The Kamloops Daily News

Friday, May 27, 2005

Cat virus forces two-week closure
By Michele Young
Daily News Staff Reporter

The Kamloops SPCA is closing its shelter doors to all incoming animals for two weeks as it tries to rid itself of a persistent feline distemper virus that forced the agency to euthanize 90 cats.

Shelter manager Jennifer Gore said Thursday staff are sterilizing the facility for a second time, two weeks after going through a sterilizing attempt to eradicate the virus when it originally broke out.

That first outbreak resulted in 59 cats being euthanized. This second bout led to 31 more deaths – more than half were kittens, who are particularly vulnerable to distemper because of their immature immune systems.

“We had four kittens definitely diagnosed, and several others that were showing some signs. All of these cats were together in the same room. We didn’t have a lot of choice.” Said Gore.

“It’s been a tough week. The first time, everybody just tried to pull through. This time, we’ve got some pretty glum faces around here and lots of tears.”

Fewer than 50 cats remain in the shelter; all are animals that have been vaccinated against the potentially fatal virus.

Gore said the shelter is closed immediately not just to cats, but also dogs and other creatures, as the second sterilization effort is underway.

We’re closed to everything. We don’t want foot traffic in the shelter.” She said. “We will be cleaning the entire shelter from top to bottom.”

None of the animals in the shelter will be adopted out for the two-week quarantine period, either, to ensure they are distemper free.

The virus can survive in the environment for a year. It can be spread easily, from someone petting an infected cat and then touching another or even carrying the virus on a shoe.

Normally, the shelter would take in five to 20 animals a day, Gore said. Dogs are being referred to the city pound, while any cats that can’t be kept are to be taken to the Shuswap SPCA shelter in Salmon Arm.

At least one suspected case of a non-shelter cat showing signs of feline distemper has been noted by a Kamloops veterinarian.

Symptoms of the panleukopenia virus, as it is called medically, include lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, may appear to be drunk or crusting around the eyes and nose.

Kamloops veterinarian Dr.Diane McKelvey said all cat owners in the city should ensure their pet has had its distemper vaccination within the last three years.

“It is the one vaccine every cat should have, indoors or outdoors,” she said. The good news is, the vaccination is pretty well 100 percent effective for about three years.

“It’s hard to protect animals from transferring (the virus) because it lasts so long,” she said.

“My experience with distemper is very bad. Most animals have died.”

The virus attacks the cat’s immune system and kills the cells that make white-blood cells, which defend the body.

(photo insert caption - SPCA Branch Manager Jennifer Gore has had to put up closed signs on the Eight Street shelter as staff use a two-week closure to deal with a disease outbreak.)