Cats

Feline Panleukopenia

From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia, by MultiMedia

Back | Home | Up | Next


?
Feline panleukopenia virus
Virus classification
Group: Group I (dsDNA)
Family: Parvoviridae
Genus: Parvovirus
Species: Feline panleukopenia virus

Feline panleukopenia, more commonly known as feline distemper, is a viral infection affecting cats caused by feline parvovirus, a close relative of canine parvovirus. It is not related to canine distemper. Protection is offered by commercial feline distemper vaccine, which is usually a mixture of vaccines for several different diseases, including panleukopenia.

It is spread from one cat to another in a variety of ways: any contact with an infected cat's bodily fluids or feces can do the trick, even sharing the same water dish.

The virus primarily attacks the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, causing internal ulceration and, ultimately, total sloughing of the intestinal epithelium. This results in profuse, usually bloody diarrhea, causing severe dehydration, malnutrition, anemia, and often death.

The virus causes a decrease in the cat's white blood cells, thus compromising its immune system. Typically, infection causes a decrease in WBC, hematocrit and platelet counts on a CBC. This is often key in diagnosing panleukopenia.

Symptoms include depression, lethargy, loss of appetite, a high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of skin elasticity.

If a pregnant cat is exposed during pregnancy, the virus can cause cerebellar hypoplasia in her offspring. This is why administering modified live feline panleukopenia vaccine during pregnancy is discouraged.

External links


Home | Up | Cat Anatomy | Abdominal Muscles | Bordetella | Cerebellar Hypoplasia | Cheyletiellosis | Corneal Ulcer | Coronavirus | Diabetes | Ear Mite | Feline Panleukopenia | Feline Immunodeficiency Virus | Feline Infectious Peritonitis | Feline Leukemia Virus | Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease | Fibrosarcoma | Flea | Great Muscles of the Head | Hairball | Heart Valve Dysplasia | Heartworm | Hip Dysplasia | Hyperthyroidism | Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca | Luxating Patella | Lymphoma in Animals | Mastocytoma | Onychectomy | Parvovirus | Polyneuropathy | Protothecosis | Rabies | Raw Feeding | Spaying and Neutering | Tick | Trapezius Muscles

Cats, made by MultiMedia | Free content and software

 

This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia.