GARDEN ROUTE | KAROO NEWS - The Garden Route SPCA (GRSPCA) has sent out a press release warning cat owners of the deadly panleukopenia virus.
Although no cases have been reported in the Garden Route area, other areas in the Western Cape have seen an outbreak of the feline parvovirus.
“We urge all pet owners to ensure that their animals are vaccinated against all diseases and take the necessary precautionary measures to keep their pets safe and healthy,” said the GRSPCA’s Amber du Preez.
What you need to know:
Panleukopenia is a viral disease that destroys the white blood cells in felines. It is a disconcerting disease because it is difficult to detect in its early stages. By the time the symptoms show (after a 14-day incubation), it is already too late and the chances of recovery are slim.
• It is exceptionally contagious among cats, but cannot be transferred to humans or any other animal.
• Infected cats transfer the virus to their environment where it stays active for months and can be picked up by passing cats. The virus mostly lives in the ground for months or years and breaks out when the environmental conditions are favourable.
• It is very common and outbreaks occur every few years. Sometimes the outbreaks are mild and go almost unnoticed, but every so often there is a serious outbreak and the fatality rate among kittens and young cats is noticeable.
• Almost every cat has contracted panleukopenia at some stage. It is mostly fatal to kittens that have not yet developed a robust immune system, but it can also kill cats that have a compromised immune system, or are in poor condition due to neglect. It is relatively unusual for a well-nourished mature cat, that has been vaccinated regularly, to succumb to the virus.
• Death is extremely quick. Once the symptoms show, the cat can die within 24 hours.
Symptoms
• The cat will go into hiding for two or three days. When the cat emerges, it will be unable to eat or drink. The cat adopts the ‘praying’ position – they appear to be praying over their food or water bowl. In the very last stages, they will also vomit up yellow froth. This is an indication that their organs are shutting down. Death follows within hours.
• Cats that have died from panleukopenia can look as if they have been poisoned, as they sometimes lie dead with foam around their mouths.
• Regular feline inoculations are a good protection against the virus, although they are not infallible if there is a virulent outbreak.
• Cats that have died from panleukopenia should not be buried, but rather incinerated, as the virus survives in the ground for so long.
• Most adult cats – especially feral cats (otherwise known as ‘community cats’) – will have survived a bout of panleukopenia some time in their lives and may have built a resistance to it.
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