Content
- Feline Panleukopenia: What Is It
- Feline Panleukopenia: Symptoms
- Feline panleukopenia: diagnosis
- Feline Panleukopenia: Treatment
- Feline Panleukopenia: Prevention
- Feline Panleukopenia Virus: Feline Parvovirus
People who have decided to take a cat as a pet know perfectly well that the nature of cats is predatory and independent, something that gives these animals a special charm and authenticity.
However, when someone decides to share a house with a cat, they must know that they are accepting a great responsibility and that the cat needs specific care and attention, which will allow it to enjoy good health and well-being.
In this article by PeritoAnimal, let's talk about Feline Panleukopenia: Symptoms and Treatment of a viral disease of great importance due to the high mortality rate.
Feline Panleukopenia: What Is It
Feline panleukopenia is a highly contagious viral disease caused by feline parvovirus. Once this pathogen enters the cat's body, it affects and kills healthy cells in the process of dividing, which causes various symptoms. For example, if the intestinal microvilli are affected, the cat will experience diarrhea.
Feline parvovirus causes a shortage of white blood cells, the cells of the defense system, as it attacks the bone marrow because it is an area that is continually undergoing cell division. Unfortunately, this disease is also capable of causing a decrease in red blood cells, developing an even more serious clinical picture.
Features a high mortality rate and can affect cats of any age, although those under one year of age, those suffering from some illness or who are immunosuppressed are more prone to infection. The virus is transmitted when a healthy cat comes in contact with the feces, urine, blood, fleas, or secretions of an infected cat.
Feline Panleukopenia: Symptoms
Symptoms of Feline Panleukopenia can vary from one animal to another, depending on many factors such as age or immune system status.You may notice in your cat a mild manifestation or a clinical picture that involves a major severity. You should suspect this disease when your pet has any of the following symptoms:
- Loss of appetite;
- Lethargy;
- Depression;
- High fever;
- Vomiting;
- Diarrhea;
- Dehydration;
- Abortions in pregnant cats;
- Tremors;
- Apathy;
- Movement incoordination in newborn cats.
If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, you should go to the vet urgently to start a treatment as soon as possible.
Feline panleukopenia: diagnosis
To confirm the diagnosis of feline panleukopenia, the veterinarian will be based on the symptoms and complete clinical history of the animal, in addition to performing a blood test that, in the presence of the virus, will show changes in white blood cells and also in red blood cells, depending on the stage in which the disease is.
The definitive diagnosis is made through the ELISA test, using a stool sample extracted, preferably, directly from the rectum.
Feline Panleukopenia: Treatment
The treatment of feline panleukopenia is not specific, as Unable to treat viral infection and the objective of the treatment is to keep the animal alive until an immune response capable of overcoming the virus appears, which can take between 5 and 7 days. Based on the clinical manifestation of symptoms, the veterinarian may use the following therapeutic measures:
- fluid therapy: giving fluids orally or intravenously is essential to counteract dehydration and restore normal electrolyte balance;
- blood transfusion: it can be used when the levels of albumin (protein) in the blood are very low, as it is important to restore them to avoid the appearance of edema;
- hypercaloric diet: correctly nourishing the cat is essential when the lack of appetite is severe, in which case feeding can be used through a nasal tube;
- antiemetic drugs: these medications are used to prevent vomiting;
- antibiotic drugs: can be used to fight and control infections secondary to viral disease.
Remember that the veterinarian is the only person able to prescribe a certain treatment.
Feline Panleukopenia: Prevention
If you want to prevent feline panleukopenia in your pet, it is important to consider the following tips:
- For feline panleukopenia, vaccine it is the most effective preventive measure. Following the veterinarian's recommended vaccination schedule is extremely important;
- Any infected cat must remain isolated;
- Keep the cat's environment in optimal hygienic conditions.
Feline Panleukopenia Virus: Feline Parvovirus
As we mentioned earlier, feline panleukopenia is a highly contagious viral disease. caused by feline parvovirus. Although very serious for cats, feline parvovirus does not affect humans or other animals, it is a disease unique to cats and other family members, Felidae, Mustelidae, Viverridae and Procyonidae.
However, it is important to remember once again that if there is a feline infected with the Feline Panleukopenia virus, it must be in an extremely hygienic environment to eliminate the virus. It is recommended to keep young, sick and unvaccinated cats away from strange cats or cats that have overcome the disease a few months before.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.