Can cats infect dogs with feline distemper?

No, feline distemper, also known as feline panleukopenia, is a viral gastroenteritis caused by a parvovirus. The parvovirus that causes feline distemper is a mutated form of the virus, which mainly infects cats, while the parvovirus in dogs is not as strong as that in cats. Therefore, we usually recommend that if a kitten is found to have feline distemper at home, it is necessary to isolate the kitten immediately and disinfect the house thoroughly to avoid direct contact between the kitten and the dog, thus eliminating the potential possibility of the dog being infected with the parvovirus.

How to treat feline distemper

The current treatment for feline distemper mainly consists of antiviral fluid therapy and injection treatment, as well as symptomatic fluid therapy for inflammation and nutrition to maintain the cat's condition. The treatment cycle for feline distemper is usually about seven days, with the most severe stage being days three to five, when the cat's white blood cell count may drop rapidly and even vomit or bleed. Feline distemper cannot be treated at home, and the success rate of home treatment is generally around 10%. This is because home treatment cannot involve fluid therapy, so cats can only be given injections. When a cat starts to vomit and refuse to eat and drink, it can only be given medication to alleviate hypoglycemia and prevent dehydration, which has a very weak effect on improving the cat's physical condition.

Precautions for feline distemper

The main source of infection is infected cats. In natural conditions, the disease is mainly transmitted directly or indirectly through contact. Cats infected with the virus develop a viral hemorrhagic fever, and within a week, they excrete the virus through urine, feces, nasal and eye secretions, saliva, and vomit. Even after recovery, they can still excrete the virus in feces and urine for several weeks or even more than a year. Therefore, sick cats need to be isolated for treatment, and multi-pet households need to pay attention to isolation.

How to care for cats with feline distemper
Improve the living environment of the cat, ensuring a constant temperature of 23-25 degrees Celsius (the cat should not be allowed to catch a cold, as this may exacerbate the disease).
Improve the cat's diet by feeding it specialized cat food, soak it in warm water, and mix it into a paste (digestible, easy to absorb, mild on the gastrointestinal tract, and helpful in maintaining the cat's condition). Feed the cat small meals frequently.
Temporarily stop offering other foods, as a diverse diet increases the cat's gastrointestinal burden.
Simultaneously, administer oral medications specifically designed for pets to provide gastrointestinal nutrition, alleviate inflammation, promote mucosal recovery, adjust the gastrointestinal flora, and facilitate digestion, helping the cat's gastrointestinal system recover.
How to determine if a cat has recovered from feline distemper

The typical treatment cycle for feline distemper is about seven days, with the most severe stage being days three to five. Judging whether a cat has recovered from feline distemper depends on whether the cat is able to eat and drink normally and does not vomit or have diarrhea. Secondly, a blood test should be performed. If the cat's white blood cell count has decreased, reaches its lowest point, and then rises back to normal, and the level of serum amyloid acid (SAA) is also within the normal range, the cat has recovered and can stop taking medication.