How can you tell if a cat has Distemper?

Question

My cay is walking funny and has weird mood swings. Every one I have talked to says they think she has Distemper but I want to know for sure. All I know is its deadly & there is no cure for it.

Answer 1

The symptoms of panleukopenia can be similar to distemper in dogs (vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures), which is why the disease is sometimes called 'feline distemper.' Panleukopenia in young unvaccinated kittens is usually fatal.

Young Cats: Many older cats who are exposed to feline panleukopenia virus do not show symptoms. However, young (3-5 months old) unvaccinated cats can become seriously ill. The onset of symptoms is sudden and cats will start out with fevers of 104-107°F, depression, and will not eat. These symptoms appear so suddenly, some owners think their pet has been poisoned. Three to four days later they will start vomiting and can become severely dehydrated. Severely dehydrated cats may hang their heads over the water bowl, but not drink. Diarrhea can also occur and may be bloody.

A cat who becomes severely dehydrated may develop a lower than normal body temperature hypothermia, become weak and even comatose. Such a cat is very susceptible to developing a bacterial infection in addition to the viral infection.

Cats who survive the symptoms for longer than five days will usually survive, but complete recovery (regaining of weight) may take several weeks.

Pregnant Cats and Their Litters: Pregnant cats who become infected with panleukopenia may abort or have stillborn kittens. In some cases, some of the kittens in the litter will be born incoordinated and have tremors, especially of the head. These nervous system changes are caused by the panleukopenia virus affecting the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for coordinating muscle movement. Mentally, these cats appear normal. As the kittens grow, they may be able to compensate and lead relatively normal lives.

Kittens may also have abnormalities of the retina of the eye (the back of the eye which receives the light and sends signals to the brain).


You vet will take into account the medical history, symptoms, physical exam, and laboratory testing to make a diagnosis of panleukopenia. Panleukopenia must be differentiated from feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection, salmonellosis, and perforation of the intestine, as can be seen with a linear foreign body.

On a physical exam, the vet would find fever, dehydration, depression, and when palpating (feeling) the abdomen, find that the intestines were thickened and the lymph nodes in the abdomen are enlarged. The abdomen is often painful.

Cats with panleukopenia will have a low white blood cell count, although this can be seen in diseases other than panleukopenia. Some cats will also show a decrease in the number of platelets (the components of the blood which help it to clot).

Test kits are available to detect the virus in the feces. Blood tests to look for antibodies (proteins produced by the body to destroy foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses) to the virus can be performed, but these tests are more commonly used for research rather than diagnosis. The virus can also be isolated from the feces or urine, but again, this is a time-consuming and expensive test which is usually performed in research situations.


The treatment for panleukopenia is basically supportive care. Fluids are given intravenously or subcutaneously to correct the dehydration. Blood transfusions may be given to severely affected cats. Medications would be given to stop the vomiting. Antibiotics may be given to protect the sick cat from developing a bacterial infection. Injections of B vitamins are also given. Once the vomiting has stopped, the cat can be placed on a bland diet with small portions given frequently.

Answer 2

Well there could be many things causing this problem. Usually distemper is a pretty quick decline.. you'll see loss in muscle mass, uncontrollable twitching, spasms, etc. However, depending on your cats age there is the possibility of a stroke, leukemia, aids, and other issues. Walking funny usually has to do with a neurological problem or inner ear problem. Id recommend getting your kitty to the vet just to be safe

Answer 3

This is true. But you need to be careful for your own safety too. Distemper and rabies have a lot of the same symptoms. The major thing is their gate. If she is walking funny, that's the first sign. These things affect the central nervous system and that's why you see them walking funny and acting completely abnormal. I don't know if she has been outside, but rabies season is upon us and just be aware that could be a possibility too. Take her to the vet. Keep yourself safe. No scratches or bites.

Answer 4

as quickly as the cat is an grownup and has all their grownup tooth, guessing the age is only that--a guess (so i became instructed by ability of the vets I worked for). If he would not chunk nicely he would have dental issues and desires his mouth and tooth regarded at. Even quite youthful cats (like 5 or 6) could have dental issues. while you're only getting the distemper mixture (many times includes 2 greater respiration viruses to boot) it is going to likely be one vaccine. After the 2d, you will desire to be waiting to pass a minimum of two years between them and 3 years between rabies vaccines. desire it incredibly is sensible!

Answer 5

Very high temp. not eating , no drinking ,no engery. The temp will go up to 106. Bring the cat to the vet if you are not sure because it can kill the cat. A cat that I had was sick with it because of the vets fault because he gave her to much in the shot. He got Fired of course.

Answer 6

Has she had any vaccines? Does she go outside? Has she been in any fights? How old is she, and is she spayed? Take her to the vet for a checkup, it could be anything from rabies to she's in heat.

Answer 7

Sever lethargy, vomiting, diarrhoea, no appetite, and running a fever.

Answer 8

my cat cant mew tou loud and hacking some times what could it be hairball maybe or could it be stemper

Answer 9

go to the vet or ring them tell the symtoms

Answer 10

Tell him a joke. If he gets pissed off, well, there ya go.