The Virginia Beach Animal Care and Adoption Center says a virus has caused them to have to euthanize 21 cats between August 19th and August 27th.
The outbreak of feline calicivirus occurred in two cat adoption rooms that have since been closed to the public while the cats are being monitored by veterinary staff.
The cats are receiving immune stimulants, pheromone therapy, and supportive care.
Full disclosure of the virus within the shelter will be disclosed to all potential adopters and shelter staff emphasizes that only those cats which have been examined and cleared for adoption by veterinary staff will be available for adoption at this time.
Calicivirus, known as Calici, is a highly contagious virus that causes upper respiratory and oral disease in cats.
The virus has no specific treatment, just supportive care.
The shelter currently vaccinates cats for the virus and shelter’s veterinary staff stress that viruses, such as Calici, are not born in the shelter but are brought in and must be managed once they are introduced.
