Feline Distemper & Parvovirus: Everything You Need to Know

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Symptoms, treatments, and prevention tips for cat and kitten distemper
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Feline panleukopenia, also known as feline distemper or parvovirus, is a serious, potentially life-threatening viral infection in cats. To treat the disease, it’s crucial to visit a veterinarian immediately. But, if you’re looking for information on what these treatments might entail as well as what types of symptoms you should be looking for in your cat before heading to the vet, we’ve got you covered. This comprehensive guide has all of the must-know info on feline distemper and parvo, including treatment options, common symptoms, prevention tips, and more.

Cat Distemper Treatment

There’s no home remedy or homeopathic treatment for feline parvovirus (also known as distemper or panleukopenia). Cats with parvo need immediate vet care for a chance at recovery and survival, especially if you see symptoms like bloody diarrhea, vomiting, or a high fever.

Section 1 of 7:

How to Treat Parvo in Cats: At Home & At the Vet

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  1. Step 1 Take your cat to the vet to be tested and treated for parvo.
    At the first sign of any common symptoms of distemper in your cat, take them to the vet immediately for parvovirus testing, instructs veterinary doctor Ray Spragley. There is no at-home or homeopathic treatment for feline parvo—you must immediately take your cat to the veterinarian if you suspect they have the virus. Discuss your cat’s symptoms with the vet, who will determine whether or not your cat has feline parvovirus and treat it accordingly.
    • Typically, treatments for parvo include vet-administered IV fluids, nutritional support, and medication to control symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
    • However, keep in mind that feline panleukopenia is a viral infection without any “cure.” It’s mostly up to the cat’s immune system to fight off the virus, and all of the treatment involved in feline parvovirus is meant to support the cat’s immune system to help it mount a defense.[1]
    • If the vet determines that your cat does not have parvovirus, they may run tests to rule out other causes of symptoms like a high fever (which may be caused by FIP or a bacterial infection) and diarrhea (which may be caused by a bowel obstruction).
  2. Step 2 Approve vet-advised treatments like IV fluids, transfusions, and caloric support.
    If your cat is already very sick, the vet may need to give it emergency treatment in order to save its life. With feline distemper, potential emergency treatments include the use of intravenous fluids, caloric support, and plasma or blood transfusions. However, follow your doctor’s advice—if they recommend another treatment, allow them to administer it.[2]
    • Aggressive intravenous fluids can help to counteract any dehydration that your cat is experiencing. Because parvovirus can cause such extreme sickness and diarrhea, your cat may also become depleted in vital electrolytes, minerals, and glucose that can be restored via intravenous fluids.
    • Caloric or nutritional support may help to restore the nutrients that your cat has lost as a result of vomiting up their food or losing their appetite all together. Your vet may offer a nutritional supplement like Nutri-Cal or Ready Cal, or they might use trickle feeding to administer food to your cat via an intravenous line.[3]
    • In some cases, a cat may develop anemia or protein loss as a result of the virus. These cats may require a plasma or blood transfusion, as recommended by a veterinarian.[4]
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  3. Step 3 Administer antiemetics, B vitamins, or any other medications prescribed by your vet.
    There are a variety of treatments that your veterinarian may recommend for your cat—since there is no direct cure for feline distemper, all of these treatments are based on supportive care to support your cat’s immune system while it fights off the infection. Generally, your cat will be given some type of medication to control or soothe their symptoms and support their immune system, often including antiemetics or B vitamins.[5]
    • Antiemetics can help to make your cat more comfortable and reduce their nausea and vomiting. Common medication names for antiemetics include metoclopramide and maropitant.[6]
    • B vitamins, which are typically administered intravenously by the vet, help to promote good bowel health and can aid recovery in cats with distemper.
    • If you are administering the medication to your cat yourself, follow the dosage instructions to know how often to give your cat their medicine.
    • Follow through with any medication your vet gave you. If they gave your cat a two-week course of medication, keep administering it for the full two weeks, even if your cat’s symptoms are improving.
  4. Step 4 Consider experimental treatments, with the input of a licensed veterinarian.
    Some experimental treatments for feline panleukopenia do exist, but they haven’t been licensed for this use in cats. If you’re curious, ask your vet about Virbagen Omega interferon, a medication used to treat distemper in dogs by strengthening their immune system to fight the infection.[7] If your vet approves your use of this medication, it may be worth a shot!
  5. Step 5 Provide aftercare at home, which includes a heated bed and a bland diet.
    Cats with parvovirus must be nursed at home after visiting the vet, which is the best way that you can aid their recovery and make them feel as comfortable as possible. Keep your cat warm on a heating pad, since ill animals are prone to losing heat and developing hypothermia.[8]
    • Turn your cat every half hour to change the side that it’s lying on, which reduces the risk of blood pooling on one side of the body and leading to pneumonia.
    • Once your cat has passed the acute phase of the illness and can eat again (check with your vet if you’re not sure!), reintroduce them to bland food. Ask your vet for the best choice for your cat, but some popular prescription diets designed for gastroenteritis include Hills ID and Purina EN. You could also feed your cat white meat and cooked white rice.[9]
    • Feed your cat small amounts frequently throughout the day until they’ve been producing a formed stool for 3-4 days, at which point a slow transition back into regular food can start.
    • Parvovirus is a very serious infection that requires a strong immune system to eliminate. Do everything you can to care for your cat and make them as comfortable and pain-free as possible.
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Section 2 of 7:

