TAMPA, Fla. – The Humane Society of Tampa Bay is halting all stray cat or kitten intakes until later this month due to a disease outbreak, officials said.
What we know:
The shelter said they’ve stopped all stray cat or kitten intakes due to a highly contagious and deadly strain of feline panleukopenia, also known as feline distemper. The quarantine took effect on Friday and will be in effect until Friday, November 21.
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However, shelter officials said they are still accepting surrendered cats that are over four months old – if space allows.
Dig deeper:
Feline panleukopenia most often impacts young, unvaccinated or immunocompromised kitten, according to HSTB. It can remain hidden for several days after exposure, but officials said once symptoms appear, it progresses quickly and can be painful.
What they’re saying:
“This was a heartbreaking but necessary decision, made with great care and guidance from trusted veterinary experts,” the Humane Society of Tampa Bay said in a social media post. “We’ve seen a steady increase in both the number and severity of cases, and it’s our duty to protect our community and help stop the spread of this devastating disease.”
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What you can do:
Here’s some of the symptoms to look out for:
FeverVomitingDiarrheaSevere dehydrationLethargy or depressionLoss of appetite
HSTB officials said if your cat or kitten is showing signs of the disease, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
The Source: The information in this story was released by the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.