How to Get Your Cat Past Feline Distemper

Kittens have lower distemper survival rates, so immediate treatment is vital.

Feline distemper is a serious and often lethal disease caused by the panleukopenia virus, which is transmitted from the saliva, feces, mucus, vomit or urine of one infected cat to another. The virus affects fast-growing cells in a cat's body, such as the digestive, lymph and nervous cells, causing a range of ill effects. Symptoms include loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, lethargy and extreme thirst. The only way to get your cat past distemper is to have it professionally treated.

Instructions

1. Act fast. Feline distemper can kill a cat in as fast as 24 hours. If you notice any of the symptoms in your cat, there is a possibility it has contracted the disease.

2. Contact a veterinarian or take your cat to an animal hospital for immediate treatment. Professional treatments include vitamin injections, administration of fluids and antibiotics, and blood transfusions.

3. Monitor your cat after treatment. Although most cats that survive feline distemper make a full recovery, there is a chance that they can develop heart problems like cardiomyopathy and myocarditis. If you notice any symptoms of these conditions, such as lethargy, coughing, fever or erratic heartbeats, take your cat to a veterinarian immediately.

References

• "Infectious Disease Management in Animal Shelters"; Lila Miller, Kate Hurley; 2009
• PetEducation.com; Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper) in Cats and Kittens; Holly Nash, DVM, MS