A Cautionary Cat “Tail” in Henderson

Feline leukemia isn’t the only problem the kittens can present with and potentially infect other cats (or even humans or dogs) in your household. Let’s briefly examine some of the common issues rescued cats and kittens may bring with them.

Fortunately, in our desert climate here in Henderson, fleas are not really a problem, but they are seen occasionally. Bathing with Dawn dish soap will eliminate the current infestation if you find fleas on a kitten or cat. It’s important to note, however, bathing a cat with Dawn is not a preventative measure – and if you’ve ever given a cat a bath, you’ll quickly realize it’s not necessarily something you want to attempt regularly. (The whole thing about cats not liking water is real – unless it’s on their terms.) Bathing kittens must be done with care; like human babies, they cannot regulate their body temperature and can become dangerously chilled even when bathed in warm water in a warm environment.

A very common major issue is ringworm. Caused by a fungus which feeds on dead skin cells, infected animals will have circular areas of hair loss, skin scaling or crusting, and skin color changes. They will probably groom themselves excessively due to the itchiness of the condition. It can even affect their claws, causing them to be thickened and distorted.

Unfortunately, ringworm is very contagious and can spread to humans and other pets in the home through direct contact. The fungus can survive on carpets and bedding for up to a year and a half, making it difficult to eradicate once it shows up. Fortunately, it is very treatable with oral and topical preparations obtainable from the veterinarian. Expect treatment to last about four to six weeks, possibly longer, and be prepared to disinfect areas the infected animal frequents – including cat trees, cat beds, furniture, etc. Wear disposable gloves when handling infected animals to help minimize your exposure.

Like humans, cats and kittens can have upper respiratory tract infections (URIs). Most otherwise healthy felines can recover from the illness without veterinary intervention. Even healthy, vet-checked cats adopted from a shelter, such as Henderson Animal Shelter, may show signs and symptoms of a URI seven to 10 days after arriving in their new home related to the stress of the shelter and the move. However, kittens and immunocompromised and senior cats may struggle to survive and will need extra attention, likely in the vet’s office.

Symptoms are similar to URIs in humans: Coughing, sneezing, eye drainage, lethargy, decreased appetite, and even fever and difficulty breathing. And just like in humans, URIs are contagious between cats, being transmitted by sneezing and other exposure to secretions.

Depending on the cause (virus versus bacteria) and the severity, treatment can range from supportive care, including putting Kitty in a steamy bathroom or a room with a cool mist humidifier, up to inpatient treatment with an oxygen tent and antibiotics. A veterinary consult is recommended to determine the best course of action, especially for the high-risk groups noted above.

Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), also known as feline distemper or feline parvovirus (to differentiate from the canine diseases with the same names) can be devastating to kittens. One day, they are fine; the next, they are fighting for their lives. FPV is highly contagious and usually fatal, especially for kittens, but can infect unvaccinated cats of any age. Like the FeLV discussed last month, FPV is spread through stool and bodily fluids and via contaminated items such as litter boxes, toys, bedding, and crates or cages.

Treatment must be undertaken immediately at a veterinarian’s office. Fortunately, Henderson has emergency veterinarians who are open after typical office hours and can care for these ill felines, such as the Veterinary Emergency Group on Stephanie Street. Symptomatic and supportive care, including isolation, intravenous (IV) fluids, nutritional support, pain management, and possibly antibiotics, are utilized to rectify the situation. Sadly, kittens under five months of age have a very high mortality rate from “panleuk” (as many in the cat community refer to it).

The good news is the FPV is preventable with a vaccine. A combination vaccine known as FVRCP which prevents three different illnesses is given as a series of shots to kittens and a booster vaccine for adult cats. (The vaccine prevents feline calicivirus and feline herpesvirus I, in addition to FPV.)

Having the kittens and Momma Cat you want to help seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible is crucial for their health, the health of any cats in your home, and even your human family’s health. The cat and kittens can be tested for FeLV and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) if the vet feels it’s warranted; FIV is generally only transmitted via bite wounds, such as those seen in adult unaltered males which fight. Since FeLV can be transmitted via Momma Cat’s milk to the kittens, testing and vaccinating for the condition should be done. The cats can also be checked for ringworm, URI symptoms, eye infections (another common problem in kittens born outdoors), general healthiness, and any injuries they may have. (The rescue I foster for currently has two kittens in foster care who have each had a leg amputated due to injuries sustained prior to being captured.)

My FeLV-positive foster kittens whom died had been vaccinated. However, the vaccine may have been given after they contracted the virus, which led to them being unable to fight off the infections they contracted. Following their deaths, I completely disinfected their playpen, including all bedding. I threw away toys which could not be adequately cleaned with bleach wipes. Put the litter box in the trash. Ran their dishes through the dishwasher – I use stainless steel dishes which are easier to clean. Salsa, the surviving kitten, moved into a very clean environment and has thrived, although she remains small for her age.

Many of these serious health issues can be eliminated completely with spaying and neutering to prevent unexpected, unhealthy litters of kittens being born in our Henderson community. Short of which, vaccinating all animals to prevent the spread of diseases like distemper (panleukopenia) and FeLV is crucial. But none of this happens without the assistance of humans, so please do help the Momma Cat and babies in the neighbor’s garage – but keep yourself and your family safe when you do.