Mojave County, Arizona (June 13, 2023) – Following the recent outbreak of feline parvovirus (feline parvo), and on the advice of the county’s contract veterinarian, the Mojave County Animal Shelter will begin immediately and all cats / Pause kitten breeding. This will allow shelters to thoroughly clean cat rooms and accommodate the number of cats currently in shelters. No cats or kittens will be adopted until next month or until the county contract veterinarian determines they are healthy.
Feline parvo is highly contagious and life-threatening for cats, especially unvaccinated kittens. The county’s contract veterinarian said he had not seen such levels of community transmission in years. Unfortunately, the county has a large population of unvaccinated feral cats and kittens. Just one sick cat/kitten makes all other cats/kittens sick.
Frequently asked questions about Neko Parvo:
How Does Parvo Infect Cats?
Feline parvovirus is spread indirectly following direct fecal-oral contact and contamination of the environment or objects (eg, food plates, grooming tools, bedding, floors, clothing, hands, etc.).
What are the symptoms of feline parvo infection?
Feline parvovirus does not always cause symptoms. Some cats are infected but have no visible disease. Common symptoms in cats infected with parvovirus include:
- lethargy and depression
- foaming mouth or vomiting
- watery discharge from nose
- In the early stages there is fever, followed by hypothermia.
- Diarrhea (which may be watery or bloody)
- unable to eat or drink
What is the treatment for feline parvovirus?
There is no medicine that kills this virus. Appropriate symptomatic treatment with intravenous fluids, nutritional supplements, and antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infections may help the cat survive. Kitten mortality is high. Older cats are more likely to survive.
