Can Kittens Get Parvovirus

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.

Can kittens get parvovirus. Cats can get parvo directly from contact with another cat who has it. 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. 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 cat strain called feline panleukopenia virus fpv is a significant disease threat amongst the feline community but it cannot be transferred to canines. Cats are most susceptible as kittens from 4 to 12 weeks of age or even as unvaccinated adults. 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. 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.

Places where young puppies and kittens mix together such as pet shops can be a breeding ground for this transmission. The parvo virus is tough. The parvovirus is highly transmissible from an infected mother to her kittens during her pregnancy. The parvovirus that occurs in puppies cannot jump species and infect cats or people.

While not the same as canine parvovirus it is referred to as parvo due to the similar symptoms. There is some debate over whether cats can get parvo from dogs but the majority opinion seems to be no. Over time new strains of canine parvovirus emerged and mutated and scientists found it could infect cats cells. For example if a parvo outbreak in an animal shelter takes place there is the possibility of cross contamination.

Cats and dogs have their own separate species specific parvovirus strains. However there are some studies that have shown that a mutated strain of the canine parvovirus cpv can in fact infect cats. 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 parvovirus can also be transmitted by getting into contact with items that the infected cat has used during the infection and the treatment itself including any food bowls sandboxes clothing toys etc.

While dogs cannot catch feline parvovirus the virus can mutate and be spread to cats.