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CVNT2 > Infectious Diseases - Cats > Flashcards

Infectious Diseases - Cats Flashcards

1
Q

What is the definition of ‘infectious’?

A

Ability of a disease to be passed from one person/animal/plant to another

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2
Q

What is a zoonosis?

A

A disease that can be passed from animals to humans

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3
Q

Whats is a reverse zoonosis?

A

A disease than can be passed from humans to animals

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4
Q

What is a community-acquired infection?

A

A disease that is acquired in the community

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5
Q

What is a nosocomial infection?

A

A disease that is acquired in hospital

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6
Q

What is a pathogen?

A

A disease-causing organism

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7
Q

What is a commensal?

A

An organism that inhabits a specific mucosal surface in the body and is a normal finding

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8
Q

What are bacteria?

A

Single celled, prokaryotic organisms

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9
Q

How do bacteria reproduce?

A

Binary fission

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10
Q

What are the main morphologies of bacteria?

A

Coccoid
Bacillus
Spiral

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11
Q

How can a bacterial infection be diagnosed?

A 
Organism detection (microscopy and/or culture) 
Demonstration of antibody
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12
Q

What is the treatment for bacteria?

A

Antibiotics

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13
Q

What is a virus?

A

Sub-microscopic organism of diverse morphology

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14
Q

How does a virus replicate?

A

Requires a living host cell

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15
Q

How can a viral infection be diagnosed?

A

Demonstration of virus via antigen or DNA

Demonstration of antibody presence

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16
Q

What are the treatments for viruses?

A

Antivirals when available

Supportive therapies

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17
Q

What are fungi?

A

Multi-cellular eukaryotic organisms

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18
Q

How do fungi reproduce?

A

Capable of sexual and asexual reproduction

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19
Q

How can fungal infections be diagnosed?

A 
Organism identification (microscopy, fungal culture, antigen, DNA) 
Demonstration of antibody
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20
Q

How are fungal infections treated?

A

Antifungals - prolonged treatment often required

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21
Q

How do parasites reproduce?

A

Capable of sexual and asexual reproduction

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22
Q

What are parasites?

A

Eukaryotic, multi-cellular organisms

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23
Q

How are parasitic infections diagnosed?

A

Usually via identification of organism/microscopy/gross visualisation, also antigen/DNA

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24
Q

How are parasitic infections treated?

A

Anti-parasitics - specific to type of parasite

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25
Q

What are protozoa?

A

A type of eukaryotic parasite which commonly cause GI or multi-systemic disease

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26
Q

What are the 2 forms of protozoa?

A

Cyst (dormant) and trophozoite (active)

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27
Q

How are protozoal infections diagnosed?

A

Organism detection - microscopy/antigen/DNA

Demonstration of antibody

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28
Q

How are protozoal infections treated?

A

Anti-protozoals

Some respond to antibiotics

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29
Q

Through which routes can veterinary diseases often be spread?

A 
Human hygiene issues 
Fomites 
Exoparasites 
Fighting between animals 
Aerosols 
Blood product sharing 
Vomiting/diarrhoea
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30
Q

What are the 4 most common causes of feline upper respiratory tract disease (cat ‘flu’)?

A

Feline herpesvirus
Feline calicivirus
Chlamydia felis
Bordetella bronchiseptica

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31
Q

What is the structure of feline herpesvirus-1?

A

Enveloped DNA virus

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32
Q

How is feline herpesvirus-1 contracted?

A

Fomites

Close contact transmission (ocular/saliva/nasal)

Immunosuppressive drugs increase susceptibility

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33
Q

How does feline herpes develop once contracted?

A

Stressful event makes latent infection more likely to become active

Reactivation of shedding 4-12 days later, shed for 1 week

(May or may not have clinical signs)

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34
Q

What is the general structure of feline calicivirus?

A

Non-enveloped, RNA virus

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35
Q

Do cats become carriers after exposure to calicivirus?

A

Yes - post-infection FCV persists in oropharyngeal tissues for >1 month
Lifelong in some cats

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36
Q

How is feline calicivirus transmitted?

