24/06/2025
With news of the potential new strain of Feline Calicivirus I would like to remind clients about some important boarding policy directions.
** All cats must be fully vaccinated with an F3 vaccination at least 14 Days before boarding begins
** If you cat appears unwell you must not bring it for boarding. If your cat has known issues that appear similar to virus symptoms, a vet letter will be required for clearance to board.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
WARNING for cat owners - ** PLS SHARE **
Virulent Systemic Feline Calicivirus (VS-FCV) in pet cats
We have been notified by Roseworthy Veterinary Hospital that there is a potentially new highly life-threatening strain of feline calicivirus called virulent systemic feline calicivirus (VS-FCV) circulating around the northern regions of the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia. VS-FCV is very contagious and has high morbidity and mortality in infected cats. Potentially exposed cats to VS-FCV includes any cats (also cats that are within the same household as any cats) that have been seen by the Port Pirie Vet Clinic or at Roseworthy since 1st June 2025. The prevalence of VS-FCV in the local feral cat population is unknown.
Suspected cases of VS-FCV include cats that are housed in high density cattery conditions and rescues with multiple cats with symptoms associated with VS-FCV.
The acute symptoms of VS-FCV include a few or more these observable clinical signs:
- Sudden death in young cats due to acute, severe respiratory illness
- Lethargy and depression
- Fever
- Flu-like symptoms
- Labour breathing
- Oral lesions
- Loss of appetite
- Swelling of face, ears, nose and limbs
- Crusting skin lesions on the face and limbs
At YP Vets, we strive to minimise any potential contamination of VS-FCV through the clinic. A separate special consult room at YP Vets has been set up for examination of any unwell cats. Triage of unwell cats are also performed at the clinic's front parking lot. Roseworthy Uni are asking clinics to refer suspected sick cats that fit the criteria to the university, reducing the risk of transmission to other SA regions and individual cats.
As well as a separate quarantined exam room, YP Vets are rostering vets and nurses who do NOT own pet cats to examine, refer and treat suspected infected cats.
The virus may persist in the environment for 4 weeks or longer and could remain infective on clothing, carpets and cloth surfaces for nearly 4 months. Mildly affected cats (and asymptomatic clinically well cats living in the same household as the affected cat) can be a major cause of transmission.
Quarantine protocols at YP Vets will exist until further advice from Roseworthy University after 1 July 2025.
For cat owners; it is imperative that your cats are kept fully up-to-date with their F3 vaccinations and ensure that their immediate environment be kept clean. YP Vets also encourage your cats to be kept indoors during this time to minimise pet cats from contracting VS-FCV.
When at home, close monitoring of your cat for any unusual clinical signs should be done on a daily basis, and if you are concerned, do not hesitate to seek veterinary advice if you feel something is wrong with your feline friend.
