CAT RESCUE EXPERIENCES DEVASTATION
CAT RESCUE IN EXTREME CRISIS
We, at WILD WHISKERS RESCUE, a cat rescue organization committed to saving abandoned abused and injured cats and kittens, is currently experiencing every rescue's worst nightmare – a truly DEVASTATING situation. We are deeply saddened and heartbroken to announce that we have lost over 25 cats thus far to an outbreak of Panleukopenia, also known as kitty parvo, kitty distemper, and kitty plague...and the number of deaths is still growing. Thus far, this incredibly contagious cat disease has spread to multiple foster locations. The strain we are experiencing seems to be a new, very virulent strain. From first signs of illness to death has been as little as a few hours and maximum of 8 hours. Kittens of various ages, and some even with full vaccinations, have succumbed to this horrendous virus. We have even lost a few adult cats. The disease has even spread to the feral colony of approximately 100 cats that we have been supporting. The horrific devastation is unimaginiable.
A little background regarding Panleukopenia. Feline panleukopenia (FP) is a severe, highly contagious viral disease of cats, kittens, raccoons, and mink caused by the feline parvovirus. The panleukopenia virus tends to invade, infect and kill cells which are rapidly growing and dividing, such as those of the digestive system (intestines), bone marrow (which makes blood cells), lymph tissue, developing nervous system and even developing fetus. This explains the common symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, low white blood cell count, and seizures. Kittens are most severely affected by the virus. The names feline distemper and feline parvo should not be confused with canine distemper or canine parvo— although their names are similar, they are caused by different viruses. The viruses do not infect people.
Cats can shed the virus in their urine, stool, and nasal secretions; thus infection occurs when susceptible cats come in contact with these secretions, or even the fleas from infected cats. Bedding, cages, food dishes, and the hands or clothing of people who handle the infected cat may harbor the virus and transmit it to other cats. It is, therefore, very important to isolate infected cats. All surfaces and clothing should be treated with a solution of 10% bleach to water. Unfortunately, there are no medications capable of killing the virus in the cats themselves. Therefore, intensive care and treatment (medications for symptoms and IV or subcutaneous fluids) are critical to support the cat’s health until its own body and immune system can fight off the virus. Without such supportive care, up to 90% of cats with FP may die.
The very best defense for dealing with Panleukopenia is offense. While there is no guarantee that vaccinations will stop all cats from acquiring the disease, it’s the best solution out there. We HIGHLY ENCOURAGE AND RECOMMEND that ALL kittens be vaccinated at 8, 12 and 16 weeks with FVRCP vaccination. If you add a kitten that is older than 16 weeks (even adults) and you do NOT know the vaccination record, PLEASE be sure they have AT LEAST two vaccinations, between 3 and 4 weeks apart. It does NOT matter if your cat is indoors only as YOU can bring the virus into the home unknowingly. Trust us...you do NOT EVER want to experience the trauma that we are enduring!
We are doing everything in our power to curtail this plague, but PanLeukopenia is one of THE most difficult diseases to rein in, if not THE MOST. We have had to remove carpets in the houses, bleach everything we can, throw away most things that are not nailed down, separate every cat into its own carrier or crate, vaccinate all cats over 8 weeks old twice (or even 3 times) even if previously vaccinated, buy all new bedding, towels, dishes, toys, etc. For the safety of cats in other homes, we can not adopt any cat from the contaminated homes. We can not take the 25 to 50 feral cats to be spayed or neutered at the feral fix-a-thon in early November (as originally planned) nor can we take any cat/kitten inside the homes to be spayed or neutered for fear of spreading the disease. So with virtually no source of income, cats and kittens needing to remain in our care for an extended length of time, and substantially increased expenses in combating the virus, we are in need of donations more than ever. We have the costs of food, vaccinations, vet bill's, new cat everything, supplies, cremation fees, and the list goes on. We know we have asked for donations for specific cats frequently in the past, but we are in an EXTREMELY desperate situation. As you can well imagine, all these costs to care for the remaining cats are staggering. The emotional stress has been insurmountable. We are drained in every way possible. We have never needed more support than we need right now from this generous community.
PLEASE open your hearts and wallets to support us during this nightmare.
