Cat distemper: signs, causes of the disease and features

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Unfortunately, pets can get sick, and sometimes their suffering is fatal. Distemper is considered a particularly dangerous disease. It is better not to encounter this problem at all, because the animal is literally melting before our eyes. The pet has a strong fever, vomiting and diarrhea open, all vital signs are rapidly deteriorating. According to statistics, only 10% of affected cats survive.

Who is at risk

Adults are safest when they receive proper care and nutrition. If a cat is older than a year, but has not reached six, it has good he alth and strong immunity, then the risk of catching a terrible infection is significantly reduced.

Pets that have crossed the six-year milestone become more vulnerable, the body ages and less and less resistant to dangerous viruses, including panleukopenia, as the scientific name for cat distemper.

Weak kittens under the age of one year are also at risk. Their immunity has not yet formed and there is no way to survive when faced with viruses. When a disease is diagnosed in a pregnant cat, the kittens will either die in utero or be born non-viable.

Methods of infection

Cat distemper does not require close contact with the pathogen, so the risk of infection is high for both street cats and completely domestic cats. The formidable pathogen enters the soil along with the secretions of a sick animal (feces, urine, saliva) and settles in it. A he althy pet can catch the virus simply by drinking from the same cup as a sick animal, walking on the ground where the pathogens remained. In this case, the disease can enter the house along with outdoor shoes, and the cat constantly rubs in the corridor.

Cat distemper can enter a pet's body in the following ways:

1. In utero if the pregnant cat is infected.
2. Through the milk with which the animal feeds the cubs, in the event that the virus enters the body after childbirth.
3. Through a bowl, toys and other items that a sick pet has come into contact with.
4. Through the ground from a shoe when it has traces of excretions from an infected animal.
5. Through the owner, if he had contact with a sick cat and did not treat his hands after that.

It is important to maintain personal hygiene and keep your pet away from strangers, unknown pets and outdoor shoes.

Cat distemper - symptoms

Infectious gastroenteritis (or distemper in the common people) manifests itself as follows:

• A sharp jump in body temperature to 41 degrees.
• Sunken eyes.
• Severe vomiting and constant diarrhea.
• Complete renunciation of food and water.
• Dryness of mucous membranes and skin.
• Dim and falling hair.

Very dangerous and almost always fatal disease - cat distemper. You can't confuse her symptoms with anything. The cat hides in secluded corners. The pet is feverish, he either sits hunched over or lies on his stomach. In this case, the head is often thrown back, and the limbs are unnaturally extended.

How cat distemper manifests itself should be known to all pet breeders. Only emergency assistance will allow you to fight for the life of the animal. The cat is very thirsty, but her constantly overcome spasms do not allow her to take a sip. The mucous membranes become very dry and quickly turn blue. The animal breathes frequently through the mouth. There are shortness of breath, problems in the cardiovascular system. After a while, a dry cough is added.

The cat is constantly vomiting, she has diarrhea. At the same time, blood is found in the vomit and feces. If nothing is done, then death can occur within a few hours.

Disease forms

Many pet breeders are scared of cat distemper. Can the disease be cured? This is of interest to manyanimal lovers. However, the prognosis largely depends on the severity and form of the disease. Distemper is caused by parvovirus. His vitality is amazing. Being in the soil under the influence of the sun and frost, the virus can infect cats within one year. It is thanks to this resistance to external influences that it actively reproduces and infects more and more new victims.

It is important to understand that parvovirus:

1. Will withstand freezing.
2. Resistant to changes in acidity from 3 to 9 pH.
3. Active when heated up to 60 degrees.
4. Withstands chloroform and diethyl ether treatment.

That's why cat distemper so easily enters the body, but is difficult to destroy. Symptoms and treatment of the disease depend on the stage, which are divided into three:

1. Lightning fast.
2. Spicy.
3. Subacute.

First of all, the pathogen attacks the alimentary canal and especially the intestines. Then comes the turn of the lymphatic system and the bone marrow. The disease spreads very quickly and will soon attack the entire body.

Fulminant form of the disease

Often a similar course of events develops in kittens with unformed immunity and lack of vaccinations. The signs of feline distemper in this case are as follows:

• Trembling limbs.
• Complete apathy to what is happening and lethargy.
• The kitten loses its voice, there may be a subtle squeak.
• Wool sticks together.
• Pet refusal from water and food.
• The kitten does not react to the mother.

Kittencreeps into some dark corner. He is frightened by all sharp sounds, sunlight. Vomiting appears, and a yellowish foam forms around the mouth. The stool is liquid, has a fetid odor. Blood is often seen in the feces.

Acute disease

If the distemper is picked up by an adult, not older than six years old, with strong immunity, then the disease can proceed in an acute form. With such a development of events, there are chances for recovery with complex treatment by a specialist. Only a veterinarian will be able to overcome such a disease as cat distemper. Symptoms and danger to humans are also worth considering. The virus infects only animals, so owners should not worry about infection. The acute stage is characterized by the following features:

• Sharp rise in temperature to 41 degrees.
• The cat is constantly lying down, her breathing is heavy.
• Pet refuses water and food.
• Lack of interest in the outside world.
• Despite the lack of food, the pet constantly vomits yellow foam. Blood may be seen.
• Next, loose stools join.

