The health of cats is a major concern for pet owners, isn’t it? That’s why vaccination is so important at different stages of a cat’s life. It protects against several diseases, including feline parvovirus .
You may also know the disease as feline panleukopenia. It is serious and has symptoms that appear quickly in the animal’s body. Keep reading to learn how to keep your feline away from the virus that causes it!
Form of contamination
What is feline parvovirus? This is a serious disease caused by the feline parvovirus. It is related to the canine parvovirus, which causes the condition in dogs. Dogs and cats have similar symptoms.
One of the main characteristics of feline parvovirus is its contagious nature. As the virus is highly contagious, it is very common for kittens that live together to become infected at the same time.
Form of contagion
Transmission usually occurs through direct contact with feces, urine, vomit, saliva, and even fleas from another animal that already has the virus. This infected animal may or may not have symptoms. If you are wondering whether feline parvovirus can be transmitted to humans , know that it cannot. The disease is not a zoonosis.
Young kittens, under 1 year old, are the most affected by parvovirus . The virus that causes feline panleukopenia is very resistant in the environment. Therefore, it is very easy to transmit.
Onset of symptoms
It doesn’t take long from the moment of infection to the onset of parvovirus symptoms . In other words, the incubation period of the virus is very short. The signs of the disease are very clear, meaning it’s easy to tell that your cat isn’t feeling well.
So, what signs does your pet’s body give? The most common symptoms are listed below! If you notice any of these signs, take your pet to a veterinarian to confirm the diagnosis. Please note:
- vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- high fever;
- dehydration;
- apathy;
- lack of appetite;
- abdominal discomfort;
- pale mucous membranes.
Severity of feline parvovirus
The disease can be even more serious in some specific cases. Pregnant cats and kittens, for example, are more susceptible to developing advanced stages of the disease.
In the case of pregnant cats, the kittens are also at risk of contracting feline parvovirus. In this type of situation, they are born with tremors, many problems moving around, or may even die while still inside the mother cat’s belly.
Kittens can contract the disease and develop symptoms of varying severity. Parvovirus is so serious that, in many cases, the kitten dies without showing any symptoms.
Diagnosis of feline parvovirus
As the symptoms of the disease are similar to those of other illnesses, it is very important to take your cat to see a veterinarian as soon as you notice any signs.
The professional will physically assess the pet and possibly perform a blood count to check the condition of the pet’s immune system. In addition, the veterinarian may perform a quick test, such as a pregnancy test, to confirm the diagnosis of parvovirus in the kitten.
If the test is positive, it is important to act quickly. Puppies tend to become dehydrated quickly, which can worsen their health. Therefore, treatment should be started immediately.
Treatment and prevention of the disease
If you are wondering whether parvovirus can be cured , don’t worry. The disease can be cured, but it depends on prompt care and fast, effective treatment.
To achieve the animal’s complete recovery, antibiotics and supportive treatments, such as fluid therapy, are used. This procedure combats dehydration by replacing electrolytes and water in the body lost through diarrhea and vomiting.
Furthermore, it is very important that the entire environment frequented by the infected kitten is thoroughly cleaned. After all, the feline parvovirus virus is extremely resistant: it can remain alive for years.
Prevention of feline parvovirus
To prevent the disease in cats, you just need to take one simple step: vaccinate them . Yes, there is an option to combat feline panleukopenia! To get vaccinated, just ask your veterinarian to give you the quadruple vaccine.
With it, the kitten is protected not only against parvovirus, but also against other serious and fatal diseases. This simple gesture can save the life of your furry friend!
Cat health and well-being
All cat owners are concerned about their pet’s health. In this sense, prevention is always the best way. So, always keep your pet’s vaccination schedule up to date, okay?
Furthermore, to maintain good immunity, it is important to value health and well-being in your cat’s routine. Therefore, invest in good nutrition, playtime and regular visits to the vet.