Feline Panleukopenia Virus

By Dr Asima Yasin

What is Feline Panleukopenia Virus?

Panleukopenia (sometimes called feline distemper) is a highly contagious, often fatal, severe infection that causes immune system, gastrointestinal, and nervous system disease. Kittens are most severely affected. Panleukopenia means that this disease is caused by a virus (feline parvovirus) and there is a decrease in the number of white blood cells. The virus causing FPV is very similar to the virus that causes parvovirus in dogs.

Transmission

Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) can survive at room temperature for up to 1 year and it is persistent in the environment. Its infection rates are always high in unvaccinated cat but disease is also seen in vaccinated cats. It is transmitted by direct contact between cats and through contact with fomites, such as grooming items shared food and water bowls etc. Infected pregnant queens(cats) can also pass Feline Panleukopenia Virus to their kittens. Humans can transmit FPV to cats through contact with hands, clothing, or shoes.

Clinical Signs

Diarrhea

Hemorrhagic diarrhea (3-15% of cases)

Vomiting (1-2 days after onset of fever)

Fever (104f-107f)

Anorexia

Disinterest in food/water

Depression

Low white blood cell count

Seizures

Hypersalivation in some cases

Nausea

Abdominal pain

Per acute cases die suddenly with little or no warning,

Duration of this self-limiting illness is estimated 5-7 days. Mortality is highest in kittens.

Risk Factors

Boards often or comes from a shelter environment.

Lives in a multiple cat household

Virtually all susceptible cats are exposed and infected within the first year of life24

Indoor/outdoor cats are both at risk

Treatment

Viral diseases have no treatment.

For preventive measures owners have to vaccinate the cats at 60 days FPV killed virus.

Ringer-lactate is given intravenous with antibiotic, NSAID, antiemetic, antidiarrheal.