After a while, the temperature drops sharply to 37 degrees. If it is lower, then death is inevitable. As a result, heart failure develops. The following signs are attached:

• Dry cough and wheezing.
• Discharge from the nose, and the nose itself is hot.
• Wearing and redness of the eyes.
• Skin becomes inflamed, pustules may appear.

The pet suffers greatly fromthirst. But he refuses the offered water. He can't take a sip from severe spasms and sharp pains in the abdomen.

In order for a cat to survive at this stage of the disease, it is necessary to begin treatment immediately after the first signs are detected. Otherwise, the animal is doomed to death. After the illness, pets gain immunity against distemper for several years.

Subacute form

The most favorable course of the disease. With this form, all the symptoms are the same, but their manifestation is noticeably smoothed out. Such a development of events is possible if a cat distemper has been vaccinated or the animal has a very strong natural immunity and good he alth. With timely assistance and well-prescribed treatment, the prognosis is always favorable and the pet recovers quickly.

Treatment of disease

If an animal is diagnosed with feline distemper, treatment should begin immediately. The veterinarian will take all the necessary tests for laboratory tests. However, due to the incredible survivability of the virus, an effective drug has not yet been invented. Treatment is supposed to be complex. Means are used to suppress and destroy the virus and relieve and relieve symptoms that are exhausting the cat.

For two weeks, the pet will be given an antiviral drug intravenously. Most often use "Fosprenil". In this case, in the first days you will need up to 4 injections per day. Gradually, the dose is reduced, but the treatment schedule is prescribed only by the attending physician, based on tests and the condition of the cat.

Symptomatic therapy is also indicated. Calcium chloride is administered to prevent dehydration. Regidron helps to cope with intoxication and stop vomiting. Your doctor may recommend diluting it with glucose.

The most dangerous and often fatal disease is cat distemper. Treatment at home is acceptable, but under the full supervision of a veterinarian. Folk remedies will help to cope with the accumulated toxins and remove them from the body. It is necessary to brew lingonberry leaves, bearberry or horsetail and drink from a cat's pipette. The specialist will also recommend vitamin and mineral supplements.

To stop the pain syndrome and relieve spasms, "No-shpu" is prescribed. Antibiotics are required to reduce the risk of secondary infection.

Prevention measures

To protect an animal from such a formidable disease, it is necessary to vaccinate it. However, pregnant, debilitated or lactating cats should not be vaccinated. Kittens are most susceptible to the disease, so at the age of two months they need to give the first injection. The second dose is given 21 days later.

Adult cats should be vaccinated against distemper annually. At the same time, they are first soldered with tablets against worms. This is necessary so that the vaccination brings the maximum result, and helminths do not undermine the he alth of the animal.

It is important to be careful not to let a he althy pet come into contact with an infected one. If a kitten died in the house from the distemper virus,then it is advisable not to start a new one within a year. That is how long it takes until the complete destruction of pathogens in the room.

The best way to protect an animal from disease and death is a vaccine against cat distemper. The price depends on the manufacturer. Domestic is significantly lower, imported will cost more. The cost also depends on the venue. It is cheaper to inject at the veterinary clinic than at home. The average price of a distemper vaccination ranges from 800 to 1000 rubles.

Cat distemper is a danger to humans

The disease is very complex and often fatal. That is why owners are often concerned about the question of whether feline distemper is transmitted to humans. The virus is quite stable, often carried on shoes and hands. However, it does not pose a danger to human he alth. But it is worth remembering that they are carriers. Therefore, even if the cat is completely domestic, it must be regularly vaccinated.

It is especially difficult for owners if they have several cats. If one pet is sick, the others need to be isolated. Is feline distemper transmitted to dogs? No, fortunately they are not susceptible to this form of the virus. But dogs should also be vaccinated because canine distemper is also a very common disease.

Consequences for an animal with distemper

Even if it was possible to overcome the disease, it could leave indelible marks in the body. Chronic failures in cardiac activity, the nervous system and the digestive tract may occur. Weakened individuals are forced to stay onspecial diet.

Disinfection measures

During treatment, it is mandatory to disinfect cat places for a speedy recovery and victory over the virus. Cat beds can be treated with formaldehyde or soda ash. You can use lamps with a UV filter.

Regular wet cleaning and frequent airing are also recommended. During this, the animal is taken out to another room. It is important to provide your pet with an optimal environment for a speedy recovery. You should clean up after him in time, clean your mouth from vomit and wipe feces. It is necessary to ensure that the cat is not disturbed, provide her with a quiet and dark corner without access to direct sunlight. Eyes should also be washed and combed.

Finally

Despite the fact that distemper is not dangerous for humans, the owners will be very sorry to lose their pet due to an insidious disease. Therefore, it is recommended to vaccinate it without fail. If the disease nevertheless overtook, then you should not engage in self-treatment, but you should immediately contact a specialist.