Can Kittens Have Parvo

Like many viruses parvo in cats has different strains varying in deadliness.

Can kittens have parvo. Fip is spread through contact between cats. You should keep young sick or unvaccinated cats away from other cats or those who have had the disease a few months earlier. Parvovirus can even affect unborn kittens while they are still in the womb. Both cat s and kittens can get parvovirus.

Cats are most susceptible as kittens from 4 to 12 weeks of age or even as unvaccinated adults. The viruses do not infect people. It does not spread to humans. 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.

The names feline distemper and feline parvo should not be confused with canine distemper or canine parvo although their names are similar they are caused by different viruses. 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. Check with your veterinarian if your cat has already been diagnosed with panleukopenia. Overall up to 90 percent of cats who get parvo and are not treated will die.

Cats who receive veterinary care for their parvo have a better chance of surviving than those who do not. Kittens under 16 weeks should receive boosters every two weeks if in a high risk environment such as a shelter. The best way to avoid infection is prevention. Kittens are more susceptible to parvo especially if exposed to an infected animal such as their mother.

Adult cats who get parvo have a better chance of surviving than kittens. Once your cat has contracted fpv and lived to tell the tale it is unlikely that they will catch it again. It is one of the deadliest viruses to cats. Cat vaccine for parvo and distemper all cats should be vaccinated starting at age 4 6 weeks including injured and mildly ill kittens.

Kittens will appear to have fat stomachs when in fact they re building up fluid which will eventually kill them. You might have heard of feline parvovirus parvo referred to as panleukopenia or feline distemper fpv.