DISTEMPER
Panleukopenia, or Distemper is a highly contagious virus that can cause devastating disease, especially in young cats. It is mainly seen in cats under 1 year of age, mostly because of lack of immunity. Symptoms of this disease include vomiting and diarrhea, weight loss, lethargy, dehydration, fever, anorexia, and upper respiratory infections. This disease attacks a cat's white blood cells. Distemper spreads very fast in places with a large population of cats, such as kennels, shelters, and among outdoor cats as well. It is most often obtained by ingestion and is found commonly in feces.
This deadly disease can live at room temperature for 13 months, and can be carried on clothing or skin if it has had contact with an infected cat. The fatality rate of felines with Distemper virus is great- reaching 50-90%. A good way to kill this virus is with household bleach. Treatment, however, is symptomatic.
There are 3 steps to follow:
1) Hydrate the cat. Administer fluid therapy.
2) Minimize continuing losses. Rest the gut, do not feed the cat a large meal, but provide adequate water.
3) Prevent secondary infections. The cats immune system is suppressed already, help prevent infections and contain and monitor them if they are present.
The best way to prevent your cat from getting this deadly disease is to vaccinate. Indoor and outdoor cats alike should be vaccinated regularly at your veterinarian. This is the most important vaccine that should be given, as it will help your cats immune system stay strong so (s)he will live a long healthy life.
This vaccine can be administered as early as 6 weeks of age, and must be correctly boostered to ensure immunity.
The vaccine schedule is as follows:
6 weeks:1st Distemper vaccine and Deworming
9 weeks: 2nd Distemper vaccine, 1st Feline Leukemia vaccine, and Deworming
12 weeks: 3rd Distemper vaccine, 2nd Feline Leukemia vaccine, and Rabies vaccine
![[AAHA logo]](graphics/aaha.gif)