Distemper in cats is a disease that affects the digestive, respiratory, and central nervous systems of cats due to harmful bacteria. If left untreated, it will threaten the safety of the cat. It can even be experienced by young and adult cats.
When having a pet cat must always be vigilant and careful in its care. Especially now that new diseases are emerging. Such as distemper in cats due to the Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV). This virus attacks cats under 1 year of age.
1. Causes of Distemper in Cats
Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV), is a dangerous type of virus because it spreads very quickly and is difficult to control. Usually, this type attacks local cats but does not rule out the desire to attack cats of other breeds.
2. Spread of Distemper
Here’s how distemper spreads in cats:
- Contact with infected cat feces
- Contact with urine
- Exposure to nasal feces
- Exposure to infected cat blood
- Human hands
The spread of the FPV virus is indeed very easy, even inanimate objects that contain the virus can be a medium for spreading. Such as food containers, beds, glasses, floors, and any inanimate objects that have been exposed to saliva, feces, etc. can be an effective medium of transmission.
Or human hands previously in contact with infected cats can also transmit to other cats.
Therefore, it is important to wash your hands frequently after handling a sick cat, and also to clean the cage and feeder regularly.
3. Why is Distemper Dangerous?
Because distemper attacks red blood cells in the intestinal tract, bone marrow, skin, and stem cells. It can also lead to anemia and other viral and bacterial diseases (complications).
After destroying red blood cells, the infection will easily attack the cat because there is no body defense system that protects the cat. (So similar to the plague that is attacking humans).
Oh yeah, the severe form of this virus is when it attacks the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and central nervous system. If it’s like this, it’s very difficult to treat.
4. Symptoms of Distemper in Cats
The transmission of the Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV) virus can be recognized through cats that have certain symptoms. As well as frequent depression, the cat’s body is limp, and the cat does not want to eat and drink anymore. This is a sign that the virus is active.
In addition, it is usually also accompanied by fever as a response that there are foreign substances in the cat’s body. In this condition, cats tend to like to be alone in cold places, often with diarrhea accompanied by yellow vomiting. It can even be seen from the physical characteristics that the fur becomes dull and rough. Or in outline, the symptoms of feline distemper include:
- Vomit
- Dehydration
- Excessive sneezing
- Cold / flu
- Discharge of fluid from the eyes
- Diarrhea, sometimes accompanied by blood
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Anemia
- Coarse coat
- Loss of appetite
- Visible fatigue
- Difficulty walking
- Likes to hide
- Depression
- Anorexia
5. How to Treat Distemper in Cats
The main step that can be taken to prevent the virus from spreading and becoming more virulent is to vaccinate cats aged 2.5 months. What should be noted is, never give the distemper vaccine when the mother is pregnant. Because it can interfere with the process of fetal growth of baby cats.
Until now there is actually no definitive cure in the world that can overcome the Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV) virus.
However, there are several alternatives that can be done to overcome the virus, namely by giving antibiotics regularly. Usually, doctors also provide vitamins A and B for cats as well as nausea and vomiting relief in treating cats infected with the virus.
Thus the review of distemper in cats may be useful and add new insights about favorite cats.