Signs of Parvovirus (Feline Distemper) in Cats

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  1. Step 1 Keep an eye out for a high fever and watery nasal discharge.
    A fever is generally the first symptom to develop after parvovirus completes its incubation period (approximately 4-5 days after contact with the virus).[10] The fever sometimes comes on so suddenly that owners suspect that their feline has been poisoned. You may also notice other symptoms we associate with the common cold, like a runny nose or watery nasal discharge coming from your cat’s nose. If you notice these signs, visit a vet as soon as possible.[11]
  2. Step 2 Watch for frequent vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and extreme weight loss.
    Vomit and diarrhea are the most common and clear signs that a cat may have distemper.[13] While perfectly healthy cats definitely will vomit or go diarrhea from time to time, look for frothing around the mouth in conjunction with the vomiting, as well as blood in your cat’s stool. You may also notice your cat losing an immense amount of weight, another key sign of feline distemper, as a result of the frequent vomiting and appetite loss.[14]
    • Diarrhea and vomiting can be serious, not only because they indicate distemper, but also because these symptoms can quickly lead to dehydration and other health issues like anemia.
    • If your cat vomits on a regular basis, for example, due to hairballs, you will have to judge whether the vomiting your cat is doing is out of character or in line with its normal behavior.
  3. Step 3 Look for behavioral signs like a loss of appetite, weakness, or lethargy.
    Sometimes, pain or physical distress can manifest as behavioral issues. In the case of feline panleukopenia, cats will often feel extremely ill and appear miserable, depressed, or even weak. They’ll often be less energetic than usual and have no interest in play, treats, or food.[15] If you notice these behaviors in your cat, you should consult a vet about possible illnesses, including distemper.
  4. Step 4 Look for signs of secondary infections, like severe gastrointestinal distress.
    Because parvovirus attacks an infected cat’s intestines and bone marrow, it can weaken their immune system and give them a greater risk of developing secondary infections like pneumonia. The most common sign that your cat may have a secondary infection is increased gastrointestinal distress, including bloody diarrhea and vomiting.[16] If you notice worsening or new symptoms in your cat, take them to the vet immediately.
    • Follow whatever treatment advice your vet recommends for secondary infections. Depending on the infection, vets may advise antibiotics, which are usually administered by injection since the parvo illness compromises the cat’s gut.[17]
    • The secondary infections that often follow parvovirus are part of the reason that this feline disease is so dangerous for cats, along with effects on their body like dehydration, organ failure, and blood loss.
  5. Step 5 Be especially vigilant about symptoms in kittens and more vulnerable cats.
    Kittens are generally the most at risk for contracting feline distemper because they have immature or weak immune systems and may not have been vaccinated. At 3-5 months old, a kitten likely hasn’t had their feline panleukopenia vaccine, so they’re both more likely to contract the disease and develop a serious infection.[18]
    • If you have a kitten, be especially mindful of checking for symptoms and calling the vet whenever you have a suspicion—even if it’s nothing, it’s better to be safe than sorry!
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Section 3 of 7:

