Navies 2011

F.P.V. infects and destroys actively dividing cells in bone marrow, lymphoid tissues, intestinal epithelium, and –in very young animals- cerebellum and retina

OFTEN FATAL DISEASE NON-ENVELOPED, SINGLE STRAND DNA VIRUS

THAT HAS

AN ESTABLISHED TROPISM FOR CELLS UNDERGOING MITOSIS IN THE TISSUE OF NEONATAL BRAIN BONE MARROW LYMPHOID AND INTESTINAL LYMPHOID TISSUE

Twenty five years ago, F.P.V. was an unknown disease

The virus that causes feline leukemia was 1st identified in 1964

Feline panleukopenia (FP) has also been known as feline distemper, infectious enteritis, cat fever (not cat scratch fever), and other names

FPV is caused by a virus and is present wherever cats are congregated, especially catteries, breeding facilities, shelters and feral populations.

Young, ill, immunodeficient and unvaccinated cats are most susceptible

Older outdoor cats have usually been exposed and tend to resist infection

Incubation period is usually 4-5 days

Less than a year old are the ones who are usually affected Not sex specific Cats that live in a multi-cat household and cats

that are allowed to roam outdoors are at greater risk of contracting the disease

A serious and contagious viral disease that affects cats, raccoons, and minks

ANY CAT OF ANY AGE THAT IS UNVACCINATED,WILD, OR IN SHELTERS ARE MOST AT RISK

VIRUS INFECTS MORE CATS IN THE SUMMER TIME SEEN MORE IN COUNTRY CATS THAN CITY CATS HAS BEEN KNOWN TO REPLICATE TO A CERTAIN

POINT IN DOGS, BUT DOES NOT CAUSE INFECTION

IS NOT RELATED TO CANINE DISTEMPER!! COMMONLY SEEN IN KITTENS YOUNGER THAN 6

MONTHS

Not a zoonotic disease Transmitted by direct contact

or from a contaminated environment.

- feces, urine, saliva, licking, sneezing, or biting

The virus shed into the environment may be infectious for years.

Can spread 2-6 weeks post recovery

The virus enters a cat’s body through the mucous membranes. It then moves to the bloodstream and eventually travels throughout the cat’s system

Peracute- cases may die suddenly with little or no warning (Fading kittens)

Acute- show fever (104 – 107 degrees F), depression, anorexia. Vomiting usually develops 1-2 days after onset of fever. Diarrhea may or may not be present

Subacute – Between acute and chronic Subclinical – without clinical manifestations.

Detectable by clinicopathological (both signs of disease and its pathology) tests but not by a clinical examination

The panleukopenia virus attacks and destroys WBC.

An infected cat often lowers their head over the water bowl, thirsty but unable to drink.

Dehydration Lethargy Endotoxemia & Bactermia ( the presence of

bacteria or toxins in the blood) Cerebellar disease Retinal defects

THE SNAP PARVOVIRUS TEST DESIGNED FOR DOGS USUALLY DETECTS PANLUEKOPENIA AS WELL

USING A PCR TEST (POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION)

RAISING ANTIBODY TITER

Kittens should be vaccinated between 8 and 10 weeks of age, then again after 12 to 14 weeks.

Excellent inactive and modified live virus vaccines that provide solid, long-lasting immunity are available for prevention.

Disinfection of food bowl, bedding and utensils also the virus can live on human clothing and shoes (fomites).

If an outbreak does occur a thorough disinfection of the entire premises needs to be made after an outbreak of feline panleukopenia in a home shared by cats. The only disinfectant presently acknowledged is a dilute bleach solution, of 1:9 (one part bleach to nine parts water.)

Feline panleukopenia requires aggressive treatment if the cat is to survive, because this disease can kill cats in less than 24 hours.

Vigorous fluid therapy Supportive nursing care in an isolated unit Treatments of animals should only be

performed by a licensed veterinarian. Antibiotics to prevent or correct infection Bland diets with small portions Medications to stop the vomiting Whole blood transfusion to improve pancytopenia.

FPV ENTERS FROM THE OROPHARYNX AND REPLICATES IN REGIONAL LYMPHOID TISSUES

COMMON NEUROLOGICAL TISSUES AFFECTED ARE CEREBELLUM, CEREBRUM, RETINA AND OPPTIC NERVE

THE VIRUS NEEDS TO INFECT THE S PHASE OF THE CELL CYCLE TO INSURE VIRAL REPLICATION OCCURS

Dehydration Bowel loops are usually dilated and may

have thickened, hyperemic walls Noticeable small cerebellum Blunting and fusion of villi may be

present

CBC Fecal Examination Serum Antibodies Viral Isolation Looks for low WBC count

Rising antibody titer over a period of time Presence of viral antigens DNA in a sample suggests active ongoing

infection

VACCINATION! EVEN LIONS, TIGERS, MINKS, AND RACOONS ARE ALSO SUSCEPTIBLE

NO VACCINE-RESTRAINT RECALLS HAVE BEEN REPORTED

AVAILABLE IN MLV AND KILLED INJECTABLES OR INTRANASAL VACCINES

VACCINATE KITTENS AT 9, 12, AND 16 WEEKS OLD AND THEN AGAIN ONE YEAR LATER

LIVE VIRUS VACCINES CAN CAUSE CEREBELLUM DAMAGE

THE VIRUS LIVES IN THE ENVIRONMENT FOR MANY YEARS SO KEEP ALL PET SUPPLIES CLEAN

Of affected kittens that are two months or less of age, 95% die regardless of treatment.

Kittens that are more than two months old have a 60-70% mortality rate with treatment and nearly 100% mortality rate if not treated.

Adult cats have a 10-20% mortality rate if treated, and a 85% mortality rate if not treated.

Elderly cats have a 20-30% mortality rate if treated, and a 90% mortality rate if not treated.

Cats that survive the infection acquire a lifelong immunity.

It is also possible for kittens to receive immunity from their mother through the transfer of antibody

The most effective means of prevention is by preventing exposure to infected cats by keeping them indoors.

Yearly boosters should be given.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO0KMunxLmY

Summers, Alleice. Common Diseases of Companion Animals. 2nd ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier, 2007. Print.

Feline Panleukopenia Virus." Cat Health Guide. Web. 04 Mar. 2011. <http://www.cat-health-guide.org/felinepanleukopeniavirus.html>.

Feline Panleukopenia." The Merck Veterinary Manual. Merial Ltd. Web. 04 Mar. 2011. <http://www.merckvetmanual.com/>.

COMMON DISEASES OF COMPANION ANIMALS BY ALLEICE SUMMERS

http://www.vet.uga.edu/vpp/clerk/mcninch/index.php

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/distemper.html

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+2139&aid=222

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/57100.htm