----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2001 9:22
AM
Subject: RE: Cat virus?
I had
not heard about this. Are indoor cats at risk?
Sharon
FYI-- I found this on another site and it
concerned me. I thought everyone should be aware if it becomes a
problem. I know I didn't find out about FELV /FIV virus
until it was too late.
Have any of you heard of this particular
virus? This is what I have found and I cut and pasted it from the
other list to share with all of you:
Northeastern United States Experiencing Isolated
Outbreaks of Virulent Feline Calicivirus Infection
September 20,
2001
The Cornell Feline Health Center has received reports of a highly
virulent infection of kittens and adult cats in several animal shelters and
veterinary hospitals in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New York. The
Diagnostic Laboratory, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine,
Ithaca, New York, has isolated feline calicivirus (FCV) in samples submitted
from affected cats. A consistently observed sign is subcutaneous swelling and
edema of the face, pinnae, and/or distal extremities; ulceration and
necrosis of sections of the skin in affected areas may develop in more chronic
cases. Other less consistent signs include rhinitis and conjunctivitis of
variable severity, inappetance, and death. This outbreak shares features with
a calicivirus epizootic in cats in California in 1998-99 (Pedersen,N.C.,
Elliot,J.B., Glasgow,A., Poland,A., Keel,K., 2000.
An isolated epizootic of hemorrhagic-like fever in
cats caused by a novel and highly virulent strain of feline calicivirus. Vet.
Microbiol 73, 281-300). Mortality in the California outbreak was reported to
be33-50% in field study cats, deliberately infected laboratory cats, and
inadvertently infected laboratory cats.
Cat-to-cat and fomite
transmission of the agent appears to be efficient, and multiple cases have
arisen in shelters and clinics after introduction of an affected cat.
Quaternary ammonium disinfectants do not reliably inactivate caliciviruses; a
1:32 dilution of sodium hypochlorite in water is the preferred disinfectant.
Immunity induced by currently available FCV
vaccines appears to be
minimally effective in preventing disease produced by this virus
isolate.
Veterinarians observing cases consistent with this description
are asked to contact Dr. James Richards, Director of the Cornell Feline Health
Center (
[EMAIL PROTECTED]).
http://bemikitties.com/msslippers
"There
Are Angels Among Us. One Of Them May Be The Little Cat At Your Door.Take It
In. Feed It. Love It. And You Will Know The Purpose Of
God."
A Tribute to Ms.
Slippers
