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Feline Distemper

Feline Distemper is a highly contagious disease affecting all members of Felidae and is caused by the single-stranded DNA-containing feline parvovirus (FPV) (Michigan.gov, 2015; Kruse et al, 2010). It is also known as: feline panleukopenia, cat plague, cat fever, feline agranulocytosis, and feline infectious enteritis. Feline parvoviruses are a subgroup of the genus Parvovirus within the family Parvoviridae (Broersma, 2013). The parvoviruses that affect carnivores are all grouped informally within the feline parvovirus subgroup. Of these, feline panleukopeniavirus (FPV), mink enteritis virus (MEV) and canine parvovirus (CPV) are the three main subgroups which other subgroups are put in relationship to (Broersma, 2013). 

Image available from: 

http://www.sciencepicture.co/images/3673/Feline-Panleukopenia-Virus.html

Cats are infected oronasally by exposure to infected animals, their feces, secretions, or contaminated fomites (Merck Manual, 2013). Virus particles are abundant in all secretions and excretions during the acute phase of illness and can be shed in the feces of survivors for as long as 6 wk after recovery (Merck Manual, 2013). In newborn kittens, high mortality (>90%) with peracute deaths and neurological disorders like ataxia and blindness are the main clinical signs. Older kittens develop panleukopenia, neutropenia and diarrhoea due to infection of bone marrow, lymphatic tissue and intestinal epithelial cells (Jakel et al, 2012).  

Feline Distemper infects and destroys actively dividing cells in bone marrow, lymphoid tissues, intestinal epithelium, and—in very young animals—cerebellum and retina (Merck Manual, 2013). Typical initial signs include fever, lethargy, and anorexia.3 Affected cats initially may present for vomiting and, with lower frequency, develop watery to hemorrhagic diarrhea. Patients die from complications associated with secondary bacterial infection, sepsis, dehydration, and disseminated intravasal coagulopathy (Kruse et al, 2010). Mortality is 25–90% in acute panleukopenia and up to 100% in peracute infections(Kruse et al, 2010).

 

For information on the prevention and treatment of Feline Distemper click here. 

Image available from: 

http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/feline-panleukopenia/322

Refences: 

  1. Michigan.gov: Michigan Department of Natural Resources:c2015 [cited 2015 November 2] Available from: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/1,1607,7-153-10370_12150_12220-26505--,00.html 

  2. Kruse BD, Unterer S, Horlacher K, Sauter-Louis C. Prognostic Factors in Cats with Feline Panleukopenia. J Vet Intern Med 2010;24:1271–1276.

  3. Broersma ML. Does vaccination against Feline Parvovirus protect hospitalized raccoon kits from clinical outbreaks of parvoviral disease?. Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet. 2013; 74: 1-34. 

  4. Merckvetmanuals.com. Merck Manuals. c2013 [cited October 19, 2015] Available from: http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/generalized_conditions/feline_panleukopenia/overview_of_feline_panleukopenia.html 

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