Can Kittens Get Parvovirus

Cats can get parvovirus from dogs and here s the proof for many years it was assumed that dogs got canine parvovirus and cats got a closely related and similar disease called feline panleukopenia virus fpv.

Can kittens get parvovirus. However kittens and juvenile cats usually 3 5 months old are susceptible to a different form of parvovirus called feline panleukopenia or fp for short. The parvo virus is tough. However there are some studies that have shown that a mutated strain of the canine parvovirus cpv can in fact infect cats. There is some debate over whether cats can get parvo from dogs but the majority opinion seems to be no.

People who handle an infected cat or an infected cat s bedding food or water dish can carry the virus to the next cat they handle. 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. For example if a parvo outbreak in an animal shelter takes place there is the possibility of cross contamination. While not the same as canine parvovirus it is referred to as parvo due to the similar symptoms.

Cats and dogs have their own separate species specific parvovirus strains. Cats can get parvo directly from contact with another cat who has it. Places where young puppies and kittens mix together such as pet shops can be a breeding ground for this transmission. While dogs cannot catch feline parvovirus the virus can mutate and be spread to cats.

Both cat s and kittens can get parvovirus. Parvovirus is highly contagious and a mutated strain of canine parvovirus has been suspected of infecting felines. The parvovirus is highly transmissible from an infected mother to her kittens during her pregnancy. 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 parvovirus can also be transmitted by getting into contact with items that the infected cat has used during the infection and the treatment itself including any food bowls sandboxes clothing toys etc. Over time new strains of canine parvovirus emerged and mutated and scientists found it could infect cats cells. However generally kittens are easily more susceptible to the viral infection as they do not have have the development of active immunity and they do not have a strong enough immune system to battle all the clinical signs that occur. They can also get it from contact with an infected cat s urine feces and nose secretions.

Cats are most susceptible as kittens from 4 to 12 weeks of age or even as unvaccinated adults.