Mary Allen
Feline distemper is one of the most dangerous cat diseases. Symptoms of the disease known as feline panleukopenia can vary. Nevertheless, it is important to recognize possible signs quickly – since the feline disease is often fatal, your cat must go to the vet immediately at the slightest suspicion. You can find out here which animals are particularly at risk and which alarm signals you need to watch out for.
Feline panleukopenia, or feline panleukopenia, is a highly contagious disease caused by the parvovirus and is particularly dangerous for young cats. However, it can also be fatal in adult and older cats. Unfortunately, young animals in particular often fall ill, as they can be infected by their mother before they are born if it is not vaccinated.
Cat Disease: Contagion & Incubation Period
In addition, outdoor cats who are not vaccinated against the disease can contract parvovirus from other cats. The infection occurs via the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose of the velvet paw. Where several cats meet, infection is more likely to occur, for example in animal shelters, animal boarding houses, or veterinary clinics. In addition to young cats and unvaccinated animals, cats with a weakened immune system, for example, due to a chronic underlying disease, are also, particularly at risk. Parasites such as fleas can also transmit the virus from animal to animal.
Caution! Indoor cats are not automatically protected from cat disease – the pathogen is very persistent and resistant so that it can survive for a long time on objects such as street shoes, food bowls, or litter boxes. It is, therefore, possible, for example, that you bring the parvovirus into the house from outside and your cat can then become infected indirectly. It is all the more important to have every cat vaccinated against feline panleukopenia as early as possible.
The first symptoms of the feline disease usually appear four to six days after infection. However, the incubation period can be as little as two days or as long as ten days in some cases. The parvovirus usually only affects cats, it is not known that humans are infected, and this special virus cannot be transmitted to dogs either – in which there is a similar pathogen that causes what is known as parvovirus.
Feline Disease Symptoms: How to Recognize a Sick Cat
When it comes to panleukopenia, every minute counts. The earlier the disease is discovered, the sooner the veterinarian can help the cat. An infected animal initially appears dull, listless, and apathetic. Nasal discharge and conjunctivitis can also occur. A sick cat will not eat, vomit frequently, and develop severe, often bloody, diarrhea. As the white blood cells (leukocytes) decrease significantly during the course of the disease, the animal’s defense mechanism is severely weakened. A high fever occurs, which can rise to over 40°C.
Cat Disease is Not Always the Same
However, the feline disease symptoms also depend on the course of the disease. The so-called peracute course is particularly treacherous. Vomiting and diarrhea do not usually occur here, in fact, the affected animal appears healthy and normal. Then suddenly the disease breaks out and death occurs within a few hours. In the acute course, the typical symptoms of the cat disease appear and the sick animal sits in one place for a long time with folded front paws and does not move from the spot. In the subacute course, the signs are not so clear, but diarrhea can become chronic.
Suspicion of Panleukopenia? Hurry to the Vet
Either way, the warning signs for feline flu are vague and may also indicate other diseases, such as toxoplasmosis or infection with the feline coronavirus. An immediate visit to the vet creates certainty – he will first make a tentative diagnosis if the affected cat belongs to the risk groups for panleukopenia (young animal or unvaccinated). He can then use various tests to confirm the diagnosis.
The sick cat is in great danger due to the completely messed up fluid balance. There is a risk of fatal dehydration. The vet will therefore give your pet fluids and vitamins for the immune system. Antibiotics are also used to prevent infections with bacteria that exploit the weakened immune system. Newborn cats can suffer brain damage from parvovirus infection or go blind from the disease if they survive. Therefore, pay close attention to any changes in your cat and always ask your veterinarian for advice if anything is unclear.