Diagnosis & Prognosis for Feline Parvovirus (Distemper)

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  1. Step 1 Stool and blood tests are usually used to diagnose feline distemper.
    Parvovirus in cats can be tricky to diagnose since the symptoms are numerous and vary wildly in severity. The symptoms are also very similar to other infections, like salmonella, campylobacter, FIV, FeLV, and pancreatitis. However, most vets will order a stool and blood test to attempt to diagnose the disease.[19]
    • If a cat is infected with parvo, lab technicians may be able to identify the virus in the feline’s excrement or see a reduced amount of all cell types in their blood, which is indicative of feline panleukopenia.
    • A veterinarian may also look at a cat’s exposure history and vaccination status before diagnosis—if a cat hasn’t been vaccinated against parvo, it’s much more likely that they will or have contracted it.
  2. Step 2 Adult cats with parvo have a 10–20% mortality rate if treated by a vet.
    Meanwhile, adult cats who have distemper but are not treated have an 85% mortality rate—meaning that, statistically, 85% of adult cats who contract parvo but aren’t treated by a vet will not survive the disease. Kittens are even more vulnerable, with kittens that are more than two months old having a 60-70% mortality rate with treatment and a nearly 100% mortality rate if not treated.[20]
    • In summation, adult cats often have a better chance of surviving parvovirus than kittens, as do cats who receive veterinary care versus those who do not.
    • Parvovirus is a serious and often fatal disease in felines, but vaccination has helped to reduce the number of cats that pass from this illness—however, vaccines are a prevention tactic, not a treatment, so they will not help a cat who’s already contracted parvo.[21]
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Section 4 of 7:

How to Prevent Feline Parvovirus (Distemper)

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  1. Step 1 Get your cat vaccinated as early as possible.
    Whether you have a kitten or have adopted a stray cat, take them to the vet to be vaccinated as soon as possible (for kittens, this is when they’re about 6-8 weeks old). Vaccinating your pet is the most effective way to prevent them from getting distemper, which could potentially save their life, adds expert animal trainer Cameron Thompsen.
    • The vaccine is administered in two doses, three to four weeks apart. Thereafter, cats require a booster after twelve months, and then a vaccination every third year to extend the protection.[22]
  2. Step 2 Keep young kittens isolated until they’ve been vaccinated.
    Some kittens are born with antibodies received from their mothers, but these antibodies alone will not definitively keep the distemper virus at bay. Since kittens can’t start their distemper vaccinations until they’re around 6-8 weeks old, keep them away from other cats (except for their littermates and mother) until their vaccination is complete.[23]
    • If a kitten contracts parvo, it can lead to a much more serious and likely fatal infection, so it’s crucial to do everything possible to prevent a kitten from coming in contact with the disease.
  3. Step 3 Clean up any cat or animal waste in your yard.
    Contact with feces is one of the main ways that cats get feline distemper, so be sure to clean up any cat or animal waste that you see around your home—especially if you have an outdoor cat.[24] Pick up the waste and wash your hands carefully before touching your cat or its belongings.
    • Because the virus can be spread easily, it's also important to wash your hands any time before handling young kittens. This is especially important if you have been petting other cats recently.[25]
  4. Step 4 Make sure that cats with parvovirus stay isolated.
    Feline distemper is easily spread, so you must keep ill and recovering cats isolated from other cats so that they don’t also become infected. If you have multiple cats in your house, it is most likely that they are all infected if one is infected. However, it's still important to isolate the infected cat completely if by chance your other cats are not infected.[26]
    • Recovered cats can carry on excreting the virus in their feces for six weeks (or longer) after their recovery, providing yet more sources of infection for other cats.[27]
    • Keep your cat and its waste contained for at least six weeks, then reintroduce them to others at the recommendation of your vet.
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Section 5 of 7:

How do cats get parvovirus?