A

Close contact (saliva/nasal/ocular)
Aerosols
Fomites
Shed in urine/faeces of infected cats

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37
Q

What is the incubation period of FHV/FCV?

A

2-6 days, viral shedding starts 1 day post-infection (before clinical signs)

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38
Q

What are the clinical signs of feline herpesvirus?

A

Dendritic ulcers of the eye
Gingivostomatitis (tongue lesions)
Nasal and ocular discharge
Conjunctivitis

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39
Q

What are the clinical signs of FCV?

A

Nasal and ocular discharge
Conjunctivitis
Gingivostomatitis
Lingual ulcers

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40
Q

How is FCV/FHV-1 diagnosed?

A

Conjuctival/pharyngeal swabs
PCR testing
Virus isolation (FCV)
Culture to check for Chlamydia felis/Bordetella

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41
Q

What general nursing considerations should be taken when nursing cat ‘flu?

A

Clean face with warm, wet, soft wipes

Barrier creams to prevent scald from discharge

Ocular lubricant

Nebulisation to loosen secretions

Injectable medications when possible, no oral handling

Restrain without hand under mouth

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42
Q

What nutritional considerations should be taken when nursing a FCV/FHV cat?

A

Correct dehydration/electrolyte imbalances fist (within 48hr)

Oral preferable - small volume of palatable, warm food

Offer fresh food frequently

Gentle hand feeding if at home with owner

Consider anti-emetics or appetite stimulants

Severe cases may need tube feeding

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43
Q

What specific therapies are available for treating FCV?

A

Recombinant feline interferon - improves mouth inflammation

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44
Q

What specific therapies are available for treating FHV?

A

Famciclovir (antii-virals)

Lysine (oral) improves conjunctivitis (only benefits in home)

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45
Q

When would you suspect a secondary bacterial infection with FCV/FHV?

A

Suspect if thick, mucopurulent discharges - ideally culture and sensitivity

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46
Q

How do you treat a secondary bacterial infection to FHV/FCV?

A

Doxycycline first line choice
(Oesophageal stricture risk - amoxycillin clavulanate is an alternative)
Opioids/NSAIDs
Mucolytics

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47
Q

What patient handling/hygiene considerations should be made when nursing a cat with suspected/diagnosed FCV/FHV?

A

Isolation facilities if possible

Barrier nursing (disposable equipment) - single staff member

Hand-washing very important - also wash arms

Leave cage empty for 2 days after end of stay

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48
Q

Is there a vaccine available for FCV/FHV?

A

Yes - part of core vaccines for kittens

From 6-8 weeks old, every 3-4 weeks until at least 16 weeks old

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49
Q

What form is the vaccine for FCV/FHV?

A

Attenuated live vaccine

Inactivated form available only for use in immunosuppressed/pregnant cats

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50
Q

How can you manage prevention/outbreaks of FHV/FCV?

A

Minimise stress and overcrowding

House cats individually in catteries

Quarantine new additions to multi-cat households for 3-4 weeks/swab newcomers

Do not breed from clinically affected queens

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51
Q

What are the signs of HIGHLY VIRULENT calicivirus?

A

severe cutaneous and respiratory signs

Marked pyrexia, anorexia, lethargy and weight loss

+/- death, may be peracute

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52
Q

What is Chlamydia felis?

What form does it take?

A

Obligate intracellular bacteria

Exists in 2 forms - reticulate body (non-infectious) and elementary body (infectious)

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53
Q

How is chlamydia felis transmitted?

A

Direct contact (usually ocular discharge)
Fomites
Aerosols

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54
Q

How long is the incubation period for Chlamydia felis?

A

2-5 days

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55
Q

What is the main clinical presentation of chlamydia felis?

A

Conjunctivitis (acute and chronic/recurrent)
+/- upper respiratory signs

Sometimes corneal ulceration (rare)

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56
Q

Which cats are more susceptible to chlamydia felis?

A

Young cats (2-12 months) living in a multi-cat household

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57
Q

How is C. felis diagnosed?

