Cat Disease (Panleukopenia): Everything You Need to Know
Panleukopenia is a serious and contagious disease. Luckily there are effective treatments available and vaccinating your cat against it is strongly recommended.
What is feline cat disease?
Cat disease (panleukopenia) is a viral infection. It is caused by the Feline Panleukopenia virus from the genus parvovirus. The viruses mainly infect the rapidly dividing cells in the bone marrow, lymphatic system and intestinal epithelium.
The incubation period of the feline epidemic is about 2 to 10 days. The viruses are very resistant and can easily survive several months. Therefore, especially where several cats live together, there is always a certain risk that the feline epidemic spreads.
Other common names for panleukopenia are for example cat distemper, aleukocytosis or feline plague. In addition to the Feline Panleukopenia virus, cats can also be infected by the viruses responsible for parvovirus in dogs.
Transmission of the feline epidemic
The viruses responsible for infection with feline infectious disease are mainly transmitted by ingesting the faeces of infected conspecifics and food or toys contaminated with faeces. In addition, unborn kittens can also become infected with the Feline Panleukopenia virus from their mother.
Kittens with a not yet fully developed immune system and cats that have not been vaccinated against feline infectious diseases are at risk. Various other factors, such as a worm infestation or other diseases such as FIP and Feline Leukemia can increase the risk of infection.
Cat Disease Symptoms
The symptoms caused by the infection with feline infectious disease can look very different and vary depending on which organs the viruses have mainly attacked.
Among others, the following symptoms can be an indication of feline infectious disease:
- Strong, often bloody diarrhoea
- Feed refusal
- Absence of liquid absorption
- Dehydration
- High fever
- Vomiting
In addition, feline plague destroys red and white blood cells, which leads to anaemia and a significant weakening of the immune system in affected cats. The latter increases the risk of secondary infections.
In some cases, however, the infection with feline infectious disease can be completely without symptoms and sick cats die without any prior signs of possible disease. In this case one speaks of a peracute course of the cat epidemic.
Diagnosis of the cat epidemic by the veterinary surgeon
If your cat shows the symptoms mentioned above and there is no vaccination protection, there is always the possibility of a cat disease infection. In this case you should consult a vet immediately.
The veterinarian can collect first clues based on the animal's condition and carry out a blood test. He can also examine the excrement under a microscope and carry out a quick test for feline infectious disease.
With this test the viruses in the cat's excrement can be detected very quickly. However, it is not always reliable. A reliable diagnosis therefore usually requires quite extensive laboratory tests.
Cat Disease Treatment
To treat feline infectious disease, your cat's veterinarian may administer interferons to strengthen the immune system and serum antibodies against the viruses. In addition, the therapy usually includes the administration of antibiotics to counteract additional bacterial infections.
Apart from this, the following measures for the treatment of feline infectious diseases are usually included:
- Infusions to compensate for the loss of fluid and electrolytes
- Enteral force feeding with one probe
- Medication for pain and vomiting
- Blood transfusions if the cat is suffering from anemia
Comprehensive hygiene measures are indispensable and special disinfectants must be used to eliminate the viruses responsible for the cat epidemic.
A cat suffering from feline infectious disease should be separated from other cats of the same species for a while after treatment and kept exclusively in the home. This is because the animal's faeces may still contain viruses for about six weeks.
Prognosis for cats with feline infectious disease
How good the chances of recovery are in case of an infection with feline infectious disease is influenced by various factors. Besides age and breed, the condition of the immune system as well as any secondary infections and complications that may occur play a role.
If the reduction of white blood cells (leukopenia) is already far advanced, the prognosis for quadrupeds with feline infectious disease is usually quite bad.
Nevertheless, the chances of recovery are comparatively high with early diagnosis and treatment. Without treatment, on the other hand, it is estimated that only 10 percent of all animals survive the infection with cat disease.
Preventing an infection with cat disease
The only effective way to prevent infection with feline infectious disease is to vaccinate the cat. The basic immunisation can usually be started in the eighth week of life of the quadruped.
Depending on the vaccine, a booster vaccination is required every two to three years to maintain protection against feline infectious disease.
Naturally strong defences
A functioning immune system is essential for the health of your cat. In order to support the defences of your four-legged friend, you will find two natural food supplements in our range: Shiimun Immun and I Love My Cat Immun.
Both products provide your cat with important nutrients that can make a valuable contribution to strengthening the immune system. However, they cannot prevent an infection with feline plague. However, both products are a good choice in any case to counteract an increased susceptibility to infection.
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