Can Kittens Get Parvo Virus

Cats can get parvo directly from contact with another cat who has it.

Can kittens get parvo virus. In other words canine parvo cannot spread to cats. Places where young puppies and kittens mix together such as pet shops can be a breeding ground for this transmission. Cats are most susceptible as kittens from 4 to 12 weeks of age or even as unvaccinated adults. Parvo in cats is different than the parvo virus that dogs get.

However there are some studies that have shown that a mutated strain of the canine parvovirus cpv can in fact infect cats. The virus that causes distemper in cats. People who handle an infected cat or an infected cat s bedding food or water dish can carry the virus to the next cat they handle. While dogs cannot catch feline parvovirus the virus can mutate and be spread to cats.

The parvo virus in dogs is very closely related to the virus panleukopenia. So while it is uncommon yes cats can get parvovirus from dogs. It is also known as feline infectious enteritis cat fever or feline ataxia. This virus is found in the air in the environment.

This is a highly contagious disease and it s also very dangerous. Neither can mouse parvo spread to elephants or even humans. It is actually a virus called panleukopenia but is sometimes called feline parvo because the symptoms are similar to the symptoms of canine parvo virus. Both cat s and kittens can get parvovirus.

They can also get it from contact with an infected cat s urine feces and nose secretions. Parvovirus is highly contagious and a mutated strain of canine parvovirus has been suspected of infecting felines. Feline parvovirus is the virus that causes feline panleukopenia. The parvo virus is tough.

It is highly contagious and cats should be vaccinated as kittens and have booster shots every year. The same cannot be said for the reverse situation as studies have shown that a mutated strain of the canine parvovirus can infect cats. 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. The cat strain called feline panleukopenia virus fpv is a significant disease threat amongst the feline community but it cannot be transferred to canines.

Both viruses attack cells within the pet s bone marrow. 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. For example if a parvo outbreak in an animal shelter takes place there is the possibility of cross contamination.