Guilford County Animal Services announced on Monday, June 2 that the animal shelter is limiting the intake of cats and kittens due to the discovery of cases of feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) at the facility, which is formally known as the Guilford County Animal Resource Center.
Recently, the virus was found present in four kittens that were brought to the shelter from the High Point and Pleasant Garden areas. As a result, the shelter has been forced to close off two kitten halls and is placing the cats and kittens already at the shelter under quarantine for the next two weeks in order to reduce the likelihood of spreading FPV.
As a result, Guilford County Animal Services officials are encouraging area residents to take part in their “stray to foster” program if a stray cat or kitten is found. Under that program, the finder takes the animals home and fosters the cats or kittens through the 72-hour stray hold period.
Feline panleukopenia is an extremely contagious virus found in cats. FPV can affect kittens and unvaccinated cats. The disease causes the infected animal to lose defenses against viruses or bacteria.
Also, if the virus isn’t quickly and properly diagnosed and treated, it can be fatal.
The incubation period for the virus can be two weeks.
It can be hard to detect because most cats infected with the virus show no symptoms at all; however, cats with FPV that become ill often experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, fever, depression, lethargy, pain in the abdomen, lack of appetite, dehydration or even sudden death.
FPV can be spread when a cat ingests viral material that’s present in feces, urine, saliva or vomit. The spread can also occur by cats using the same litterbox or sharing the same living space. Animal Services is currently managing the FPV outbreak with quarantine, isolation, and, if required, euthanasia.
County officials say that vaccination is the best method to prevent feline panleukopenia virus and they added that you should speak with a veterinarian to see if your cat is eligible for vaccination.
