By Amanda Preece, SECN reporter

Cat owners in Calgary are being urged to take precautions with their pets following a feline distemper outbreak at the Calgary Humane Society.  Humane Society staff activated a “code red” status after it was determined that a cat had contracted the virus while staying at the shelter.  Three other cases were confirmed in cats that had contracted the virus prior to arriving at the facility.

“As a disease, it is one of the most serious; it has a 50 to 90 per cent fatality rate,” said Patricia Cameron, Executive Director of the Calgary Humane society.

The southeast shelter, located at 4455 – 110 Ave SE, has temporarily suspended adoption operations in light of the outbreak in order to allow staff to focus on containing the spread of illness.  At-risk cats have been moved out of the shelter to temporary foster families and the cat areas are being sanitized with a virus-killing solution.

The shelter is also asking those who may have cats to surrender to wait until after Sept. 11 to do so, and to be prepared to provide proof of vaccination at the time of surrender.  The Humane Society is encouraging all cat owners to ensure their pets’ vaccinations are up to date, as the feline distemper vaccination affords an extremely high protection rate.

Ms. Cameron cautions pet owners that having a housecat who isn’t permitted outside doesn’t protect pets from exposure.

“You could be walking through the downtown streets, or even through your workplace, and bring it in on your clothes,” she said.

Feline distemper is a life-threatening gastrointestinal virus characterized by fever, lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea.  Highly contagious, infected cats who survive can continue to spread the virus for weeks or even months after recovery.  There is no risk of transmission to dogs or other pets.

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