Feline Distemper (Feline Panleukopenia) Symptoms and Treatments

Feline distemper relates only to cats and is not transmissible to dogs or humans.

Feline distemper is transmitted by both direct contact with an infected animal or though its secretions or feces and can also be picked up from bedding or clothing that has been in contact with an infected animal. The virus is able to survive in dry conditions for up to a year and is resistant to most cleansers and disinfectants; it is very hard to eradicate from the home once it has taken hold. If your cat does contract feline distemper you would therefore be unwise to bring another cat into the home for at least a year afterwards - it is extremely contagious and is unfortunately completely incurable.

It can also be carried by fleas, and flea control is an essential precaution to prevent infection from fleas who may have been feeding on other hosts. Careful and regular grooming is essential to check for any fleas on the skin and to keep an eye on the cat's general condition and pick up any signs of disease.

Kittens are particularly susceptible even though the first eight weeks or so they are protected by their natural immunity passed on by the queen, but they may even contract feline distemper from the queen whilst in the uterus. They are unlikely to live for long once they are born as this is a real onslaught of disease and they're just not yet strong enough to withstand it. Often kittens who contract distemper in the womb will be born stillborn or in an advanced state of critical illness.

Once a cat contracts the virus it will display a high fever and will lose appetite. There will be severe dehydration and the cat will be lethargic and look very sick. The onset is very quick and should your cat show any signs of illness you should take him to the veterinary surgery as soon as possible.

Diagnosis will be confirmed by taking a history of the cat's signs and symptoms, checking its vaccination record and carrying out blood tests.

The only treatment that can be given is palliative in order to give the best nursing care to the cat as his condition inevitably deteriorates, and this will be in the form of intravenous therapy to replace lost body fluids and antibiotics to treat and secondary bacterial infections. He will need very careful handling and scrupulous hygiene should be observed so as not to infect any other cats that you may have in the home.

The only really effective treatment is prevention, and the feline distemper (feline infectious enteritis aka panleukopenia ) vaccine, should be given at your cat's normal vaccination regime. As with other illness prevention, regular boosters and flea control is critical in reducing the likelihood of your cat contracting the disease.

Next article: Feline Calicivirus Symptoms and Treatments