Can Cats Kittens Get Parvo
While dogs cannot catch feline parvovirus the virus can mutate and be spread to cats.
Can cats kittens get parvo. Although it has be proven that humans can pass the parvo virus on to cats if they handled feces bedding or food dishes of an infected cat without washing their hands before handling healthy cats. The parvo virus in dogs is very closely related to the virus panleukopenia. This disease is quite serious and if left untreated it can end your cat s life in a short time. Parvo in cats is also referred to as feline distemper and feline panleukopenia.
It s caused by a virus that kills cells that grow and divide quickly in your cat s body. Cats are most susceptible as kittens from 4 to 12 weeks of age or even as unvaccinated adults. Parvo in cats is different than the parvo virus that dogs get. This includes intestinal and bone marrow cells.
It is highly contagious and cats should be vaccinated as kittens and have booster shots every year. Kittens can acquire this disease in utero or through breast milk if the pregnant or nursing mother should be infected. Both viruses attack cells within the pet s bone marrow. Neither can mouse parvo spread to elephants or even humans.
Parvo in cats is easily transmissible from an infected cat to a susceptible cat most commonly through the feces and urine. As cats can catch certain strains of canine parvovirus any cats in this dog s household should be isolated and brought to the veterinarian for parvo testing. Feline parvovirus is the virus that causes feline panleukopenia. It can affect cats of all ages and it s highly contagious.
Places where young puppies and kittens mix together such as pet shops can be a breeding ground for this transmission. It is actually a virus called panleukopenia but is sometimes called feline parvo because the symptoms are similar to the symptoms of canine parvo virus. Parvo in cats is passed into the urine and feces of the infected cat during the infection itself but also in the six weeks after the cat s recovery as well. Cat parvo is very contagious.
Most cats catch the virus through infected areas rather than from other infected cats as the virus can survive up to a year in the environment. The virus that causes distemper in cats. There is some debate over whether cats can get parvo from dogs but the majority opinion seems to be no. While not the same as canine parvovirus it is referred to as parvo due to the similar symptoms.