Can Cats Get Parvo Disease

As cats can catch certain strains of canine parvovirus any cats in this dogs household should be isolated and brought to the veterinarian for parvo testing.

Can cats get parvo disease. Parvovirus can have a higher mortality rate in shelter puppies and kittens despite early or aggressive therapy because of concurrent debilitation parasitism and stress. However there are some studies that have shown that a mutated strain of the canine parvovirus CPV can in fact infect cats. Parvo in cats is actually referred to as panleukopenia.

The virus infects the walls of the intestines causing the interior lining of the intestines to slough. Parvovirus can trigger severe gastroenteritis in adult cats and kittens over a month old. A 2012 study conducted by Simon Clegg and published in Veterinary Microbiology proved that some cats can catch Parvo from dogs.

It can be fatal. If your cat can survive for five days then his condition will get better. Cats are most susceptible as kittens from 4 to 12 weeks of age or even as unvaccinated adults.

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. For example if a parvo outbreak in an animal shelter takes place there is the possibility of cross-contamination. Feline parvovirus is the virus that causes feline panleukopenia.

Parvovirus is a highly contagious disease spread by the fecal material of affected animals. While all cats regardless of age and breed can get the resilient and ubiquitous parvovirus just like puppies and dogs without vaccine the young kittens and unvaccinated cats are the ones who are most at risk. Make sure the puppy has had at least one set of shots at least 2 weeks before bringing it home and that you keep its vaccines current.

The disease is also known as feline infectious enteritis FIE and feline panleukopenia. So while it is uncommon yes cats can get parvovirus from dogs. This disease is quite serious and if left untreated it can end your cats life in a short time.