Feline Infectious Diseases Flashcards
Feline Infectious Anaemia
What is the aetiology?
Caused by Mycoplasma haemofelis, a blood-borne parasitic bacteria (Haemoplasmosis).
Feline Infectious Anaemia
What is the pathophysiology?
Mycoplasma haemofelis adheres to red blood cells damaging their surface leading to red cell destruction and /or removal of infected erythrocytes by phagocytic cells as part of the animals own immune system reaction.
If enough red cells are affected then anaemia will result.
50% of cats may be co-infected with FeLV therefore FIA infected cats should always be screened for other disease.
Feline Infectious Anaemia
What are the clinical signs?
Anaemia
Lethargy
Tachycardia
Splenomegaly
Pyrexia
Feline Infectious Anaemia
What are the diagnostic techniques?
History and clinical signs.
PCR on blood test to detect mycoplasma DNA.
Stained blood smear (possibly daily for seven days)- parasite not always evident on smears in positive cases.
Screen for other causes of anaemia such as FeLV or FIV.
Feline Upper Respiratory Disease (CAT FLU)
What is the aetiology?
Can be caused by a number of agents:
Feline Herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) - most common
Feline Calicivirus (FDV) - most common
Bordetella Bronchiseptica
Chlamydophila Felis
Feline Upper Respiratory Disease (CAT FLU)
What is the pathophysiology of FHV-1?
Replicates in the tissues of the upper respiratory tract and ocular systems -> epithelial necrosis
Irritation to the pharynx, larynx and trachea
Rare signs: reproductive and dermatological signs
Secondary bacterial infections common as result of damage
Virus enters the body via the mouth and nares
Become carriers (>80% of infected animals)
At times of stress will get virus again
Check for underlying FIV and FeLV
Feline Upper Respiratory Disease (CAT FLU)
What are the clinical signs of FHV-1?
Anorexia
Pyrexia
Depression
Sneezing
Conjunctivitis
Hypersalivation
Ocular/nasal discharge
Keratitis/corneal ulceration
Dysponea
Death
Feline Upper Respiratory Disease (CAT FLU)
What is the pathophysiology of FCV?
Similar direction for respiratory epithelium as FHV however causes much milder degree of upper respiratory tract symptoms
Characteristic lesions occur in the oral cavity leading to oral ulceration and erosive lesions
Occasionally if severe strain will cause pneumonia.
Feline Upper Respiratory Disease (CAT FLU)
What are the clinical signs of FCV?
Milder symptoms compared to FHV-1:
Mild ocular/nasal discharge
Sneezing
Inappetance
Depression
Pyrexia
Feline Upper Respiratory Disease (CAT FLU)
What are the diagnostic techniques for FHV-1 and FCV?
History
Clinical Signs
Viral transport swab of oropharyngeal region for FHV-1 and FCV
Feline Upper Respiratory Disease (CAT FLU)
What is the pathophysiology of Chlamydophila Felis?
Bacterial infection
Replicates in the mucosa of ocular and oral cavity and the upper and lower respiratory tract
Frequent cause of conjunctivitis
May occur alongside co-infection with FHV-1 and/or FCV
Feline Upper Respiratory Disease (CAT FLU)
What are the diagnostic techniques of Chlamydophila Felis?
History
Clinical Signs
Conjunctivitis swab to isolate the organism
Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV)
What is the aetiology?
Retrovirus from the oncoronavirus (cancer causing) group
Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV)
What is the pathophysiology?
Virus replicates in the lymphoid tissue and enters lymphocytes and monocytes
Transported around the body
Eventually enters the bone marrow
In some cats, persistent infection with the
virus can lead to immune suppression, neoplasia or anaemia
Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV)
What are the clinical signs?
Depends on cats immune response:
Immunosuppression
Recurrent infections
Anaemia
Tumour development eg lymphoma, leukaemias
Lethargy
Diarrhoea
