats, parvovirus kills cells that are dividing rapidly. In addition, it has negative effects on the intestines, bone marrow, and growing fetuses in pregnant cats. A family of very small viruses is often known as parvovirus.
Feline parvovirus is also known as feline panleukopenia (FPL) or feline distemper. Another sort of feline parvovirus that produces a significant decrease in white blood cell counts is feline panleukopenia, which is extremely contagious.
How Does Parvo Affect Cats?
The feline parvovirus causes a condition known as parvo. Kittens are the most prevalent and worst hit by this disease. Moreover, breast milk antibodies are present in the majority of newborn kittens. Therefore, these antibodies shield them from harm during the first few weeks. Kittens lose this defense between weeks 4 and 12, making them more susceptible to the illness.
Kittens between three and five months old are the most susceptible to feline parvovirus. The feline parvovirus is a common environmental pathogen that almost every cat will encounter. Further, this illness is most often acquired by unvaccinated cats, sick cats, and young kittens.
Kittens born to infected mothers might have neurological abnormalities. Both walking and eating are challenges for these young kitties.
Diarrhea, vomiting, and an inability to eat or drink are symptoms of feline parvovirus, which affects cells in your cat’s intestines. It also targets the bone marrow, leading to insufficiency in platelets, white blood cells, and red blood cells.
What Causes Parvo in Cats?
Cats who are sick transmit the virus via their feces, urine, and nasal secretions. Cages, beds, tableware, and even handlers’ hands and clothing may get infected with the virus. Your cat might get fleas from another sick cat. Therefore, you do not need to expose your cat to an infected cat for it to get the sickness; the virus may live in the air for months.
Another way that feline parvovirus might spread is from cat to cat. It is more common in settings where several cats coexist, such as homes, shelters, and pet stores.
Signs of Parvo in Cats
The first thing you should be aware of is that your cat may not always show signs of parvovirus infection. A virus-infected cat can pass very abruptly, showing no symptoms whatsoever.
Cat parvovirus often manifests in kittens, unvaccinated cats, or cats who have not yet received their entire vaccination series, typically between the ages of three and five months. These are some of the most common signs of parvovirus infection in cats:
- Feeling nauseous
- Blood in the looseness of the bowels
- With a frothy tongue
- Minor illness
- Hydration Loss
- Depressive disorder
- Lack of hunger
- Lethargy
- Dull, rough coat
- Green/yellow eye and nose discharge
- Loss of skin elasticity
Sitting still in front of its food and water bowls, your cat may drink very little or not drink anything in the parvovirus’s early stages. Your cat’s temperature may fluctuate between normal and dangerously low as the infection develops and worsens.
Your cat urgently needs veterinary attention because this is a potentially lethal sign. There is currently no cure for parvovirus; however, if you see any of these symptoms in your cat, it is critical to take it to the doctor immediately so the illness does not spread and kills, particularly in kittens.
Symptoms of Feline Parvovirus Infection
Feline parvo, or feline panleukopenia, typically presents with severe gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, often accompanied by lethargy, fever, and sudden weight loss. If left untreated, it can lead to severe dehydration and be potentially fatal.
What Measures Can I Take to Prevent Parvovirus in My Cat?
Vaccinating your cat against feline parvovirus is the best course of action. You may begin the vaccination process when your baby is 8 or 9 weeks old. Because feline parvovirus is so lethal to newborn kittens, it is important to start protecting them as soon as possible.
The recommended intervals between vaccines are three to four weeks. The last immunization is typically administered at 16 weeks, with a recommended follow-up dose anywhere from 26 to 52 weeks.
Treatment and Diagnosis of Parvo in Cats
Feline parvovirus symptoms vary and are often mistaken for those of other diseases, making a diagnosis difficult. Infections such as pancreatitis, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), and campylobacter or salmonella are examples of such diseases.
Due to the high prevalence of the cat parvovirus, prompt veterinary attention is essential. The vet will check the cat’s blood and feces for signs of this illness. If parvovirus is present, the stool test results may show it. One of the hallmarks of parvovirus is a decreased variety of blood cell types; further testing confirms this finding.
Although there is no cure, your cat may fight it off with supportive care. To help avoid a subsequent bacterial infection, your doctor will give your pet supportive fluids, nutrition, and antibiotics. Although older cats have a better chance of recovery with early treatment, the chances of a full recovery are slim for kittens under eight weeks.
Conclusion
Both adult cats and unvaccinated kittens are at risk of death from the extremely infectious feline parvovirus. On the other hand, if you vaccinate your cat regularly, you will give them the fighting chance they need against this infection. Be careful to take your cat in for checkups at the vet regularly so that you can learn to recognize the signs of cat parvo as soon as they appear.
