When cats are infected with feline distemper in the early stage, the first symptoms are fever, lethargy, poor mental state, and anorexia. Vomiting usually occurs 1 to 2 days after fever, and diarrhea may occur later. Some cats may not even have diarrhea at this stage. Therefore, when the owner finds that the cat starts to have symptoms of fever and frequent vomiting, he should be alert that the cat may have suffered from feline distemper, and please send him to the hospital for examination immediately.

Methods for diagnosing feline plague:

1. Routine blood test, which shows a decrease in white blood cells and red blood cells. Feline parvovirus attacks and kills rapidly dividing cells, such as those produced in the bone marrow and intestines, so blood counts usually show a decrease in white blood cells and red blood cells. It is worth noting that on hematological examination, the number of white blood cells will be lower than 5.5, but usually lower than 2. Although many other diseases can also cause leukopenia, combined with the cat’s symptoms, the diagnosis can basically be confirmed.

2. Use fecal antigen detection reagents, commonly known as feline plague test strips. The test strips provide quick, in-house testing for the virus and are inexpensive.