Born With Feline Distemper: Lola's Story

A kind-hearted neighbor found a litter of several five-week-old stray kittens. Knowing that without medical attention, these poor kittens had no chance of survival, he brought them into NOVA Pets for help.  Soon after their arrival, unwelcome symptoms - vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and high fever – kicked in. The kittens had Feline Distemper, a highly contagious parovoviral infection that causes severe acute gastro- enteritis and leukopenia in cats. Dr. Masood and his veterinary staff began treatment immediately but sadly, within an hour of receiving treatment, only one survived; she was named Lola.

Lola is now one of the three feline friends living in the kitty condos at NOVA Pets Boarding Retreat.  Along with her buddies Max and Obee, she enjoys wandering around the office and sitting on the other side of doorways - tripping people as they walk through. 

Feline Distemper is known by a number of different terms, including Feline Parvovirus (FPV), Feline Infectious Enteritis (enteritis refers to the inflammation or infection of the small intestine), and Panleukopenia (a term referring to the development of a low white blood cell count). However, it is important to understand that these are all colloquial terms for a severe and life-threatening disease in cats.

The Feline Distemper virus affects a cat’s immune system by destroying white blood cells and leaving the cat unable to fight off other diseases and infections. It can also cause acute gastroenteritis, which affects the cat’s digestive functions and renders the intestines unable to digest food or absorb nutrients. In certain instances, some of the kittens in the litter may be born uncoordinated and have tremors, especially of the head. These nervous system changes are caused by the effect of the virus on the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for coordinating muscle movement. This condition, called “cerebellar hypoplasia,” is what Lola now lives with.

So what causes feline distemper? Kittens acquire the virus in-utero or through breast milk if the mother is infected. Generally, kittens who have been exposed to the virus before birth have a very small chance of survival. Adult cats, on the other hand, acquire the virus through contact with infected blood, feces, urine, or fleas. It can also be transmitted by people who have handled infected cats without washing their hands properly, or by objects - such as bedding, toys, or dishes - that have been used by infected cats.

Feline Distemper is extremely contagious and chances of survival are low. The most important and reliable tool for preventing this fatal virus is keeping up with the appropriate vaccination schedule. This consists of  four FVRCP vaccinations, which should be administered three weeks apart. The shots are usually started at six to eight weeks of age, but can be given to unvaccinated adult cats as well. An annual booster should then ad- ministered for the remainder of the cat’s life.

Lola was lucky to survive, and while she does enjoy a life filled with love and happiness, the cerebellar hypoplasia limits her ability to play and jump freely the way her other feline friends do.