In adult cats that have a strong immune system or are vaccinated, they may contact the virus but keep it in check and not become ill.
If your cat vomits on a regular basis, for example due to hairballs, you will have to judge whether the vomiting your cat is doing is out of character or just its normal behavior.
It is estimated that around 50 - 90 % of the cats that come into contact with the virus die as a result. [5] X Research source
However, the vet may want to run tests to rule out other causes of a high fever (such as FIP or bacterial infections) and check for a foreign body or other causes of bowel obstruction, such as an intussusception, which is a problem with the intestine that can cause sickness and diarrhea.
Intravenous fluids: Aggressive intravenous fluids can help counteract dehydration. Given the extreme nature of the sickness and diarrhea, the cat may also become depleted in vital electrolytes, minerals, and glucose in the blood stream so these are added to the drip fluid as necessary, in order to normalize levels. [6] X Research source Plasma or blood transfusions: With severe cases, the cat can lose a dangerous amount of blood and become profoundly anemic and also protein depleted. Finding blood for blood transfusions in the cat can be difficult but where the clinic has the resources to source a blood donor and match blood types, a blood transfusion can be life saving. [7] X Research source
Antibiotics are usually given by injection as the gut is compromised by the sickness and diarrhea.
Antiemetics are anti-nausea medications, which include metoclopramide or maropitant.
It is licensed for this use in dogs and helps to strengthen the immune system to fight the infection.
The cat should be turned regularly, such as every half hour, and the side it is lying on changed. This reduces the risk of blood pooling on one side of the body, which can induce a form of pneumonia.
It is your job to care for the cat as best you can. This means making it as comfortable and pain free as possible.
Thereafter, the cat requires a booster after twelve months, and then vaccination every third year to extend the protection.
It is best to keep kittens away from other cats, expect for their litter mates and their mother.
Because the virus can be spread easily, it’s also important to wash your hands before handling young kittens. This is especially important if you have been petting other cats recently. [16] X Research source
If you have multiple cats in your house it is most likely that they are all infected if one is infected. However, it’s important to isolate the infected cat completely if by chance your other cats are not infected.
