As a result of a potential feline panleukopenia case last week, Lincoln County Animal Services will not be openly accepting cats or kittens for 14 days.
LCAS wishes to educate cat owners and inform the community about feline panleukopenia, and how our daily operations will be changing given this potential discovery.
What is Feline Panleukopenia?
Feline panleukopenia is a highly contagious viral infection seen every year in kittens and unvaccinated domestic cats out in the community. The incubation period for this virus is 14 days.
What are the symptoms of Feline Panleukopenia?
Cats infected with the virus may show symptoms that include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, lack of appetite, lethargy, fever, decreased appetite, or sudden death.
How is Feline Panleukopenia transmitted?
The virus is transmitted from cat to cat through the fecal-oral route. Kittens, unvaccinated cats (such as barn cats or those that are feral), and cats living in large groups (such as animal shelters and rescue facilities) are most at risk for outbreaks.
What can you do to prevent it?
In order to protect your cat or kitten from feline panleukopenia, be sure to talk to your veterinarian, and make sure that your cat is currently vaccinated against the virus.
What are we doing at LCAS?
Upon discovering the potential of feline panleukopenia in the shelter, LCAS has put into effect quarantine, medical, and cleaning protocols for the potentially exposed cats, in order to prevent an outbreak. To provide the best care for the cats in our shelter, and in the community, we are not accepting any kittens through 10/07/2016, and will only be accepting cats on a limited case by case basis after 10/1/2016. This will allow us to comply with top animal sheltering protocols recommending a full two-week quarantine. The purpose of this quarantine is to ensure no other cats in our care are suffering from the virus, and to make sure that no other healthy cats entering the shelter from the community are exposed. While we currently vaccinate all cats and kittens old enough for feline panleukopenia upon intake, we are also updating our vaccine protocols, and we are providing continuing educating for staff on how to properly manage this virus in the shelter environment.
If you have any questions or concerns, or for more information, please contact us at 704-736-4125.