Professor Will’s Says:
- Reduce the number of cats in any area
- In rescue facilities cats should be kept singly (if not possible – not more than 2 cats per cage)
- Cats should be kept in small groups according to their antibody or virus excretion status
- Antibody or virus negative cats together
- Antibody or virus positive cats together
- Prevention of kitten infection
- Rescuers or owners of pregnant cats should follow the “early weaning and isolation” protocol outlined below
- Reducing fecal contamination of the environment
- Have adequate number of litter trays (1 tray per 1-2 cats)
- Have adequate number of scoopers (1 x each tray)
- Litter trays should be de-clumped at least daily (using its own scooper)
- Use non-tracking litter
- Remove all litter and disinfect litter trays at least once a week
- Place litter trays away from food dishes
- Wash food and water dishes in hot water (ideally in dishwasher hot cycle – 140F / 60C)
- Wash bedding in hot water (140F / 60C)
- Vacuum around litter trays regularly
- Clip fur off hindquarters of long-hair cats
- Disinfect pens between occupants using 1:32 dilution of sodium hypochlorite (household bleach) and hot water
- Allow pens to lie empty (if possible)
- Vacuum floors diligently and clean with cat friendly disinfectant and steam clean (if possible)
- In rescue shelters, please train your personnel and/or volunteers to use disposable gloves and change them regularly (every time they move from cleaning one pen to another)
- In rescue shelters, please train your volunteers to notify the employee in charge of the cat facility if any signs of disease are noted in the cats
- Please isolate sick cats to prevent spread of infection (not just FCoV)
Want to learn more about FCoV transmission. Visit: http://www.endfip.com/virus-transmission/