Parvovirus (Panleukopenia; Feline Distemper)
Definition
An acute, enteric, vital infection of cats characterized by sudden onset, depression, vomiting and diarrhea, severe dehydration, and a high mortality
Etiology
Distemper caused by feline parvovirus (FPV)
• Small, single-stranded DNA virus
• Single antigenic serotype
• Considerable antigenic cross-reactivity with canine parvovirus type 2 and mink enteritis virus
• Extremely stable against environmental factors, temperature, and most disinfectants
• Requires a mitotic cell for replication
RISK FACTORS
• Anything that increases the mitotic activity of the small intestinal crypt cells intestinal parasites; pathogenic bacteria
• Secondary or co-infections viral upper respiratory infections
• Age kittens 2 6 months of age tend to be more severely affected.
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION
The feline parvovirus is found worldwide, affecting cats in much the same way as parvovirus affects their canine counterparts.
Species
1. Felidae all; domestic and exotic
2. Canidae susceptible to the closely related canine parvovirus; some exotic canids may be susceptible to FPV infection.
3. Mustilidae especially mink; may be susceptible
4. Procyonidae raccoon and coatimundi; susceptible
Clinical sign
The feline parvovirus causes severe gastroenteritis in affected cats, and can be fatal unless treated with haste. This highly contagious disease primarily affects unvaccinated cats less than a year old. Spread by oral contact with infective feces, urine, or saliva, the feline parvovirus strikes the intestines with a fury, causing fever, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dehydration. The disease can be complicated even further as bacteria within the gut proliferate as a result of the virus and release toxins into the bloodstream. The virus itself can even spread to the bone marrow and interfere with the body’s ability to mount an effective immune response to the disease. If a queen becomes infected with the parvovirus while pregnant, abortions or weak kittens could result. In many instances, these newborn kittens suffer from underdeveloped brains, causing permanent incoordination.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of a parvovirus infection in cats is based on history, clinical signs, and a marked reduction in the circulating number of white blood cells.
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
1. Panleukopenia like syndrome of FeLV infection chronic infection; chronic enteritis; chronic panleukopenia; often anemia; patient positive for FeLV antigen in the blood and/or saliva
2. Salmonellosis usually subclinical infection; severe gastroenteritis; total WBC counts usually high
3. Acute poisoning similar to acute or fulminating disease; severe depression; subnormal temperature; total WBC count not severely depressed
4. Many diseases of cats can cause mild clinical signs that are hard to differentiate from mild panleukopenia; total WBC count is always low during the acute infection, even in subclinical cases
Treatment
Treatment is supportive, involving anti vomiting drugs and intravenous fluids to correct and prevent further dehydration, and antibiotics to keep the secondary bacterial infections at bay. Recovery will depend on how rapidly this supportive treatment is instituted.
Feline parvovirus can be prevented through vaccination. Queens should be current on vaccinations prior to becoming pregnant to protect unborn offspring from the virus. Finally, this virus is relatively stable in the environment, so it is a good idea to wait 3 to 4 weeks before introducing any new kittens or cats into a house where the parvovirus has been.
( source vet-zone )
An acute, enteric, vital infection of cats characterized by sudden onset, depression, vomiting and diarrhea, severe dehydration, and a high mortality
Etiology
Distemper caused by feline parvovirus (FPV)
• Small, single-stranded DNA virus
• Single antigenic serotype
• Considerable antigenic cross-reactivity with canine parvovirus type 2 and mink enteritis virus
• Extremely stable against environmental factors, temperature, and most disinfectants
• Requires a mitotic cell for replication
RISK FACTORS
• Anything that increases the mitotic activity of the small intestinal crypt cells intestinal parasites; pathogenic bacteria
• Secondary or co-infections viral upper respiratory infections
• Age kittens 2 6 months of age tend to be more severely affected.
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION
The feline parvovirus is found worldwide, affecting cats in much the same way as parvovirus affects their canine counterparts.
Species
1. Felidae all; domestic and exotic
2. Canidae susceptible to the closely related canine parvovirus; some exotic canids may be susceptible to FPV infection.
3. Mustilidae especially mink; may be susceptible
4. Procyonidae raccoon and coatimundi; susceptible
Clinical sign
The feline parvovirus causes severe gastroenteritis in affected cats, and can be fatal unless treated with haste. This highly contagious disease primarily affects unvaccinated cats less than a year old. Spread by oral contact with infective feces, urine, or saliva, the feline parvovirus strikes the intestines with a fury, causing fever, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dehydration. The disease can be complicated even further as bacteria within the gut proliferate as a result of the virus and release toxins into the bloodstream. The virus itself can even spread to the bone marrow and interfere with the body’s ability to mount an effective immune response to the disease. If a queen becomes infected with the parvovirus while pregnant, abortions or weak kittens could result. In many instances, these newborn kittens suffer from underdeveloped brains, causing permanent incoordination.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of a parvovirus infection in cats is based on history, clinical signs, and a marked reduction in the circulating number of white blood cells.
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
1. Panleukopenia like syndrome of FeLV infection chronic infection; chronic enteritis; chronic panleukopenia; often anemia; patient positive for FeLV antigen in the blood and/or saliva
2. Salmonellosis usually subclinical infection; severe gastroenteritis; total WBC counts usually high
3. Acute poisoning similar to acute or fulminating disease; severe depression; subnormal temperature; total WBC count not severely depressed
4. Many diseases of cats can cause mild clinical signs that are hard to differentiate from mild panleukopenia; total WBC count is always low during the acute infection, even in subclinical cases
Treatment
Treatment is supportive, involving anti vomiting drugs and intravenous fluids to correct and prevent further dehydration, and antibiotics to keep the secondary bacterial infections at bay. Recovery will depend on how rapidly this supportive treatment is instituted.
Feline parvovirus can be prevented through vaccination. Queens should be current on vaccinations prior to becoming pregnant to protect unborn offspring from the virus. Finally, this virus is relatively stable in the environment, so it is a good idea to wait 3 to 4 weeks before introducing any new kittens or cats into a house where the parvovirus has been.
( source vet-zone )
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