When we decide to share our home with a cat, we must know that we are accepting a great responsibility and that our feline needs specific care and attention that will allow it to enjoy good he alth and well-being.
In this article on our site we talk about the symptoms and treatment of feline panleukopenia, one of the most common diseases in cats."My cat has panleukopenia" is a devastating phrase for any caregiver, since it is a viral disease of great importance due to its high mortality rate.
What is feline panleukopenia?
Feline infectious panleukopenia or enteritis is a highly contagious viral disease caused by feline parvovirus. The feline panleukopenia virus is from the same family as the one that causes parvovirus in dogs. It enters the body orally and begins to replicate in the lymph nodes and then enters the bloodstream.
It is a virus that shows a great affinity for infecting cells with a high capacity for division, such as those of the digestive system, bone marrow or lymphoid tissues. This also includes fetuses in gestation and explains the symptoms it causes. Its name, panleukopenia, means decreased number of white blood cellsThese are responsible for defending the body against pathogens. In addition, red blood cells are also affected. Their number decreases and the consequence is anemia.
Diarrhea and vomiting, lowered defenses and anemia give an idea of the seriousness of this disease and explain the high mortality rate It can affect cats of any age, although those under one year of age without vaccination and those that suffer from some pathology or are immunosuppressed are more prone to contagion.
How is feline panleukopenia spread?
This is a highly contagious virus that is excreted in the feces and, in general, in any body fluid of sick cats. The virus is contracted through direct contact with feces or, indirectly, by contact with the environment or with contaminated objects, such as feeders or bedding. In addition, the caregivers themselves can transmit the virus from one cat to another. It enters the body when ingested, which is easy, as cats spend hours licking their fur.
Considering how feline panleukopenia is transmitted, kittens living in communities are most at risk of contracting it. If you collaborate with a cat shelter, wash yourself well and change your clothes and shoes when you enter the different rooms and, of course, when you get home if you live with cats. Also, keep in mind these facts about the spread of the virus:
Is feline panleukopenia transmitted to humans?
Absolutely not It is an exclusively feline virus. It is not transmitted to people or other animals that may live in the home. But remember that people can carry the virus on our bodies, clothes or shoes and thus transmit it to other cats.
What is the incubation period for feline panleukopenia?
Oscillates between 2-10 days, although the average is between 5-7. This means that the cat can be infected but not show symptoms until a few days later.
Feline Panleukopenia Symptoms
The symptoms of a cat affected by feline panleukopenia can vary from one animal to another, depending on factors such as age or condition of the immune system. We can observe in our cat a mild manifestation or a serious clinical picture. We should suspect the presence of this disease if our cat shows symptoms such as the following:
- Anorexy.
- Apathy.
- Prostration.
- Fever.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea, usually bloody.
- Dehydration.
- Anemia.
- Abortion.
- Incoordination and abnormal postures, especially in affected kittens in utero.
If you observe any of the symptoms of feline panleukopenia, you must immediately go to the vet to start treatment as soon as possible. Especially in smaller kittens, panleukopenia can cause death within hours.
Feline panleukopenia diagnosis
The diagnosis of feline panleukopenia can be suspected based on symptoms and clinical history. A blood test is usually performed, which will detect alterations in white and red blood cells, depending on the stage of the disease. But the definitive diagnosis requires performing a ELISA test, which we explain below.
Feline panleukopenia test
Some tests are marketed, the same as for dogs, with which the presence of the virus can be confirmed in the veterinary clinic itself in a few minutes. They are made by taking a fresh sample of stool, best collected directly from the rectum. Positives are considered reliable, as long as the cat has not been vaccinated against panleukopenia in the previous two weeks. However, a negative does not completely rule out the disease, since the virus is only shed in feces during the early stages and intermittently. Therefore, if necessary, a blood or stool sample may be sent to a laboratory for PCR to determine the presence of viral DNA.
How to cure feline panleukopenia - Treatment
Treatment of feline panleukopenia is non-specific, as the viral infection cannot be treated. Therefore, the goal of treatment is to keep the cat alive until an immune response capable of defeating the virus is achieved, which will take, on average, 5-7 days. In addition, the veterinarian can prescribe treatment for specific symptoms. It is essential that this be started as soon as possible. It should be noted that, in most cases, hospitalization is usual.
In general, these are the therapeutic measures to treat panleukopenia in cats:
- Fluid therapy: Intravenous fluid administration is essential to counteract dehydration and restore normal electrolyte balance.
- Plasma or blood transfusion: in the most severe cases, with the aim of improving anemia and the level of white blood cells.
- Feeding: If the cat cannot regain its appetite, tube feeding will be necessary. High-calorie diets are marketed to feed cats in this situation.
- Antiemetics: drugs to control vomiting.
- Antibiotics: they can be used to fight and control secondary infections that appear by taking advantage of the weakness of the organism.
- Immunomodulators: such as feline interferon omega. Although there are no studies in cats, results in dogs with parvovirus have been positive.
- Heat: Although feline panleukopenia usually causes a fever, severely dehydrated cats can become hypothermic. Body temperature must be maintained.
Remember that the vet is the only person qualified to prescribe a treatment. Once at home, it is recommended to keep the sick cat completely isolated and follow strict hygiene measures if there are other cats in the home.
Sequelae of panleukopenia in cats
Although feline panleukopenia unfortunately kills a high percentage of affected cats, it is also true that, following veterinary treatment, can be cured without that there are no consequences Therefore, the surviving cat will continue its life with total normality. In addition, it is believed that it acquires immunity against the disease. In contrast, in some cats there may be neurological sequelae that may or may not disappear over time.
Prevention of feline panleukopenia
Given the seriousness of the disease, it is necessary to prevent our cat from contracting it. Fortunately, we have a vaccine against feline panleukopenia that is administered, in several doses, from the first weeks of age and repeated once a year. It is necessary to vaccinate even if the cat does not have access to the outside, because we can carry the virus. Check the Calendar of vaccinations for cats and let your veterinarian advise you.
Of course, if we have more cats in the home and one suffers from panleukopenia, we must keep it isolated and observe scrupulous hygiene measures, including a change of clothes and shoes, as well as hand washing. You also have to sanitize the environment as we explain in the next section. Cats that have already been in contact should be closely monitored to act at the slightest symptom. On the other hand, do not allow your cat to contact others if he is not vaccinated. Follow the guidelines indicated by the veterinarian before introducing a new kitten into the house.
Feline panleukopenia: disinfection and cleaning
The feline panleukopenia virus is very resistant in the environment, regardless of weather conditions, as it survives for up to a year. In addition, most of the disinfectants commonly used in homes do not manage to eliminate it. Only the bleach does it. That is why it is recommended to throw away all the objects that have been in contact with the sick cat and use bleach on those that we cannot get rid of. It is advisable to first use a enzymatic detergent and then apply the bleach and leave it to act for 10 minutes. The effective dilution is one part bleach to 30 parts water.
Of course, you must ensure that the rest of the animals that live in the home do not come into contact with the bleach so that they do not become intoxicated. With proper hygiene measures, no more cats need get infected.
