Feline distemper is a dangerous cat viral infection that is preventable. This condition is sometimes called feline panleukopenia or feline panleuk. The feline distemper virus is related to the virus that causes distemper in dogs.
The name feline distemper is misleading since cat diseases do not change the cat’s temperament or cause cat aggression. The common symptoms of feline distemper are vomiting, abdominal pain, and bloody diarrhea.
The cat’s white blood cells typically decrease significantly due to feline distemper. The cat may develop a high fever.
Depression and loss of appetite are common symptoms of feline distemper. Cats infected with feline distemper may stop grooming themselves. The haw, or third eyelid, may be able to be seen in the corner of the eye.
This disease can be transmitted from cat to cat by shared objects such as bedding, litter boxes, or water bowls. Cats can contaminate each other by mutual grooming. Fleas can also spread this cat disease.
If a person handles a cat with feline distemper and then handles a non-infected cat, the non-infected cat can become infected. Kittens can acquire feline distemper from their mothers before birth.
Though kittens born to mothers with the antibodies have a natural immunity to the virus that causes feline distemper, this immunity is temporary. The temporary immunity to feline distemper lasts about eight weeks. In order to be protected, the kitten needs to receive the appropriate vaccines.
If a cat has feline distemper, it is at risk of dying from the disease unless the cat’s immune system can fight off the viral infection. The only treatment for feline distemper treats the diarrhea and vomiting but it does not fight the viral infection.
If a cat in the household or other living condition with other cats develops feline distemper, the entire area needs to be disinfected with bleach to reduce the risk of spreading the disease to the other cats. If the area is not thoroughly disinfected, unvaccinated cats are at risk for contracting the disease even if the infected cat has been removed from the environment years earlier.