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  1. Cats get parvo through poop, urine, and nasal secretions from infected cats.
    Parvovirus, which is also known as distemper and feline panleukopenia, is mainly passed through excrement and other bodily secretions, like cat pee and nasal discharge. When one cat is infected, their secretions and feces may contaminate a pet owner’s hands and clothing, as well as cat cages, bedding, and dishes. Then, a healthy cat will come into contact with these infected items and contract the disease themselves.[28]
    • Occasionally, fleas from infected cats may also infect other cats, or cat-to-cat passage may happen, but this event usually only happens in places where many cats live together, like multi-cat households, animal shelters, and pet shops.[29]
    • The best way to prevent a cat from getting parvovirus is to have them vaccinated.
Section 6 of 7:

What is parvovirus in cats?

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  1. Feline parvovirus (aka distemper or panleukopenia) is a serious disease in cats.
    Often called “parvo” for short, the illness attacks cells in an infected cat’s intestines, causing diarrhea, vomiting, and a lack of appetite—among other symptoms. Parvovirus, which is also referred to as feline distemper, also works by attaching a cat’s bone marrow and causing shortages of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.[30]
    • Parvo is most common in kittens and cats between 3-5 months old, and this age group is also the most vulnerable since they may not have been vaccinated yet or not have developed immune systems.[31]
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Section 7 of 7:

FAQs About Feline Panleukopenia (Distemper / Parvo)

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  1. Step 1 What are the distemper symptoms in kittens?
    Feline distemper symptoms in kittens are extremely similar to symptoms in adult cats. These symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, fever, lethargy, depression, and nasal discharge.[32] Kittens may also show an unusually wide-based stance, a loss of balance, and pale or white gums.
    • Even though their symptoms are similar, kittens are at a much higher risk of severe or fatal illness if infected with parvovirus. If you believe your kitten may have parvo, seek medical attention immediately.
  2. Step 2 Is cat parvo the same as dog parvo?
    No, cat parvo and dog parvo are not the same. Feline parvovirus (FPV) and canine parvovirus (CPV) are different strains of parvovirus[33] Cats can’t get feline parvo from dogs, and the original canine parvovirus (CPV) cannot infect cats—although some recent research suggests that some newer variants may be contracted by cats.[34]
    • Humans also can’t contract feline or canine parvo—although we have our own variant of parvovirus that’s generally mild and commonly referred to as the B19 virus.[35]
  3. Step 3 How much does it cost to treat feline parvo?
    The cost of treating a cat with distemper varies widely based on the severity of a cat’s illness, the treatments needed, and the area in which you live. That being said, the average cost of treating feline distemper is estimated at $1500–2000 USD.[36]
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Warnings

