The virus, panleukopenia, is highly contagious to cats and kittens, and is spread by direct contact with infected animals or their bodily fluids.
The disease is completely harmless to humans, said Dr. Leonard Sigdestad, veterinarian at the Loma Linda Animal Hospital
"We took in a cat that displayed symptoms of the disease, and after the veterinarian diagnosed the cat, shelter employees quarantined the feline," said police Lt. Paul Williams. "We have taken every precaution to ensure the safety of all animals at the shelter."
The shelter is still taking in cats and kittens, but the ones infected with the disease are in an outdoor shaded kennel to stop the parvo-like disease from spreading, Williams said.
"Mortality rate for cats with the disease is 90 percent without treatment," Sigdestad said. "With treatment though it's around 20 percent."
"It only attacks the feline family," he added. "Lions, Minks, ferrets, raccoons, and house cats."
The virus strikes white blood cells and reduces the circulating white cells (leukopenia cells) giving the disease its name.
Signs of the infection appear about two to 10 days after the animal is exposed, Williams said.
"We
have postponed any adoption of cats or kittens to ensure they are free of the disease before going to a loving home," Williams said.Symptoms may include loss of appetite, severe apathy, and fever, according to Pets WebMD.
Most cats are exposed to panleukopenia sometime during their life, according to Pets WebMD. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent serious infection.
"We are in the process of sanitizing the kennels and vaccinating all of the cats so they can be adopted out to families." Williams said.
Source: http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_23659130?source=rss
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