VMD 513: Pet animal Breeding, Management, Nutrition and Health Care (1+1)

FELINE PANLEUKOPENIA

• Also known as feline distemper, this is a highly contagious viral disease that can be transmitted through contact with humans, infected cats, clothing, hair, paws, food bowls, and even cat carriers. The disease comes on suddenly with vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea.
• Prevent this disease by getting your cat vaccinated against this virus.
• Feline panleucopenia - this was the first feline disease to be shown it was caused by a virus.
• It is a highly contagious disease that can affect any kind of cat including lions, tigers and leopards as well as other animals such as mink, ferrets and raccoons. This virus can exist in the environment for months and is resistant to many disinfectants and also heat.
• Usually it is a disease of young kittens, but a cat of any age may be infected.
• Usually a cat becomes infected through direct contact with a cat that is infected or through exposure from contaminated objects or environments.
• Infected cats usually pass the virus through their feces, but can also pass it through their saliva, urine, vomit, and blood.
• A pregnant female can also pass it to her kittens. The incubation period is normally two to ten days and the first symptoms are fever, reduced appetite, vomiting, and lethargy.
• If a cat survives this stage he may get a watery diarrhea within two to three days.
• Unborn kittens may develop brain damage such as a lack of coordination that shows up at a few weeks old.
• There is no extensive treatment and infected cats must be isolated from any other cats and receive intensive nursing care.
• Some cats survive infection, but their recovery usually takes several weeks and they are susceptible to other infections because their immune defenses are compromised.
• The prevention for this disease is to vaccinate against it.