Feline parvovirus: contagion, symptoms and treatment
A feline or parvovirus is a virus that causes feline panleucopennia.This disease is quite serious and if left untreated it can end the cat’s life in a short period of time.It affects cats of all ages and is highly contagious.
- It is important to know the symptoms and above all protect your cat by vaccination.
- As this is the only method of prevention.
- Very small or unvaccinated kittens should avoid contact with other cats until they have all their vaccines up to date.
- So as not to contract one of the most common diseases in cats.
In this peritoAnimal article we tell you all about feline parvovirus, so you can recognize symptoms and act correctly in the face of an infection.
Feline parvovirus is a virus that causes so-called feline panleucopennia, a highly contagious and very dangerous disease for cats, also known as feline infectious enteritis, feline fever or feline ataxia.
The virus is present in the air and in the environment, so all cats at some point in their life will be exposed to it, it is important to vaccinate our cat against this disease, as it is very serious and can result in death.animal Don’t miss our article showing you the vaccination schedule for the cats to follow.
The incubation period of parvovirus in cats is 3 to 6 days, then the disease will progress for another 5 to 7 days, gradually worsening, a rapid diagnosis is essential to combat it.
Parvovirus affects normal cell division, causing damage to the bone marrow and intestines.it damages the immune system, causing a decrease in the number of white blood cells, essential for a response against the disease.Red blood cells also go down, causing anemia and weakness.
Sick cats must remain isolated because they are highly contagious, their feces, urine, secretions and even fleas contain the virus.
As already stated, the virus is in the environment. Although the cat is already cured, everything that has come into contact with it is infected, in addition, the virus is very resistant and can remain in the environment for months, in this way all the infected cat’s utensils must be cleaned: the box sand, toys and all the areas where he likes to lie down. You can use bleach diluted in water or consult your vet about professional disinfections.
A parvovirose felina não afeta o ser humano, mas deve os extremar a higiene para eliminar o vírus do ambiente. É recomendável manter afastados os gatos jovens, doentes ou não vacinados de gatos estranhos ou que tenham superado a doenças poucos meses antes.
Prevention is the best way to prevent contagion.Vaccinate your cat against parvovirus.
The most common symptoms of parvovirus in cats are
Vomiting and diarrhoea can be very severe and dehydrate your kitten very quickly, it is essential to act as soon as possible and take the cat to the vet when the first symptoms are observed, although it is not uncommon for a cat to vomit at any time.Over time, feline panleucopenia is characterized by constant vomiting and considerable weakness.
As with other viral diseases, there is no specific treatment for feline parvovirus, it cannot be cured, only compensate for symptoms and fight dehydration so that the cat can overcome the disease on its own.
Very small kittens or those with advanced diseases have a very low survival rate, when you notice symptoms of the disease go immediately to the vet.
It is usually necessary to hospitalize the cat in order to receive the proper treatment, to combat dehydration and lack of nutrients and, above all, to try to prevent the spread of other diseases, in addition to its body temperature will be kept under control.
Because feline parvovirus affects the immune system, infected cats are more likely to develop other bacterial or viral infections, so we insist on helping the veterinarian as well as extreme precautions to prevent the disease from getting worse.
When your cat comes home, have prepared a warm and comfortable place for him and give him many treats until he recovers. Once your feline has overcome the disease, you will be immune to it. But don’t forget to clean up all your belongings to avoid contagion to other cats.
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any type of diagnosis, we suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any condition or discomfort.
If you would like to read articles similar to, we recommend that you visit our Viral Diseases section.