A temporary closure has been placed on the feline areas at the Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown (ARL).

Last weekend, a litter of cats was brought to the ARL, but one of them was sick.

“We took a sick cat to our vet to get checked out for an unknown illness,” said ARL Executive Director Austin Gillis. “During that time, a litter mate to that cat tested positive. One cat became ill over the weekend and slowly got worse. It was determined to get her an appointment ASAP.”

The test revealed the cat was sick with Panleukopenia (PanLeuk), also known as feline distemper, a highly contagious and often fatal viral illness.

The symptomatic cat which was taken to the vet was humanely euthanized due to the advanced stage of the illness. The other cats are in an isolation room at the ARL.

“Only one other cat is showing symptoms at this time, but all of the cats from that litter have tested positive,” Gillis said. “So far, this has been contained to the cats that came in together. So, five total kittens.”

Knowing the illness was present, the ARL shut down the cat areas and will remain closed until they have 14 days with no positive tests for PanLeuk.

It is not the first time the ARL has dealt with the illness. Gillis said it snuck in one time before he was hired.

With the five cats being strays and some having PanLeuk, he said it is a possibility that the illness is already in unvaccinated or outdoor cats in Marshalltown. He added that it exists in the general cat population nationwide and is impossible to estimate a local rate.

For Marshalltown residents who have indoor cats, Gillis said it would be wise to ensure they are fully vaccinated with FVRCP and to avoid contact with unfamiliar cats. Not only does the vaccine protect against PanLeuk, but also against feline viral rhinotracheitis and calicivirus.

“Keep them indoors if they are unvaccinated, elderly or immunocompromised,” he said. “For fully vaccinated adult cats, the risk remains very low.”

Gillis assured the closure is temporary and is only a precaution to protect the animals in their care to prevent any potential spread.

“We’re grateful for the community’s understanding, and will reopen the cat areas as soon as it is safe to do so,” he said.

SYMPTOMS:

Cats can get PanLeuk through direct contact with an infected cat, fleas from an infected cat and contaminated surfaces. If it is suspected a cat has been infected, the owner should contact the veterinarian immediately. Symptoms a cat infected with PanLeuk will display include:

• Vomiting;

• Diarrhea;

• Fever;

• Fatigue;

• Loss of appetite;

• Sudden collapses.

——-

Contact Lana Bradstream

at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.