Thursday, 26 May 2005, at 9:23 p.m.

Feline Distemper Hits Kamloops SPCA

The Kamloops Branch of the BCSPCA is dealing with a second outbreak of feline distemper in just over two weeks. On May 10th, 59 cats were euthanized to prevent spread of this deadly virus. Yesterday, the shelter was forced to euthanize another 31 cats after four kittens were confirmed to have panleukopenia, the feline form of parvovirus.

Experts in the field of animal sheltering recommend euthanasia of all cats in the shelter who are not protected from this disease in order to prevent spread of the disease within the shelter and through the community. Without such steps the disease can become endemic to a shelter.

This has been an extremely difficult and emotional time for staff and volunteers. We recognize that this tough decision was in the best interest of future animals that will come into our care and other animals in our community.

Signs to watch for in your cat include: vomiting, diarrhea, depression, dehydration, may appear to be drunk or crusting around the eyes and nose. If your cat displays any of the above symptoms, please contact your local veterinarian.

We ask for the public’s patience and support as we close the shelter for the next two weeks in an attempt to control the virus. Staff and volunteers will continue to disinfect the shelter. People wanting to surrender an animal to the shelter are asked to make arrangements to keep their animal or to make additional attempts to find the owner of any stray animals.

If it is not possible to keep the dog or cat yourself, you are asked to go to the Shuswap Branch of the BCSPCA in Salmon Arm. Stray dogs from within city limits can be taken to the City of Kamloops Animal Control facility on Mission Flats Road.

The BCSPCA would like remind all pet owners to vaccinate their pets and please spay and neuter. Please contact us at 376-7722 for further information.