Can Cats Get Parvo Disease
Its a life-threatening disease for cats because it causes severe anemia which then weakens the immune system and leaves your cat vulnerable to viral and bacterial infections.
Can cats get parvo disease. Parvo in cats is highly contagious and usually targets and affects young unvaccinated cats. 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. FPV is a highly contagious life-threatening viral disease that affects cats.
Parvovirus can trigger severe gastroenteritis in adult cats and kittens over a month old. Adult cats who get parvo have a better chance of surviving than kittens. Cats can only catch parvo from infected cats.
An interesting and frankly somewhat scary report in an upcoming issue of Veterinary Microbiology Clegg et al 2012 provides further information suggesting that cats might be a source of canine parvovirus infectionThis potentially fatal infection which typically affects young unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated puppies is a major problem and outbreaks occur. Adult cats and dogs may have subclinical infection or mild transient diarrhea. It is uncommon and unlikely but it can still happen.
Cats can develop parvo when they ingest bodily fluids blood feces urine saliva of an infected cat. So while it is uncommon yes cats can get parvovirus from dogs. It causes vomiting diarrhea which is often bloody lethargy depression pain and.
This disease is quite serious and if left untreated it can end your cats life in a short time. This vicious virus targets the bodys blood cells mainly those in the bone marrow skin and intestines. They can also get it from contact with an infected cats urine feces and nose secretions.
Cats are most susceptible as kittens from 4 to 12 weeks of age or even as unvaccinated adults. You might just be anxious that your dog could pick something up and spread the virus to your feline friend. For example if a parvo outbreak in an animal shelter takes place there is the possibility of cross-contamination.