What Are the Symptoms of Cat Parvo?

Feline parvo, commonly called feline distemper, is caused by a virus called panleukopenia. It is a different virus than the parvo virus in dogs, but it causes many of the same symptoms, which largely affect the cat's gastrointestinal tract. The disease can be serious--even fatal--especially in young cats, so recognizing the symptoms and getting treatment quickly is important.

  1. Diarrhea and Vomiting

    • Diarrhea and vomiting are the most common and telltale symptoms of feline parvo. The Cat Health Guide says that diarrhea and vomiting may occur suddenly and can be severe. The diarrhea that accompanies feline parvo is often yellow, foul-smelling and may contain blood.

    Fatigue

    • Another sign of feline parvo is fatigue. A cat with parvo may lack energy and appear listless or lethargic. The diarrhea and vomiting that comes with parvo can lead to a loss of appetite and weight loss that can further decrease your cat's energy level.

    Dehydration

    • Due to the continual diarrhea and vomiting, cats with parvo can become dehydrated quickly. Signs of dehydration may include a lowered body temperature, a dull or rough coat, a loss of skin elasticity and the cat hanging his head over his water bowl but not drinking.

    Other Symptoms

    • Feline parvo can cause many additional symptoms. These include fever, jaundice, a lowered white blood cell count, which can lead to a susceptibility to infection, seizures and coma. Peteducation.com also reports that parvo can cause neurological problems and eye abnormalities in kittens.