Virus prompts cat quarantine at Va. shelter

LYNDHURST, Va. (AP) — The Shenandoah Valley Animal Services Center has temporarily stopped accepting cats following the death of a kitten from a virus.

The shelter imposed the 14-day quarantine on Aug. 8. No cats will be accepted while the quarantine is in effect.

Shelter director Lindsey Huffman tells The News-Virginian (http://bit.ly/1oZrkw3 ) that the quarantine is a precautionary measure. She says all of the other cats and kittens at the shelter have been vaccinated against the virus and can be adopted.

She says a kitten dropped off at the shelter on Aug. 8 died from panleukopenia.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, panleukopenia targets the intestines. The virus also damages a cat’s white blood cells and immune system.

___

Information from: The News-Virginian, http://www.newsvirginian.com

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up