Cats have their own type of parvovirus, called feline panleukopenia virus (FPV). But they do not get it from dogs.
While cats have been shown to carry and shed certain variants of the dog parvovirus (canine parvovirus type-2), aside from a few reported cases it is not currently thought to be a common cause of disease in cats.
What Causes Feline Parvo?
Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) itself is a small and simple virus in structure, but very effective at infecting cells. Parvoviruses primarily attack cells that divide quickly.
Symptoms of infection are related to the parts of the body that are affected, most commonly the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, bone marrow, and lymph tissue.
Parvoviruses in general are:
- Highly contagious
- Quite resistant to disinfection
- Able to survive for a long time in the environment (up to one year or more, under the right conditions)
How Do Cats Become Infected with Feline Parvo?
FPV is found throughout the environment, so pretty much every cat will come into contact with it eventually.
Infected cats shed the virus in their urine, feces, and nasal discharge. Cats can pick up the virus through direct contact with an infected cat, or by indirect contact (e.g., through contaminated food and water dishes, bedding, or litterboxes). People can even spread the virus between cats if it is present on their hands or clothing.
The virus survives well outside of the body, so thorough cleaning and disinfection is critical in preventing transmission.
The incubation period (the time from infection to illness) of FPV is usually around five days. Infected cats may shed the virus for several days before showing obvious clinical signs.
What Are the Symptoms of Feline Parvo Infection?
Healthy adult cats who have been vaccinated against FPV are unlikely to develop any signs of illness after contact with the virus.
However, adult cats who are immunocompromised, or have not been vaccinated against FPV, may become sick. Symptoms can include:
- Decreased energy
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea (with or without blood)
- Drooling
- Abdominal tenderness
- Unkempt appearance
Cats with FPV are typically dehydrated, have a fever, and their bloodwork shows low counts of all white blood cells (hence the name panleukopenia virus). This makes them extremely susceptible to secondary infections, especially because damage to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream and cause sepsis.
Young kittens are often severely affected. Unfortunately, in some cases, the disease progresses very quickly, and can be fatal before clinical signs even become apparent.
If you are concerned that your cat may be showing signs of FPV infection, please seek veterinary attention right away.
Can Parvo in Cats Be Treated?
There is no specific treatment for FPV. An affected cat requires intensive supportive care in a hospital, while their immune system tries to fight the virus.
Treatment usually involves:
- Intravenous (IV) fluids to maintain hydration, provide electrolytes, and support blood sugar
- Broad-spectrum antibiotics to protect against secondary bacterial infections
- Anti-nausea medication to help encourage appetite (nutrients obtained through food are critical to healing, particularly for the gastrointestinal tract)
- Pain management (if needed)
Can Cats Recover From Parvo?
Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) can cause serious illness in cats. Many kittens younger than eight weeks of age sadly do not survive. Prognosis remains very guarded until around five months of age.
Adult cats who receive prompt and aggressive treatment have the best chance for recovery, but the survival rate with hospitalization is still only reported to be 20-51%.
Without hospitalization, the survival rate is thought to be less than 10%.
Can I Get Parvo From My Cat?
No. Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) is not transmissible to humans.
How Can I Protect My Cat From Parvo?
It is likely that all cats will encounter FPV at some point in their life. Fortunately, a very effective vaccine is available.
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommends the FPV vaccine for all cats, regardless of whether they spend time outdoors. The vaccine is particularly important for kitten, because their immune systems are not fully developed.
Kittens are typically vaccinated around 6-8 weeks of age, followed by a booster every three or four weeks until they reach 16-20 weeks of age. After the initial series, your veterinarian will let you know how often your cat needs to be re-vaccinated to stay protected throughout their life (usually every one to three years).
In addition to vaccination, here are some helpful tips to help keep your cat(s) safe:
- If a cat in your house has been treated for FPV infection, they can continue to shed the virus for up to six weeks after recovery, and should be kept isolated from kittens, and unvaccinated or immunocompromised adult cats.
- When bringing a new pet into your home, it is a good idea to keep them separate from any pets you currently have for a short quarantine period (up to two weeks). Ask a veterinarian if your new addition should be tested for any infectious diseases, or receive certain vaccines before making introductions.
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Featured Image Credit: Ermolaev Alexander, Shutterstock
