Parvo like illness in kittens

[Velvet]

Has anyone else came across this? Apparently symPtoms are similar to canine parvovirus & just as deadly to the very young. One comment i read suggested it was a strain from parvovirus affecting cats?

[pinklizzy]

Yes, Feline infectious enteritis is sometimes called feline parvovirus as it has very similar symptoms and a similarly high mortality rate
Kittens are most susceptible and it can cross the placenta so if infection occurs late on in pregnancy, causes brain damage to the kittens.
Like parvo the transmission is faecal-oral and it can also live on fomites (blankets,bowls etc) and it causes a severe enteritis. After the incubation period the virus enters the bloodstream and will attack the bonemarrow and lymph nodes, reducing the levels of white blood cells.
It will then destroy the cells of the lining of the intestine (these are rapidly dividing cells so are more susceptible to attack) and the cat's body is unable to fight it off due to the lack of WBCs. The damage to the intestinal cells is what causes blood in the diarrhoea caused by diseases like FIE and parvo, and also the distinctive and awful smell of the disease-once you've seen it, you'll never forget it!
It's a horrible, horrible disease but can be vaccinated against, most 'basic' vaccination courses for kittens include 'flu/enteritis.

[Velvet]

Thanks Pinklizzy - there have been outbreaks here both last year & this year. Heard one of larger sancturaries had to close for a wbile as did one of the busier town vets. Apparently quarter of kittens goingbto vets are not making it

I know the Parvo smell, some years ago we took
on two rescue puppies to hand rear/foster & they both had it when we got them. Their digestion, if they survive is never the same after it either

Poor wee kittens, so vunerable....