Effective Treatment for Feline Distemper in Cats: Quick
Part 1: How Cat Distemper Spreads:
Typically, cat distemper is more prevalent in spring and spreads primarily through the bodily fluids of infected cats, such as their nasal and eye discharges, saliva, vomit, feces, and urine. Moreover, recovered cats that still carry the virus can transmit it via bloodsucking parasites like fleas, lice, and ticks. Pregnant cats can also pass the virus vertically to their offspring through the placenta, potentially causing malformations or stillbirths.
During the acute phase, the virus can be transmitted through the cat's excretions like vomit, urine, and feces. The distemper virus is quite resilient in the environment, surviving for extended periods and requiring a high temperature of 80 degrees Celsius for two hours to be deactivated. Healthy cats can become infected by coming into contact with the infected cat's litter, food bowls, water dishes, or by mutual grooming and licking. Therefore, it's crucial for pet owners to isolate sick cats immediately upon discovery.
Part 2: Treating Cat Distemper:
1. Ensure the cat's warmth. During treatment, it's important to keep the cat cozy, perhaps by adding an extra blanket to the cat bed and placing a hot water bottle for warmth.
2. If the cat is vomiting, it should be fasting. In this case, intravenous fluids can be used to replenish nutrients and fluids. For cats unable to receive IV fluids, a mixture of saline and glucose water can be administered at regular intervals.
3. Administering a serum containing antibodies against the distemper virus can also be effective. However, it's essential not to overuse or inject the serum for extended periods to avoid side effects.
4. As the cat begins to eat again, medications like lactase can aid in digestion and help regulate the cat's gastrointestinal system. If the cat is on other medications, it's best to wait about half an hour before administering these.
5. During the recovery phase, feed the cat small, frequent meals and avoid highprotein or hardtodigest foods.
Important Reminder: While cat distemper can be terrifying, early detection and prompt treatment offer hope for recovery. Pet owners should also ensure regular vaccinations for their cats, as prevention is the most effective measure. Remember, vaccination is the key to disease prevention.