What Are the Symptoms of Distemper in Cats?
Panleukopenia, commonly known as feline distemper, is a contagious viral disease that affects cats' digestive systems, nervous systems, bone marrow, and lymph tissues. The virus is similar to the parvo virus that affects canines. Panleukopenia is a very stable virus and can survive in the environment for up to a year. Most common disinfectants will not kill the virus. Feline distemper is spread through contact with infected bedding, food, kennels and animals. Feline distemper can even be transmitted to the cat by the owner if the owner has touched anything infected by the virus and has not washed thoroughly. The virus can be carried into a home on shoes and clothing worn outdoors. Older cats can develop immunity to the disease, but are still susceptible. Kittens can contract the virus from an infected mother while still in the womb. Typically, symptoms are sudden and begin within 4 to 5 days of exposure to the virus. Even after recovery from the virus, cats can still transmit the disease to other cats for several months. Also, it can cause sterility in cats that have contracted the disease.
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Diarrhea
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Frequent stools or loose stools are a symptom of feline distemper. Blood may also be present within the stools. Diarrhea may lead to dehydration, which can lead to death of a cat that has feline distemper.
Vomiting
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Heaving before emesis and vomiting up digested food and bile is a symptom of feline distemper. Vomiting may lead to dehydration. If a cat suffers from feline distemper, blood may be present in the vomit.
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Low White Blood Cell Count
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Cats can acquire anemia due to the loss of blood in stools. The white blood cells may decrease in number and a once active cat may no longer wish to play and may suffer from fatigue and listlessness.
Seizures
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Feline seizures usually last up to 5 minutes and can be identified by sudden and frequent mood changes, convulsions and/or loss of bodily functions. The cat's eyes may dilate, breathing may be altered and the severity of the seizures may vary.
Appetite Suppression
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A cat that has feline distemper may refuse to eat for days. It can quickly become malnourished and lose muscle mass, energy and may seem depressed.
Fever
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A fever of 104 to 107 degrees is a symptom of feline distemper. Often, the fever will drop rapidly before death.
Self Biting
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Some cats experience bouts of self biting with feline distemper. The cat may bite at its tail and hindquarters to the point of causing self inflicted wounds.
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we pick up a 6 week baby kitten and has running nose, sneezing alot, eyes are kinda icky the person we got it from said was born in her barn she brought them in finsh taking care of it, and took it to vet got some save for its eyes said was just like sleep in eyes I been putting this sauve on its eyes when I don't they dry up with crustys what could it be, eatting fine, peeing and pooping full of energy could it be just alergy?
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my cat is suffering from the same symptoms...but I cant get her into a vet until next wk...will she even make it till then?
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I have alot of barn kitties that get this horrible disease and die. Our kitties had goopy stuff in their eyes and diarrhea.
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Can really mattery eyes be a symptom too?
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my ct died of this :c.