A

PCR (conjunctival swabs)

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58
Q

What is the treatment for a C. felis infection?

Is there a vaccine?

A 
Oral doxycycline, 4 weeks
Vaccine available (non-core)
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59
Q

What is Bordetella bronchiseptica?

A

An aerobic, gram negative, cocco-bacilli bacteria

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60
Q

In which dogs is B. bronchiseptica found?

A

Found in some clinically healthy dogs as well as those with respiratory disease
Prevalent in high density populations (boarding kennels, shelters) - highly contagious

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61
Q

How is B. bronchiseptica transmitted?

A

Airborne
Fomites
Infected water sources

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62
Q

What is the incubation period for B. bronchiseptica?

A

2-10 days

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63
Q

What are the main clinical presentations of B. bronchiseptica?

A

URT/large airway disease - sneezing, mucopurulent nasal discharge, harsh cough

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64
Q

How is B. bronchiseptica diagnosed?

A

Bronchoalveolar lavage (lung swab) - culture and sensitivity, PCR

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65
Q

What is the treatment for B. bronchiseptica?

A

Doxycycline 1-4 weeks

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66
Q

Is there a vaccine available for B. bronchiseptica?

A

Intra-nasal vaccine available (non-core)

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67
Q

What are the 2 most common retroviruses in cats?

A

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV)

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68
Q

What are the major genes in retroviruses?

A

gag - encodes core viral proteins
pol - encodes enzymes
env - encodes envelope glycoproteins

69
Q

Is FeLV more or less pathogenic than FIV?

A

More pathogenic (more direct association with clinical disease)

70
Q

What other conditions can be caused by FeLV?

A

Bone marrow disorders
Haematopoietic neoplasia
Immunosuppression

71
Q

How is FIV transmitted?

A

“fighting” virus
Bite wounds - high concentrations in saliva
Vertically from mother (1/3 of kittens)
Infected blood products

72
Q

How is FeLV transmitted?

A

Allogrooming and fomites (prolonged oronasal salivary exposure)
Vertically from mother
Infected blood products

73
Q

Which cats are more likely to contract FIV?

A

Fighting cats with outdoor access, older and male, ferals

74
Q

Which cats are more likely to contract FeLV?

A

Close-contact cats
Outdoor access
Entire cats
3 years (median age)

75
Q

What is involved in the acute phase of FIV?

A

Virus is contracted and replicates in local lymphoid tissue

Peak viraemia 8-12 weeks post-infection, causes transient illness (lethargy, pyrexia, inappetence, GI signs, weight loss)

76
Q

What is involved n the asymptomatic phase of FIV?

A

Disease present but may last for life without causing further clinical problems

Impaired lymphocyte response to infectious agents (virus destroys CD4+ cells)

77
Q

What happens if FIV progresses to the terminal phase?

A

Acquisition of opportunistic infections

Chronic gingivostomatitis

Neurological disease

Neoplasia

Myelosupression

79
Q

How is FIV diagnosed?

A

Common to screen sick cats for FIV - detects antibodies

80
Q

What if a kitten <6 months old tests positive for FIV?

A

Kittens may acquire maternal antibodies without FIV infection - retest at 6 months to check for antibodies again

81
Q

Why should you always confirm a positive FIV result with another test?

A

FIV has major implications for the cat - must be kept inside for the rest of its life

82
Q

Are false negative results for FIV possible? When?

A

Yes:
In early disease - takes up to 8 weeks for antibodies to become detectable
In terminal disease - antibody production may be impaired
In kittens with rapidly progressive disease - may have huge viral burden with minimal antibody response

83
Q

What should you do if you suspect a false negative test result for FIV?

A

Re-test 2 months after initial test
OR
Get a PCR test done

84
Q

Apart from symptomatically, in what situations should you test for FIV?

A

Known exposure to a FIV+ cat
Before rehoming to multi-cat household
Blood donor screening
Before vaccinating for FIV

85
Q

What are the 3 possible outcomes when a cat becomes infected with FeLV?

