Symptoms & Treatment of Feline Distemper: What You Need

Canine Distemper, also known as Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV), is a highly contagious and potentially lifethreatening virus. This illness affects the blood cells in the intestines, bone marrow, and stem cells. It can also lead to anemia and other viral and bacterial diseases. Particularly, kittens, pregnant cats, and those with weakened immune systems are most susceptible to the virus. Without treatment, infected cats have a 90% chance of dying.

Symptoms of Canine Distemper

Cats infected with the virus may exhibit one or more symptoms, such as frequent vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools, dehydration, runny nose, and a loss of appetite. They may also appear listless and depressed.

Causes of Canine Distemper

After a cat is infected with the virus, it can be found in high concentrations in the vomit, feces, urine, saliva, nasal and eye discharges of the sick cat. Even after recovery, the virus can be excreted in the feces and urine for several weeks to over a year. These excretions and secretions can contaminate food, water, utensils, or the environment, leading to widespread transmission of the virus. The virus can also be spread by contact with contaminated items, such as dishes, bedding, or everyday objects. For instance, if a person unknowingly touches an infected cat and fails to thoroughly clean their hands and clothing, they may transmit the virus to another cat.

This is why some indoor cats may still contract the virus despite never going outside. Additionally, if a pregnant queen cat carries the virus, her kittens may become infected through the womb or via her milk.

The virus is resistant to disinfectants and can survive on contaminated surfaces for years. Canine Distemper is common in areas with many cats, such as catteries, pet stores, and feral cat colonies. Similar to the human flu virus, the strain changes annually, and survival rates vary. The virus does not spread between cats and dogs, nor does it infect humans.

Diagnosis of Canine Distemper

The symptoms of Canine Distemper can be similar to those of other diseases, leading to misdiagnosis as poisoning or ingestion of foreign objects. To avoid misdiagnosis, pet owners should provide detailed descriptions of any recent activities that may have led to the illness. Laboratory tests, including complete blood counts, biochemical profiles, urine analysis, and fecal sample analysis, should be conducted. However, if a cat has been vaccinated within 512 days before testing, falsepositive results may occur.

Treatment of Canine Distemper

There is no medication that can completely cure Canine Distemper. Depending on the cat's condition, they may need to stay in a veterinary hospital overnight for observation and intravenous fluids. The virus can damage a cat's immune system, so veterinarians may administer antiviral drugs through intravenous injections to help the cat fight the virus within its body.

Treatment for infected cats focuses on boosting their immune system and providing relief from symptoms to alleviate pain. Ensuring adequate nutrition and maintaining a comfortable environment can help cats better survive the critical period.

Prevention is Better than Cure

Vaccinating cats is crucial, as vaccinated cats develop antibodies that can provide immunity, though not 100% protection against the virus. It significantly reduces the likelihood of cats contracting Canine Distemper. If you're unsure about your cat's immunity to various viruses, it's advisable to have them tested for antibodies and then receive targeted booster shots based on the results.

Home Care

After discharge, pet owners must take careful care of their cats. If there are other cats in the home, they should be isolated to prevent further spread of the virus. Ensure that the cat eats small, frequent meals. If the cat refuses to eat or has a poor appetite, pet owners can use a syringe to feed the cat water or goat's milk. Provide a quiet, warm resting area, and place food, water, and a litter box nearby so the cat can meet its basic needs without exerting itself. Keep children and other animals away from the cat to avoid overstimulation.

Other Precautions

It's essential for pet owners to maintain cleanliness in daily life, as the Canine Distemper virus is highly contagious and can linger on surfaces for a long time. If a cat in the household is diagnosed with Canine Distemper, thoroughly clean the home with bleach and replace the cat's items before the cat is discharged from the hospital.