Prince William Shelter Cats Contract Calicivirus

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Submitted by the Prince William Police 

The Prince William County Animal Shelter is sad to report that we have received laboratory results confirming the calicivirus has been introduced to the shelter and the majority of cats in the shelter have been infected.

Due to the virus, the shelter has euthanized more than 80 cats in its care. Others are being monitored for signs of the infection.

Calicivirus, known as calici, is a highly contagious virus that causes upper respiratory and oral disease in cats. The virus has a tendency to mutate, rendering preventative vaccinations in a shelter environment virtually ineffective.  Since calici is a virus, there is no specific treatment, only supportive care.

Calicivirus is spread primarily by contact with an infected animal's aerosolized respiratory excretions, urine and feces. It can also be spread through contact with bedding, food dishes, as well as the hands, clothing, and shoes of people who have handled infected animals. This should be of particular concern to cat owners who allow their cats to roam freely outside the home, leave food outside for community cats, and those who monitor cat colonies.

The shelter vaccinates cats for upper respiratory infections and our veterinarian stresses that viruses, such as calici, are not born in the shelter but are brought in and must be managed once they are introduced.  Measures have been taken to prevent further spread of the disease, and we have stopped cat adoptions and surrenders for the next two to three weeks to ensure that no additional infection is introduced to the shelter.

Calicivirus is not contagious or contractible by humans or dogs. However, among cats, this virus is highly contagious and can cause pneumonia, severe painful oral ulceration and in some cases painful arthritis.  Recovered cats are persistently infected for long periods and will continue to shed virus.

Typical symptoms of an upper respiratory infection involve the nose and throat, causing symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis (inflammation of the membranes lining the eyelids), and discharges from the nose or eyes. The discharges may be clear or may become purulent (containing pus).

Please contact your veterinarian if your cats are displaying possible signs of calicivirus.

Please check the Animal Shelter website for further announcements regarding this quarantine period.