Inf. diseases II - Cats 2/2 Flashcards
Feline panleukopenia is a highly contagious disease of felines, caused by parvovirus, and is characterized by
acute gastroenteritis and leukopenia.
Causative agent of feline panleukopenia.
family, DNA type, + details?
Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV)
Family Parvoviridae
Ss nonenveloped DNA virus
Closely related to mink enteritis virus and the type 2 canine parvoviruses (CPV).
Survival of FPV.
Virus is extremely stable in environment – survives <1 year.
Disinfectants: bleach, formaldehyde.
Use fire?
Host range of feline panleukopenia / FPV.
all Felidae – domestic housecats, tigers, lions, cheetahs. Also raccoons, ferrets, mink, civet cats.
Affects cats of all ages, primarily kittens <1 year old.
Most infections are subclinical (>75%).
Diagnosed most frequently in dense feral or shelter populations (frequent new animals, low vaccination rates).
Mortality of feline panleukopenia.
Mortality is highest in young kittens <5 month old
Transmission of FPV.
Excretion: in all body secretions, primarily feces.
Can be shed <6 weeks after recovery.
Direct contact
Fomites
In utero
Route: alimentary, transplacental
Clinical signs of FPV - classic feline enteritis.
Most infections are subclinical.
Classic feline enteritis:
- Kittens and susceptible adults
- IP 2-7 days
- Acute onset
- Sudden death, “fading kitten syndrome”
- Vomiting, anorexia and/or diarrhea
- Extreme lethargy or depression, hiding
- Fever or hypothermia in severe cases
Clinical signs of FPV - in utero infection.
Most infections are subclinical.
In utero infection:
- Queens, first trimester
- Mummified fetuses
If fetuses survive:
- Ataxia and intention tremors noted once kittens start to walk (10-14 days old).
- Altered mentation and dullness
- Seizures
Forms of disease with feline parvo virus.
classic feline enteritis,
in utero infection,
CNS form
Clinical signs of FPV - CNS form.
Kittens infected in utero in second or third trimester or up to 9 days postpartum.
- Neurologic signs are non-progressive – affected kittens can still make good pets.
Mother was infected while pregnant:
- Cerebellar ataxia, hypermetria, intention tremors.
- Optic nerve hypoplasia, dark foci/folding/streaking of retina.
- Mental dullness, behavioral abnormalities.
Kittens cannot have both neurologic signs and signs of enteritis simultaneously from panleukopenia, because neurologic signs occur from In utero infection of the dam.
Post mortem signs of FPV.
Marked dehydration
Bowel loops dilated and thickened, hyperemic walls.
Petechiae/Ecchymoses on the intestinal serosal surfaces.
Perinatally infected kittens: noticeable small cerebellum.
Diagnosis of feline panleukopenia.
Diagnosis is typically based on history, signalment, clinical signs and initial laboratory findings.
CBC:
- Mild anemia
- Leukopenia – especially neutropenia.
- Thrombocytopenia
Confirmatory tests not readily available!
- Serologic titers, immunofluorescent antibody testing, PCR, virus isolation.
- Canine parvoviral fecal ELISA test kit can reliably detect FPV antigen from feces.
- False-positives within 2 weeks of vaccination.
Tx of feline leukopenia.
Tx: supportive care
Supportive care: IV fluids, broad-spectrum ABs, antiemetics.
No Tx that will change the course of the neurologic form.
Prevention of feline leukopenia.
Vaccination – modified live vaccines are preferred.
- 1st at 8 weeks of age
- 2nd and 3rd at 2 and 4 weeks after first vaccination
- 4th at one year of age
Strict isolation protocol
Disinfection
Colostral immunity <3 months of age
Immunity towards reinfection
Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a contagious disease of cats, caused by calicivirus, and is characterized by
upper respiratory signs, oral ulceration, and less commonly arthritis.
Feline calicivirus (FCV) agent DNA type, and strains?
Survival?
Agent: Feline calicivirus (FCV)
RNA virus
Multiple serotypes
Stable and resistant to many disinfectants, except bleach.
Host range and age of FCV.
Host range: domestic cats and some exotic feline species
Worldwide distribution
Affects all ages; highest susceptibility in kittens.
Adults are more likely to experience the virulent systemic form of infection.
Risk factors for FCV:
multiple-cat environments, crowding, stress, poor husbandry, co-infection with other respiratory pathogens worsens dz.
