For kittens under 1 year of age, why feline distemper is a terminal illness.

Since 1930, when the feline distemper virus was first discovered in humans.

To date, there has not been an effective drug for feline distemper. Although there are many cases of cured cats, there are no "successful and replicable" treatments in animal medicine.

But don't worry, although feline distemper is difficult to treat, it is a "preventative cat disease" and as long as cat owners take precautions, many cats will never cross paths with the feline distemper virus in their lifetime.

Feline distemper virus has little effect on adult cats

The feline distemper virus is only 20 nanometers in size.

The academic name for this virus is feline panleukopenia virus or feline distemper virus for short. It was discovered by scientist Harmon in 1930.

It is not a virus that only makes cats sick, but also affects tigers and other felines in nature.

Feline distemper, also known as the "kitten killer". In kittens, the virus is nearly insurmountable.

When cats reach one year of age, even if they are infected by this virus, they are often not in danger of dying. However, for kittens under 1-year-old, especially those between 2 and 5 months old, the virus is not only easy to catch, but also easy to die from.

Kittens need extra precautions

Some cat owners are nervous when they see their kittens with "similar" symptoms and think their cats are infected with the feline distemper virus.

This is not true. The feline distemper virus can only be diagnosed after a detailed medical examination.

Even an experienced veterinarian cannot make an assertion based on a few symptoms alone.

This is a commonly used test report for the feline distemper virus

The scientific name of the feline distemper virus is "feline panleukopenia virus", which, as the name suggests, is related to white blood cells.

When a suspected sick cat is taken to an animal hospital, it is necessary to test the number of white blood cells in the cat.

During the blood test, if the cat's white blood cell count drops below 4,000 units per cubic millimeter, the chances of disease are higher. If the test results in a white blood cell count that drops below 2,000 units, then the cat may recover from the disease and also have sequelae.

An important part of feline distemper virus detection is the blood test

Feline distemper virus, in cats of different ages and health conditions, often behaves differently.

In animal medicine, scientists have divided the feline distemper virus into four categories.

The most dangerous are the "most acute" and "acute". It is usually found in young cats. If a kitten has the most acute form of feline distemper, it will have the following symptoms.

1. The kitten will become ill and die quickly within 24 hours.

2. The kitten may have spasms, and vomiting and may be weak, but these symptoms will deteriorate rapidly and the kitten will eventually die.

3. This is usually the case for kittens aged 2 months to 5 months once they have contracted the feline distemper virus.

Young cats are less resistant to feline distemper

Because of this condition, the feline distemper virus is called the "kitten killer". For cats, the disease "comes on suddenly and dies quickly". Usually, the owner is just aware that the cat seems to be unwell and soon the cat is dead.

But that does not mean that it is completely incurable.

There have been cases in animal medicine where 3-month-old kittens were found in time to be cured. Therefore, it is still necessary for the owner to pay more attention to the health of the kitten and go to the animal hospital immediately if it appears to be unwell.

After the detection of feline distemper, cats usually need fluids

Sub-acute feline distemper is also the most important thing that cat owners should pay attention to.

This cat disease can be cured by today's animal medicine.

The signs of subacute feline distemper in cats are

1. Body temperature over 40 degrees and repeated fever within 72 hours.

2. The cat continues to vomit, with yellowish-green mucus in the vomit.

3. The cat has bleeding when defecating.

4. The cat is unable to lift its head and has an obvious drooping head condition.

Some cats will show obvious weakness

Generally, when cats are already older than 6 months, the power of feline distemper on them will be reduced. From 6 months of age, cats are more susceptible to subacute feline distemper. (There is also an invisible form of feline distemper, which can occur in adult cats)

In the case of subacute feline distemper, cat owners should not panic. The "terminal" form of feline distemper refers to the great danger to kittens under 5 months of age and the fact that there is no specific medicine for humans.

This does not mean that cats over 6 months of age cannot be treated.

6 months is a watershed for cats

Prevention is the most effective "medicine" for feline distemper.

If you don't want your cat to get feline distemper, and especially if you want to protect your kitten, prevention is the most important aspect.

Scientists have found that more than 65% of kittens with feline distemper share litter boxes.

The hygiene of the litter box is more important for kittens.

Treatment of the feline distemper virus requires a long period

If there is a kitten infected with the feline distemper virus, its feces can be transmitted to other kittens.

1. Do not share the litter box and clean it at least once every 12 hours: the best cleaning cycle for the litter box should be 4 hours to see if it needs to be cleaned.

2. To avoid the feline distemper virus, kittens should pay particular attention to the hygiene of drinking water: some kittens suffer from the virus due to drinking water problems. The drinking water of kittens should be changed frequently, at least once every 10 hours.

Cat mats are a breeding ground for the feline distemper virus: Scientists have found that cats with feline distemper will bring the virus to the mats they normally lie on. In some homes, cats are given mats that may last six months without being changed or even cleaned. This is a common source of the feline distemper virus.

4. Kittens need to be kept warm and feline distemper is often accompanied by cold kittens: this is because the overall immunity of kittens after catching a cold or flu is reduced and can easily be called a target of the feline distemper virus.

Do not let multiple cats share the litter box

The current human treatment for the feline distemper virus is "combination therapy".

The feline distemper virus leaves cats in a dehydrated state. Therefore, cats are usually treated with fluids. It is very important to focus on vitamin B and C supplementation.

Since feline distemper may cause bleeding in the internal organs of some cats, cats with feline distemper should not be held or stroked on the abdomen frequently.

In some cats, there is a risk of damage to the cerebellum due to feline distemper. This can lead to lifelong difficulties in survival, and cat owners should take good care of such cats without abandoning them as much as possible.

Healthy and lovable cats come from more careful nurturing by the pooper scooper

There are also views in the animal medicine community that feline distemper is mainly a disease that cats with poor immunity get.

Some zoologists believe that it is necessary to start with the diet of kittens.

Improving the quality of food and allowing kittens to have at least 2 hours of sunlight every day can effectively improve their resistance to the disease.

Hopefully, your cat will be free from the feline distemper virus