Feline Distemper Symptoms

Feline distemper symptoms vary widely, so it is important to take a sick cat to the vet immediately for the correct diagnosis. Feline distemper is a fast acting virus that can kill kittens and cats within a few days. If your animal hasn't been vaccinated, it may be at risk for this sometimes fatal disease.

IV treatment at the vet's office.

Causes of Feline Distemper

Feline distemper is caused by a parvovirus. While there is a similar virus that causes distemper in dogs, a dog that has the virus cannot give it to a cat. The virus can be carried by the wind, other animals or on shoes and clothing worn in and out of the house. This means that any cat, even those kept indoors, is at risk for this disease. An infected animal will quickly fall ill as the virus invades its body. It affects the lymph nodes, bone marrow and the intestines.

When pregnant cats contract the virus, they may spontaneously abort the fetuses. Kittens that are carried to term may have brain defects. Common defects in these kittens include staggering and shaking. This condition is known as cerebellar hypoplasia. Adult cats may also become sterile after contracting the disease.

Common Feline Distemper Symptoms

When a cat has feline distemper, it may look like other ailments, although it is much more deadly. Symptoms include:

• Fatigue: A normally active cat will suddenly lack the energy to play and may lie down or sit on its haunches constantly.
• Loss of appetite: The animal will refuse to eat for more than several feedings.
• High fever: The cat will have a high fever, which will drop quickly before the onset of death.
• Dehydration: If you gently pull up and pinch the skin on the back of the neck, it will not quickly snap back in place.
• Sitting with head over the water dish: The cat will appear to be thirsty, but it will not drink.
• Vomiting: An animal with distemper will frequently try to vomit.
• Bloody diarrhea: The disease causes shedding of the epithelial cells in the intestine, so the cat will have frequent bouts of bloody diarrhea.
• Self-biting: The cat may bite its own tail, lower back and back legs.
• Anemia: Due to the loss of blood through the stools, animals with this disease usually become anemic.

Diagnosing Feline Distemper

Since this disease mimics so many other ailments, the best way to quickly and correctly diagnose it is through a blood test. Animals that have feline distemper have low platelet and hematocrit counts. A complete blood count test, along with a physical examination of the feline, will help a veterinarian diagnose the disease.

Treatment and Prevention of Feline Distemper

While feline distemper has a high mortality rate, it can be treated after the animal has been diagnosed with the disease. The most important factor in saving a cat that has contracted the disease is prompt medical attention when feline distemper symptoms are suspected. Felines under the age of six months are the most susceptible to this disease, although a cat can contract it at any age. The best way to avoid having to worry about the disease is to have your cat vaccinated when it's young. If the animal contracts the disease before it's vaccinated for it, the following treatments are usually administered:

• IV Fluids: Given to help restore hydration to the animal
• Electrolytes" Will help return balance to the body fluids
• Antibiotics: Given to help stave off secondary infections
• Anti-vomiting medication: Given to stave off dehydration
• Blood or serum transfusions: Done on a rare occasion when the animal isn't responding to other treatments

Cat ownership is a very rewarding experience. It is important for owners to care for their animals in the best way possible, and this includes making sure that their health needs are being met. Make sure that all cats are vaccinated on schedule so that they don't fall prey to the deadly diseases that are preventable. Distemper is one of these preventable diseases, and the cost of the vaccination is under $20.00. Treating a cat that already has contracted the disease may cost several hundred dollars. In this scenario, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

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