Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My kitten has feline distemper. How to isolate and clean my home?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 5 months and 3 days old | 4.4 lbs

hi, my 5 mo kitten completed 3 vax got distemper/parvo from my unvax kitten. his symptom is flu, coughing and soft stool. The unvax cat had been isolated 10 days ago in a cage inside a room. so my question, do i need to get another cage to isolate my vax kitten? do i need to bleach my house everyday or once they both recover? is the any risk of reinfection from virus on the house surface?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Lauren Jones VMD

Veterinarian

Published on September 23rd, 2021

If Barney has already been infected with parvovirus (typically called panleukopenia in cats) by your unvaccinated kitten, then there's no need to separate them at this point. However, if you have any other cats in your home, then Barney and the unvaccinated kitten should be strictly isolated from the other cats. If you have other cats in your home, disinfecting with diluted bleach daily is important to prevent further spread. If you do not have other cats, then it's reasonable to wait until both kittens have recovered before thoroughly disinfecting with bleach. With a parvovirus, reinfection is not typically an issue, as it can be with other viruses. If either kitten becomes lethargic, experiences vomiting and/or diarrhea, refuses to eat, or develops any neurologic changes, they should be examined by your vet right away. I've attached a few links below for further reading. I hope that Barney and his friend both make speedy recoveries!

https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/panleukopenia/
https://www.petcoach.co/article/panleukopenia-feline-distemper-in-cats-kittens/

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

My kitten was exposed to parvo. How can I prevent it from getting sick?

Feline parvo, also called panleukopenia, can be spread through the stool, urine, or nasal secretions of affected kittens. I'm glad you kept the kittens separated when they were both in your care. I would make sure you do not let your heathy kitten use any of the bowls, blankets, beds, or litter pans the sick kitten came in contact with. You can clean these items with diluted bleach. Also clean surfaces the sick kitten came in contact with similarly. Signs to watch for include lethargy, diarrhea and poor appetite. Here is a helpful website: https://www.avma.org/public/petcare/pages/Feline-Panleukopenia.aspx. I hope Sebastian does great!! Please let us know if you have further questions.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My kitten died from distemper. How to prepare home for a new cat?

First off, I'm so sorry you recently lost a kitten! An effective disinfectant to feline distemper is bleach. I would use bleach to clean the entire house. You need to get rid of all the kitten's belongs, as they will have the virus on them and it can be passed to any new cat. This includes bedding, toys, and litter boxes. Get all new stuff for the new cat. The most important to way to prevent the next cat from catching is vaccination. I would recommend getting an older cat, around four months of age, who will be fully vaccinated. I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

When is it safe to bring a new kitten home after FPV panleukopenia?

I'm so sorry that your last cat passed away from panleukopenia. This is a parvovirus that is passed through various secretions and can survive fairly readily in the environment. As a result, it's virtually impossible to fully disinfect all materials - particularly carpet, rugs, and upholstered furniture. Hard, nonporous surfaces are much easier to disinfect with bleach diluted with water 1:32 and left on the cleaned surface for at least 5 minutes. Since this parvovirus can survive for up to a year, I would not take the chance of bringing Rag home until he's completed his entire vaccine series. I hope that everything goes well! https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/panleukopenia/

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Is it too late to vaccinate cats exposed to feline panleukopenia?

At this point, it will not help to vaccinate the other cats because they've already been exposed to the virus - all it would do, would be to weaken their immune system. It won't provide protection quickly enough to be of any use. I agree that cleaning and disinfecting the house is a good idea, as well as keeping the infected cat isolated from the others. In 2-3 weeks, you could talk to your veterinarian about vaccinating the other cats if they still aren't showing any symptoms.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

After feline distemper, when can my vaccinated cats use the bedroom?

Feline distemper can last years in the envirom=nment. In order for your cats to be as safe as they can be, they need to complete their series of vaccinations. Since they are adults, that means they need two vaccinations given 3-4 weeks apart for maximum immunity benefits. I would get them both vaccinated again, then repeat it in 3-4 weeks, THEN I might consider letting them back into your bedroom, as long as everything possible inside it has been disinfected with a 1:32 solution of household bleach and water.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My kitten has parasites. How to clean house to prevent reinfection?

Hi. Poor little one! The best way.to disinfect is to always wash hands, clean surefaces with a dilute bleach solution, clean or get new litter box, wash any bedding, place sheet over furniturr for now to wash later, and pick up feces right away and wash hands. Once treatment is all done, repeat and recheck fecal sample for testing

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

How to disinfect a room after sick foster kittens to protect my cat?

Hello and thank you for your question on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Good question! A wide variety of disinfects will deactivate the common viruses repressible for upper respiratory illness in cats as will steam cleaning. Lysol or clorox products or a diluted bleach solution can do the trick. I hope this helps and best of luck

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share