Thank you, in advance, from all of us at Wild Whiskers Rescue.
We, at WILD WHISKERS RESCUE, a cat rescue organization committed to saving abandoned abused and injured cats and kittens, is currently experiencing every rescue's worst nightmare – a truly DEVASTATING situation. We are deeply saddened and heartbroken to announce that we have lost over 25 cats thus far to an outbreak of Panleukopenia, also known as kitty parvo, kitty distemper, and kitty plague...and the number of deaths is still growing. Thus far, this incredibly contagious cat disease has spread to multiple foster locations. The strain we are experiencing seems to be a new, very virulent strain. From first signs of illness to death has been as little as a few hours and maximum of 8 hours. Kittens of various ages, and some even with full vaccinations, have succumbed to this horrendous virus. We have even lost a few adult cats. The disease has even spread to the feral colony of approximately 100 cats that we have been supporting. The horrific devastation is unimaginiable.
A little background regarding Panleukopenia. Feline panleukopenia (FP) is a severe, highly contagious viral disease of cats, kittens, raccoons, and mink caused by the feline parvovirus. The panleukopenia virus tends to invade, infect and kill cells which are rapidly growing and dividing, such as those of the digestive system (intestines), bone marrow (which makes blood cells), lymph tissue, developing nervous system and even developing fetus. This explains the common symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, low white blood cell count, and seizures. Kittens are most severely affected by the virus. The names feline distemper and feline parvo should not be confused with canine distemper or canine parvo— although their names are similar, they are caused by different viruses. The viruses do not infect people.
Cats can shed the virus in their urine, stool, and nasal secretions; thus infection occurs when susceptible cats come in contact with these secretions, or even the fleas from infected cats. Bedding, cages, food dishes, and the hands or clothing of people who handle the infected cat may harbor the virus and transmit it to other cats. It is, therefore, very important to isolate infected cats. All surfaces and clothing should be treated with a solution of 10% bleach to water. Unfortunately, there are no medications capable of killing the virus in the cats themselves. Therefore, intensive care and treatment (medications for symptoms and IV or subcutaneous fluids) are critical to support the cat’s health until its own body and immune system can fight off the virus. Without such supportive care, up to 90% of cats with FP may die.
The very best defense for dealing with Panleukopenia is offense. While there is no guarantee that vaccinations will stop all cats from acquiring the disease, it’s the best solution out there. We HIGHLY ENCOURAGE AND RECOMMEND that ALL kittens be vaccinated at 8, 12 and 16 weeks with FVRCP vaccination. If you add a kitten that is older than 16 weeks (even adults) and you do NOT know the vaccination record, PLEASE be sure they have AT LEAST two vaccinations, between 3 and 4 weeks apart. It does NOT matter if your cat is indoors only as YOU can bring the virus into the home unknowingly. Trust us...you do NOT EVER want to experience the trauma that we are enduring!
We are doing everything in our power to curtail this plague, but PanLeukopenia is one of THE most difficult diseases to rein in, if not THE MOST. We have had to remove carpets in the houses, bleach everything we can, throw away most things that are not nailed down, separate every cat into its own carrier or crate, vaccinate all cats over 8 weeks old twice (or even 3 times) even if previously vaccinated, buy all new bedding, towels, dishes, toys, etc. For the safety of cats in other homes, we can not adopt any cat from the contaminated homes. We can not take the 25 to 50 feral cats to be spayed or neutered at the feral fix-a-thon in early November (as originally planned) nor can we take any cat/kitten inside the homes to be spayed or neutered for fear of spreading the disease. So with virtually no source of income, cats and kittens needing to remain in our care for an extended length of time, and substantially increased expenses in combating the virus, we are in need of donations more than ever. We have the costs of food, vaccinations, vet bill's, new cat everything, supplies, cremation fees, and the list goes on. We know we have asked for donations for specific cats frequently in the past, but we are in an EXTREMELY desperate situation. As you can well imagine, all these costs to care for the remaining cats are staggering. The emotional stress has been insurmountable. We are drained in every way possible. We have never needed more support than we need right now from this generous community.
PLEASE open your hearts and wallets to support us during this nightmare.
Thank you, in advance, from all of us at Wild Whiskers Rescue.
Organizer