THE KAMLOOPS NEWS May 13/05
Virus forces SPCA to euthanize cats

The Kamloops SPCA shelter has had to euthanize 59 cats in an effort to stop an outbreak of feline distemper.

Shelter manager Jennifer Gore said Thursday the highly contagious virus was discovered after several unexpected deaths of cats as well as others showing signs such as vomiting, lethargy and quickly declining health.

The Kamloops branch still has about 90 to 100 cats, either in sterilized parts of the shelter or in foster homes, which weren’t affected.

Gore said staff are continuing sterilizing the shelter with bleach and painting the rooms where cats have been housed. On top of that, anything that can’t be sterilized like scratching posts, had to be thrown out.

“We had to euthanize some cats that were potential carriers. Any cat not vaccinated or that hasn’t had long enough for the vaccine to kick in is at risk,” she said, adding it’s unknown where the virus originated.

“It’s a very difficult thing to actually confirm. But enough information from the vets we have consulted with has confirmed it is feline distemper.”

B.C. SPCA chief animal health officer Dr. Jamie Lawson said the virus can live in the environment for up to a year, so it can linger long after the infected animals are gone.

“It’s environmentally extremely resistant,” he said, noting the virus can be spread by air currents (such as those created by fans), on the hands of people handling animals or by the animals themselves.

“It’s usually only fatal to young cats less than six months old. You’ll see lots of deaths up to a year. Many adult cats will get sick, but will recover,” he said.

Those cats that do get over the viral illness can still carry it for weeks afterward, spreading it to others.

Lawson said if feline distemper occurred in a home with just one cat or with others that had been vaccinated for at least two weeks, he would recommend pulling the animal through. He has been involved in animal shelters where it has occurred and tried to isolate the sick animals. But with staff and potential adopters going through the rooms, petting the animals without washing their hands afterward, he found it disillusioning.

“Within two weeks it had spread throughout the shelter. I ended up having to euthanize more animals over a greater period of time than had I made that hard decision at the start,” he said.

The Kamloops shelter isn’t ideally laid out to contain such outbreaks because the rooms are all connected. He recommended one room be sanitized and the cats not at risk be housed there, while those that were sick be euthanized.

“I know how traumatic it was for the staff.”

He said they should know in about another week if their efforts have cleared the shelter of the virus.

Gore said all cats are vaccinated when they enter the shelter, but it takes at least 10 days for it to be effective.

“It’s another reason to spay, neuter and vaccinate your pets,” she said.

She appealed for donations to help with the extra expense the shelter has had to incur as a result of the outbreak. Call for more information at 376-7722.