Can Kittens Get Parvo Virus

The parvo virus in dogs is very closely related to the virus panleukopenia.

Can kittens get parvo virus. It is one of the deadliest viruses to cats. So yes cats can get parvo if they are exposed to feces of an infected animal. Very young kittens or those with an advanced stage of the disease have a very low survival rate. The parvovirus in dogs is also very closely associated with the herpes virus panleukopenia.

Both viruses stem cells. The virus that causes distemper in cats. Cats and dogs have their own separate species specific parvovirus strains. Cats get feline distemper via the parvovirus.

The cat strain called feline panleukopenia virus fpv is a significant disease threat amongst the feline community but it cannot be transferred to canines. It cannot be cured and the only thing you can do is reduce and ease the symptoms and counteract dehydration so that the cat overcomes the disease on its own. Like many viruses parvo in cats has different strains varying in deadliness. However once your cat gets parvo survival rates are grim.

The best way to protect your cat against parvo and fpv is to have them vaccinated. How to diagnose and treat parvo in cats is rather simple with lab tests and antibiotics but you must act quickly. While not the same as canine parvovirus it is referred to as parvo due to the similar symptoms. Once your cat has contracted fpv and lived to tell the tale it is unlikely that they will catch it again.

Queens who are pregnant and unvaccinated can easily spread the virus to her unborn kittens which can lead to abortion or the virus may spread to the kitten s brain which may lead to an inability of the cerebellum to develop properly. Parvovirus can even affect unborn kittens while they are still in the womb. The herpes virus which leads to distemper in cats. You might have heard of feline parvovirus parvo referred to as panleukopenia or feline distemper fpv.

In other words parvo can t propagate into cats. Cats are most susceptible as kittens from 4 to 12 weeks of age or even as unvaccinated adults. It s a life threatening disease for cats because it causes severe anemia which then weakens the immune system and leaves your cat vulnerable to viral and bacterial infections. Symptoms range from fever severe dehydration diarrhea and vomiting.

Both viruses attack cells within the pet s bone marrow. Yes parvo in cats is transmissible to other unvaccinated cats. Adult cats who get parvo have a better chance of surviving than kittens. Just like other viral diseases there is no specific treatment for feline parvovirus.

In other words canine parvo cannot spread to cats. Any unvaccinated cat can get parvovirus. Overall up to 90 percent of cats who get parvo and are not treated will die. The video below shows just how bad parvovirus can affect cats.