Due to a panleukopenia outbreak at the Moore County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services, the shelter is currently not accepting cat intakes and “some cats will have to be euthanized,” said a Moore County Sheriff’s Department news release on Thursday.
The staff is in the process of contacting people who have adopted cats this past week to inform them of the outbreak.
Animals Services will begin taking in cats on August 26. “This will give the staff enough time to decontaminate the housing area as well as cages, instruments, and other assorted materials,” said the news release.
“Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV, pan-loo-ko-peeneea), also commonly referred to as feline distemper, is a highly contagious and life-threatening viral disease in the cat population,” said the release, referencing PetMD. “This panleukopenia virus affects the rapidly dividing blood cells in the body, primarily the cells in the intestinal tract, bone marrow and skin. Symptoms are as follows: vomiting, diarrhea/bloody diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss, high fever, anemia (due to lowered red blood cells), rough hair coat, complete loss of interest in food, hiding, neurological symptoms (e.g., lack of coordination).”
The “Clear the Shelter” event scheduled for this weekend will still take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 17. There will be both dogs and cats available.
If you have any questions regarding this panleukopenia outbreak, please contact Moore County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services at (910) 947-2858.
Courtesy photo.
