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Cat Distemper Symptoms – Feline Distemper
Feline Distemper (FVP) is an extremely contagious virus with a
high mortality rate, which often targets kittens. Areas with large
populations of unvaccinated cats, such as feral colonies or homes
of “cat collectors,” are particularly susceptible to distemper
outbreaks.
How is Feline Distemper Transmitted?
The Feline Distemper (FVP) virus is extremely hardy and may
survive for months, and even years. It is easily transmitted
through contact, either cat-to-cat, or by cat-to-human-to-cat:
-- Shared food and water bowls, litter pans, bedding
-- Mutual grooming
-- Fleas
-- In utero, from an infected mother at
Human handling can transfer the FVP virus from one cat to
another, by contact through hands, clothing, and shoes.
Therefore, if you’re feeding a stray cat outside, and that cat is
carrying the distemper virus, it is possible for you to track the
germs into your house on the bottom of your shoes and expose
your indoor cat to the disease.
What Are the Symptoms of Feline Distemper?
The initial symptoms of feline distemper are also found with many
other diseases, and always indicate the need for a veterinary
examination:
-- Vomiting
-- Diarrhea
-- Depression
-- Lack of appetite
-- Not drinking water
-- Appearance of the third eyelid in the inner corner of the eye
-- Lack of grooming, evidenced by dull, rough coat
-- Evidence of abdominal pain
-- A hunched over posture
Prevention of Feline Distemper
When born to a mother cat with FPV antibodies, kittens will have a
natural immunity for the first eight to ten weeks. After that period,
vaccinations should be started. The FPV vaccine is often
combined with other vaccines, which also include protection
against feline herpes virus 1 and feline calicivirus. Kittens receive
a series of follow-up vaccines, and all adult cats should be
vaccinated every one to three years for FCV, depending on the
kind of vaccine used. The FPV vaccine is not recommended for
kittens under eight weeks of age, since their natural immunity may
interfere with the efficacy of the FPV vaccine. An FVP antiserum
can be used to immunize kittens under eight weeks, which have
been exposed to the FPV virus, and also for older, unprotected
cats who have been exposed.
Preventing Further Outbreaks
Since the FPV virus is so hardy and can persist in the
environment for months or years, a thorough disinfection of the
entire premises needs to be made after an outbreak of feline
distemper in a home shared by cats. The only disinfectant
presently known to be effective is a dilute bleach solution of 1:9
(one part bleach to nine parts water). Although feline distemper is
considered a “dread disease” of cats, with routine vaccinations,
isolation of cats new to the household until they have been tested
and vaccinated, and routine sanitary precautions, the average
multi-cat household should remain safe from this disease.
Feline Distemper (FVP) is an extremely contagious virus with a
high mortality rate, which often targets kittens. Areas with large
populations of unvaccinated cats, such as feral colonies or homes
of “cat collectors,” are particularly susceptible to distemper
outbreaks.
How is Feline Distemper Transmitted?
The Feline Distemper (FVP) virus is extremely hardy and may
survive for months, and even years. It is easily transmitted
through contact, either cat-to-cat, or by cat-to-human-to-cat:
-- Shared food and water bowls, litter pans, bedding
-- Mutual grooming
-- Fleas
-- In utero, from an infected mother at
Human handling can transfer the FVP virus from one cat to
another, by contact through hands, clothing, and shoes.
Therefore, if you’re feeding a stray cat outside, and that cat is
carrying the distemper virus, it is possible for you to track the
germs into your house on the bottom of your shoes and expose
your indoor cat to the disease.
What Are the Symptoms of Feline Distemper?
The initial symptoms of feline distemper are also found with many
other diseases, and always indicate the need for a veterinary
examination:
-- Vomiting
-- Diarrhea
-- Depression
-- Lack of appetite
-- Not drinking water
-- Appearance of the third eyelid in the inner corner of the eye
-- Lack of grooming, evidenced by dull, rough coat
-- Evidence of abdominal pain
-- A hunched over posture
Prevention of Feline Distemper
When born to a mother cat with FPV antibodies, kittens will have a
natural immunity for the first eight to ten weeks. After that period,
vaccinations should be started. The FPV vaccine is often
combined with other vaccines, which also include protection
against feline herpes virus 1 and feline calicivirus. Kittens receive
a series of follow-up vaccines, and all adult cats should be
vaccinated every one to three years for FCV, depending on the
kind of vaccine used. The FPV vaccine is not recommended for
kittens under eight weeks of age, since their natural immunity may
interfere with the efficacy of the FPV vaccine. An FVP antiserum
can be used to immunize kittens under eight weeks, which have
been exposed to the FPV virus, and also for older, unprotected
cats who have been exposed.
Preventing Further Outbreaks
Since the FPV virus is so hardy and can persist in the
environment for months or years, a thorough disinfection of the
entire premises needs to be made after an outbreak of feline
distemper in a home shared by cats. The only disinfectant
presently known to be effective is a dilute bleach solution of 1:9
(one part bleach to nine parts water). Although feline distemper is
considered a “dread disease” of cats, with routine vaccinations,
isolation of cats new to the household until they have been tested
and vaccinated, and routine sanitary precautions, the average
multi-cat household should remain safe from this disease.
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