Feline Virus Warning Issued for Prince William County Cats

A feline virus found at the county animal shelter came from a stray cat, according to a statement on the shelter’s Facebook page.

“Based on this information we know the virus is active in the community’s cat population,” the statement notes. “All cats, including indoor cats, should be vaccinated. Please contact your veterinarian if your cats are displaying the signs of possible FPV.”

FPV is highly contagious among cats and can be passed from infected cats through bodily fluids and fleas, as well as contaminated food dishes, bedding, litter boxes, and the clothes or hands of people who have treated an infected cat, according to Pets Web MD.

“This should be of particular concern to those cat owners who allow their cats to roam freely outside the home, those who leave food outside for community cats, and those who monitor cat colonies,” according to the shelter statement.

Signs include diarrhea (sometimes bloody),vomiting, lethargy and fever, and death. But diarrhea in an otherwise bright, alert, eating, drinking kitten is more likely due to diet change, stress, parasites or dietary indiscretion.

FPV is not contagious or contractable by humans.

The shelter announced an outbreak of FPV among shelter cats last week, forcing a change in shelter admissions.

Patch file photo