Can Cats Get Parvo Or Distemper

While cats and dogs cannot pass distemper to each other many wild animals can get one or both diseases.

Can cats get parvo or distemper. The parvo virus that wreaks havoc in cats is called Feline Parvovirus or Feline Panleukopenia. However the vaccine for canine distemper will not prevent feline distemper nor vice versa. The feline distemper vaccine can be administered to a kitten as young as 6 weeks old and is often repeatedly given until the kitten is 16 weeks old and then at regular intervals during their adult life.

It is slightly different than canine parvovirus. Fpv can cause disease in house cats wild cats raccoons mink and coatimundis. The onset of distemper in cats is usually sudden.

If these symptoms are occurring it is always recommended a vet be seen to determine with certainty if parvo is the underlying cause or not. Distemper is commonly found where there are many cats in a small area like kennels pet stores and feral cat colonies. Dogs get vaccinated against parvo the P in DHPP and cats get vaccinated against distemper the P for panleukopenia in FVRCP.

Can humans get distemper from cats. Symptoms range from fever severe dehydration diarrhea and vomiting. Feline parvovirus is different than canine parvovirus and only causes disease in cats.

For example if a parvo outbreak in an animal shelter takes place there is the possibility of cross-contamination. The class of viruses called parvovirus causes both feline distemper and canine parvo diseases. Mary Fuller a veterinarian from Minneapolis Minnesota.

Symptoms of Parvovirus in Cats. Some years it is more contagious than others and has varying survival rates. When to take a kitten with panleukopenia to the vet.