Deadly virus on prowl, felines in Kolkata at risk

KOLKATA: A deadly feline parvovirus (FPV) has been raging among cats in the city, killing several domesticated cats, especially those that have a habit of going outdoors.
According to vets and pet owners in the city, multiple cats have developed loss of appetite, severe lethargy and weakness, which in some cases have developed into vomiting, bloody diarrhoea and dehydration. Due to poor diagnosis, by the time the disease is discovered, many affected animals go into shock from dehydration and sepsis, often resulting in sudden death.
“FPV attacks the cells that line the small intestine and causes severe immunosuppression among cats. Early diagnosis is very important for a proper cure of the disease. Several cats are facing casualties because of diagnostic ambiguity,” said veterinarian Subir Bhattacharya.
FPV is highly contagious and is spread through the faeces of infected cats. Cats do not need to have direct contact to spread the virus. It can be transferred from anything that has come in contact with contaminated faeces, including shoes, clothing or other objects, such as toys, said feline experts.
“Our seven-month old cat Simbu was perfectly fine until she suddenly stopped eating from November 1 and started passing blood mixed stool. We took her to a vet who got her tested and diagnosed her with haemorrhagic gastroenteritis and put her on drip. She was under treatment for almost a week but her condition continued to deteriorate and on November 7, she collapsed,” said Nishita Rakshit, a coding instructor from Garia.
Doctors opined while no specific treatment is available for FPV, the treatment protocol varies from case to case depending on the kind of symptoms. It is also vital that any suspected cases are nursed in isolation. In absence of any specific treatment protocols, doctors stress that FPV can be much better prevented than treated and demanded all cats and kittens be vaccinated.
“There is still reluctance among a large section of cat lovers to get the felines vaccinated. Every kitten should be vaccinated with CRP vaccine, which acts as a shield against diseases like calicivirus, rhinotracheitis virus and panleukopenia virus,” said doctor Krishanu Ghosh.