Mortality of FCV
Mortality 30%
Transmission of FCV.
Excretion: oral secretions; nasal discharge, tears, urine, feces.
Excretion up to a year after infection.
Direct contact
Route: alimentary (ingestion), respiratory
NB! Recovered cats remain lifelong carriers – virus is shed continuously!
IP of FCV.
IP: 1-3 days
Forms of FCV.
pneumotropic form
rheumatic form
virulent systemic form
Clinical signs of the pneumotropic form of FCV.
Conjunctivitis – diffuse, bilateral
Epiphora, blepharospasm
Chemosis (eye swelling) – may be dramatic: entire globe may become hidden behind swollen conjunctiva.
Oculonasal discharge (serous or purulent)
Fever, Dehydration
Vesicles or erosions on tongue, palate, nasal planum.
Clinical signs of the rheumatic form
of FCV.
Fever (often >40°C)
Joint swelling
Pain
Myalgia
Oral ulcers are possible
May eat well but is reluctant to walk.
Clinical signs of the virulent systemic form of FCV.
Fever
Facial and limb edema that may progress to necrosis.
Upper respiratory signs
Icterus with pancreatitis
Dyspnea
Epistaxis and/or hematochezia
Ulceration in mouth, face, muzzle, pinna and extremities.
Pneumonia
Pericarditis
Death (!)
Diagnosis of FCV.
Material:
- Blood
In the lab:
- Viral culture
- Viral identification – in cases of virulent systemic calicivirus infection.
Tx of FCV.
Pain control
Supportive care – IV fluids, syringe feeding.
Treat secondary bacterial infections (ABs).
Prevention of FCV.
Proper husbandry – prevent transmission.
Vaccination
- 1st at 8-10 weeks
- 2nd after 12 weeks
- 3rd at one year
- Every three years afterward.
Feline viral rhinotracheitis is a highly contagious disease of cats, caused by herpesvirus, and is characterized by
keratitis and upper respiratory signs.
Causative agent of Feline viral rhinotracheitis.
Family, survival.
Feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1)
Family Herpesviridae
Ubiquitous virus
Does not survive long outside the body.
Easily inactivated.
Host range and age of FHV-1.
felines (domestic and wild)
All ages are affected.
Young kittens undergoing primary exposure usually display ulcerative dz, and older cats undergoing viral reactivation may experience ulcerative or nonulcerative recrudescent dz.
Worldwide distribution
- Seroprevalence 97%
What is the Most common cause of ulcerative and nonulcerative keratitis in cats?
FHV-1
Risk factors for FHV-1?
stress (e.g. rehousing, concurrent dz, pregnancy/parturition/lactation),
corticosteroid administration, multi-cat households or shelters,
inadequate vaccination.
Transmission of FHV-1.
Excretion: ocular and nasal discharge
Direct contact
Aerosols
Fomites
Route: alimentary, respiratory
Approximately 80% of affected cats become latently infected for life.
Periodic reactivation occurs in about half of these.
IP of FHV-1
IP: 24-48h
Clinical signs of FHV-1.
Ocular signs:
Keratitis:
- Ulcerative – most often seen upon initial exposure but also in recurrent forms or
- Nonulcerative – most often seen in chronic primary or recurrent forms.
Ocular discharge – serous, mucoid, purulent, sanguineous, or dry and crusty.
Conjunctivitis, Blepharospasm, Corneal opacity, Corneal vascularization.
Upper respiratory signs:
Nasal congestion, Sneezing, Serous or mucopurulent nasal discharge.
Primary dz is self-limiting in most cats.
Minority experience chronic and/or recurrent dz.
Diagnosis of FHV-1 is made based on
visualization of dendritic ulcers, presence of supportive signs, and/or response to therapy.
Serologic titers are not useful because of vaccination and widespread (97%) seroprevalence.
Detection of virus (isolation) or its proteins (immunofluorescent antibody testing) or DNA (PCR) is of limited value because of the number of normal animals that may shed these.
(Cytology)
Tx of FHV-1.
Tx: supportive care, antiviral famciclovir, some ppl give lysine p.o.
Ulcerative keratitis: broad-spectrum ABs.
Reduce known stress
Reduce overcrowding in multicat situations
Prevention of FHV-1.
Vaccination lessens clinical signs but may not reduce recurrence or establishment of latency.
Minimize stress.
