Can Kittens Have Parvo

Diarrhea sometimes with blood in it.

Can kittens have parvo. 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. This disease is quite serious and if left untreated it can end your cat s life in a short time. The parvo virus is tough. The virus is spread through bodily fluids and contact with feces.

A cat can spread the disease to other cats 2 6 weeks post recovery. Coat that seems rough. Cats cannot get parvo it s strictly a canine disease. Kittens can acquire this disease in utero or through breast milk if the pregnant or nursing mother should be infected.

Parvo in cats is easily transmissible from an infected cat to a susceptible cat most commonly through the feces and urine. 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. The parvovirus that occurs in puppies cannot jump species and infect cats or people. Kittens from two to eight months are especially vulnerable to this disease and can experience severe symptoms.

Some older cats do not have severe symptoms but younger un vaccinated cats can become severely ill. While dogs cannot catch feline parvovirus the virus can mutate and be spread to cats. Cats are most susceptible as kittens from 4 to 12 weeks of age or even as unvaccinated adults. It is highly contagious and cats should be vaccinated as kittens and have booster shots every year.

You might have heard of feline parvovirus parvo referred to as panleukopenia or feline distemper fpv. Cat parvo symptoms can be fatal. Places where young puppies and kittens mix together such as pet shops can be a breeding ground for this transmission. It can affect cats of all ages and it s highly contagious.

While not the same as canine parvovirus it is referred to as parvo due to the similar symptoms. Cats can get parvo directly from contact with another cat who has it. The feline parvovirus is resistant to disinfectants and can remain in the environment for as long as a year waiting for an opportunity. 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.

Parvovirus is highly contagious and a mutated strain of canine parvovirus has been suspected of infecting felines. Visible symptoms of fpv caused by cats who get parvo include. But parvo can also be transmitted by fleas that have fed off of an infected cat which is why it s very difficult to prevent your kitten from being exposed to this deadly disease. Feline parvovirus is the virus that causes feline panleukopenia.

They can also get it from contact with an infected cat s urine feces and nose secretions.