Pet Care Tips, Advice and Information

Considered to be the most serious disease of cats and frequently occurring in severe outbreaks, feline enteritis is especially disastrous to young animals, among which the mortality rate is often higher than 80 percent. The virus that causes the disease is spread by direct or indirect contact and by fleas. Stein describes the disease as sudden in its appearance and rapid and violent in its course, producing high fever, an acute inflammation of the intestinal tract a marked decrease in the number of white blood cells, great depression, and rapid loss of flesh. Sometimes kittens die before any apparent symptoms develop. Parasitic infestation, undernourishment, another devitalizing factors lower the resistance of animals.

Reports indicate that certain biological products-vaccines; antisera, and bacterins—are of value in combating feline enteritis, some being used as preventives and others to furnish temporary immunity or, in the early stages of the disease, to reduce the violence of its course. The administration of these products, or of drugs, should be undertaken only by a veterinarian. Affected cats should be immediately isolated, kept is warm dry quarters, and fed broth, milk, and raw eggs if they will take nourishment. It is important to disinfect the quarters thoroughly and to eliminate fleas.