Can Cats Get Parvo Or Distemper

Do cats get parvo.

Can cats get parvo or distemper. The class of viruses called parvovirus causes both feline distemper and canine parvo diseases. The Distemper Parvo vaccine is so vital because its a combination vaccine designed to protect your dog from a wide host of serious diseases. Feline distemper can lead to anemia and paves the way for other bacterial or viral infections.

Racoons mink skunks and otters can all get both canine distemper and FPV. The virus can also be passed on by humans who have not properly washed their hands after handling an infected cat or an infected cats belongings such as bedding dishes or grooming equipment. Lethargy and listlessness is often accompanied by poor appetite.

So while it is uncommon yes cats can get parvovirus from dogs. Fuller the virus can be shed through a cats bodily secretions including saliva nasal discharges and urine but it is most commonly shed through feces. Parvo in cats is also referred to as feline distemper and feline panleukopenia.

However the vaccine for canine distemper will not prevent feline distemper nor vice versa. Fever is the usual first symptom of canine distemper virus although it usually goes unnoticed. Feline infectious enteritis feline distemper panleukopenia or cat plague are all common terms used to describe the infectious disease known as parvovirus.

Feline parvovirus is different than canine parvovirus and only causes disease in cats. Feline distemper -- or feline panleukopenia virus FPV -- is caused by the feline parvovirus. Feline distemper is primarily caused by a single-strand DNA virus called feline parvovirus says Dr.

So yes cats can get parvo if they are exposed to feces of an infected animal. Some years it is more contagious than others and has varying survival rates. Dogs get vaccinated against parvo the P in DHPP and cats get vaccinated against distemper the P for panleukopenia in FVRCP.