  • Wildlife, such as mink and raccoons, can also carry the same virus. If you are worried about your outdoor cat getting distemper, it's best to dissuade wild animals from coming into your yard by putting up fencing and removing items they are attracted to.
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.scitechnol.com/peer-review/successful-treatment-of-feline-panleukopenia-a-guideline-for-rescuers-and-veterinarians-part-i-MCSI.php?article_id=6084
  2. ↑ https://www.scitechnol.com/peer-review/successful-treatment-of-feline-panleukopenia-a-guideline-for-rescuers-and-veterinarians-part-i-MCSI.php?article_id=6084
  3. ↑ https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?pId=22915&catId=124636&id=8896496
  4. ↑ https://www.catspyjamas.org/feline-parvovirus-fpv/
  5. ↑ https://www.scitechnol.com/peer-review/successful-treatment-of-feline-panleukopenia-a-guideline-for-rescuers-and-veterinarians-part-i-MCSI.php?article_id=6084
  6. ↑ https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/gastroenterology/gi-intervention-approach-to-diagnosis-therapy-of-the-vomiting-patient/
  7. ↑ https://icatcare.org/feline-parvovirus-infection-recognition-treatment-and-prevention-in-the-shelter/
  8. ↑ http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+2139&aid=222
  9. ↑ https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/pets/food-and-weight/bland-diet-for-dogs-and-cats
  1. ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-vaccines-benefits-and-risks
  2. ↑ https://metrovetclinic.com/resources/fvrcp-vaccine-for-cats/
  3. ↑ https://frontierveturgentcare.com/blog/10-signs-of-fever-in-cats/
  4. ↑ https://tests.waddl.vetmed.wsu.edu/Tests/Details/8006
  5. ↑ https://anicira.org/resources/feline-panleukopenia-what-you-should-know-and-how-to-protect-your-cat/
  6. ↑ https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/feline-panleukopenia
  7. ↑ https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/feline-panleukopenia
  8. ↑ https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/cat/health-and-injuries/antibiotics-for-cats
  9. ↑ https://www.metrovetchicago.com/services/cats/blog/what-pet-owners-need-know-about-deadly-distemper-virus
  10. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8637359/
  11. ↑ https://www.catspyjamas.org/feline-parvovirus-fpv/
  12. ↑ https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/10089/chapter/7
  13. ↑ https://anicira.org/resources/feline-panleukopenia-what-you-should-know-and-how-to-protect-your-cat/
  14. ↑ https://anicira.org/resources/feline-panleukopenia-what-you-should-know-and-how-to-protect-your-cat/
  15. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7151839/
  16. ↑ https://www.petfinder.com/cats-and-kittens/health-wellness/concerns/cat-panleukopenia-fact-sheet/
  17. ↑ https://anicira.org/resources/feline-panleukopenia-what-you-should-know-and-how-to-protect-your-cat/
  18. ↑ http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+2139&aid=222
  19. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7151839/
  20. ↑ https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/feline-panleukopenia
  21. ↑ https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/feline-panleukopenia
  22. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7151839/
  23. ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-vaccines-benefits-and-risks
  24. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7663051/
  25. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2730235/
  26. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/parvovirus-b19/about/index.html
  27. ↑ https://www.atlantaanimalhospital.com/prices

About This Article

Ray Spragley, DVM
Co-authored by:
Ray Spragley, DVM
Veterinarian
This article was co-authored by Ray Spragley, DVM and by wikiHow staff writer, Sophie Burkholder, BA. Dr. Ray Spragley is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and the Owner/Founder of Zen Dog Veterinary Care PLLC in New York. With experience in multiple institutions and private practices, Dr. Spragley’s specializations and interests include non-surgical management of cranial cruciate ligament tears, Intervertebral Disk Disease(IVDD), and pain management in osteoarthritis. Dr. Spragley holds a BS in Biology from SUNY Albany and has a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM) from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. He is also a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) through the Canine Rehab Institute as well as a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) through Chi University. This article has been viewed 73,617 times.
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Co-authors: 9
Updated: November 27, 2024
Views: 73,617
Categories: Feline Infectious Diseases
Article SummaryX

To treat feline panleukopenia, also known as distemper, you should take your cat to a vet immediately for a diagnosis. If your cat is very sick, you may have to approve emergency treatment, including intravenous fluids and plasma or blood transfusions. However, if its distemper is in the early stages, your vet may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. In addition to giving your cat its prescribed medication, you should keep your cat warm with a heating pad or extra layers in its bed, since sick animals are prone to hypothermia. After the acute phase of the infection, you should feed it with a prescription diet, like Hills ID or Purina EN, or a home diet of white meat and rice, as they should stick to bland foods to recover. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, including how to recognize the signs of feline distemper, read on!

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