Symptoms & Treatments for Feline Enteric Coronavirus
Did you know that a mother cat's colostrum is rich in IgG and IgA antibodies, which serve as a vital shield for her kittens? These antibodies provide essential protection, but as kittens grow older than five weeks, their antibody levels begin to decline, making them susceptible to infections. Cats around 12 weeks of age often exhibit symptoms of enteritis. Adult cats typically carry the infection silently. Infected cats and carriers can shed a significant amount of the virus in their feces. While most cats recover, the virus may persist in their bodies for up to 3 to 24 months without causing further illness. This condition does not lead to peritonitis, pleurisy, or granulomas.
When kittens are infected, symptoms typically appear within 3 to 6 days, including a lowgrade fever, intermittent vomiting, increased intestinal motility, and diarrhea that may contain fresh blood. White blood cell counts can drop below 50%. The kittens may also become lethargic, with swollen anal areas. In severe cases of enteritis, dehydration may occur, although the mortality rate remains low. The ileocolic lymph nodes may swell, the intestines may become edematous, and mucus may be present in the feces. In most cases, the entire intestinal tract can recover, except in particularly severe instances.
Treatment for this condition is usually not necessary, as the body can heal itself without the need for systemic therapy or antibiotics. In cases of severe enteritis and dehydration, prompt fluid replacement and nutritional support are crucial. Kittens younger than 5 weeks of age are protected by passive immunity and do not typically become infected. Kittens that have just been weaned may carry the infection silently, but if they come into contact with an infected cat, they can develop severe enteritis. It's important to keep cats of different ages separate, and to provide extra care after weaning to significantly reduce the incidence of this disease.
