Can Kittens Get Parvovirus
The cat strain called feline panleukopenia virus fpv is a significant disease threat amongst the feline community but it cannot be transferred to canines.
Can kittens get parvovirus. 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 disease is also known as feline infectious enteritis fie and feline panleukopenia. Over time new strains of canine parvovirus emerged and mutated and scientists found it could infect cats cells. They can also get it from contact with an infected cat s urine feces and nose secretions.
Cats are most susceptible as kittens from 4 to 12 weeks of age or even as unvaccinated adults. While not the same as canine parvovirus it is referred to as parvo due to the similar symptoms. Cats can get parvovirus from dogs and here s the proof for many years it was assumed that dogs got canine parvovirus and cats got a closely related and similar disease called feline panleukopenia virus fpv. Places where young puppies and kittens mix together such as pet shops can be a breeding ground for this transmission.
The parvovirus that occurs in puppies cannot jump species and infect cats or people. Cats can get parvo directly from contact with another cat who has it. Although it has be proven that humans can pass the parvo virus on to cats if they handled feces bedding or food dishes of an infected cat without washing their hands before handling healthy 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.
While dogs cannot catch feline parvovirus the virus can mutate and be spread to cats. So while it is uncommon yes cats can get parvovirus from dogs. 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. The virus is extremely resilient and can survive in the environment for long periods of time.
The parvo virus is tough. It can be fatal. Both cat s and kittens can get parvovirus. However there are some studies that have shown that a mutated strain of the canine parvovirus cpv can in fact infect cats.
Feline parvovirus is a virus that can cause severe disease in cats particularly kittens. Cats and dogs have their own separate species specific parvovirus strains. Parvovirus is highly contagious and a mutated strain of canine parvovirus has been suspected of infecting felines.