A

Abortive infection - immunity

Regressive infection - effective immune response after spread

Progressive infection - manifestation of disease, persistent viraemia

86
Q

What other conditions can occur as a result of FeLV associated immunosuppression?

A

Opportunistic infections (gingivostomatitis, upper respiratory infections, Mycoplasma haemofelis)

Impaired response to vaccinations

Anaemia/bone marrow disorders

Neoplasia

87
Q

Which type of anaemia typically occurs with FeLV infection?

A

Macrocytic, non-regenerative (but regenerative also possible)

88
Q

What haematological findings might there be with FeLV?

A

Non-regenerative anaemia (macrocytic)
Neutropenia
Thrombocytopenia
Severe and pre-malignant leukaemic bone marrow disorders

89
Q

What types of neoplasia are most commonly seen as a result of FeLV?

A

Lymphoma (thymic)

Leukaemia

90
Q

What ocular sign can be seen with FeLV?

A

Anisocoria (difference in pupil sizes)

91
Q

How is FeLV diagnosed?

A

ELISA blood screening for FeLV antigen (capsid protein p27)
Immunofluorescent antibody (IFA)
PCR

92
Q

What should the next steps be if a cat tests positive for FeLV?

A

Confirm result with different manufacturer/methodology (rule out false positives)

93
Q

Are false negative results possible when testing for FeLV?

A

Yes - may take up to 1 month for antigen to be detectable

Re-test in 1-2 months if suspected exposure (but negative test)

94
Q

Do maternal antibodies/vaccinations interfere with diagnosis of FeLV in kittens?

A

No - FeLV tests are for antigen, not antibodies

95
Q

What is the treatment for FIV/FeLV?

A

No medication can clear virus from the body - more about supportive management and general nursing care

96
Q

What supportive management/general nursing care should be provided to cats with FeLV/FIV?

A

Ensure well-hydrated

Adequate nutritional provision

Management of manifestation of disease (antibiotics, analgesia, anti-inflammatories)

Antiviral drugs may help

97
Q

What home-management considerations need to be taken with FIV and FeLV cats?

A

Indoor-only with regular health checks
Vaccinate against core diseases (only inactivated vaccines)

Separate positive and negative cats (ideally)

Both viruses labile outside host - consider fomites

No hunting/raw food (infection risk)

98
Q

How can FIV be prevented?

A

Vaccination (not fully protective) - only vaccinate seronegative cats

99
Q

How can FeLV be prevented?

A

Vaccination (not 100% effective) - usually outdoor cats, multi-cat environments

100
Q

What is the prognosis for FIV?

A

Sick positive cats <1 year
BUT
Healthy positive cats same life expectancy as negative cats

101
Q

What is the prognosis for FeLV?

A

Regressive infection usually results in FeLV associated disease within 3-5 years
Once sick, prognosis/quality of life is usually poor

102
Q

What is feline coronavirus (FCoV)?

A

A large, enveloped RNA virus

103
Q

What does a low virulence feline coronavirus cause?

A

Gi infection but no disease

104
Q

What does a medium virulence feline coronavirus cause?

A

GI infection +/- GI disease

105
Q

What does a high virulence feline coronavirus cause?

A

Multi-systemic, fatal disease

has ability to infect macrophages

106
Q

What is the prevalence of feline coronavirus in the cat population?

A

Up to 100% of cats in multi-cat households will be infected with FCoV at some stage (but with a low prevalence of clinical disease)

107
Q

How is FCoV transmitted?

A

Faeco-oronasal transmission

Shared litter trays, faecally contaminated fomites

108
Q

What other disease is FCoV able to mutate into?

A

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) - happens in very few cats (5%)

109
Q

Where does FCoV replicate in the body? When it is shed?

A

Intestine - frequently without signs

Shed via faeces 1 week later

110
Q

Does feline infectious peritonitis spread between cats?

A

Not usually

111
Q

What are the 2 types of FIP? Why are there 2 types?

A

“wet” (more common)
“dry” (less common)
- depends on cats immune response

112
Q

How do cats with “wet” FIP present?

A

Jaundiced, lethargy, inappetence, weight loss, pyrexia

Abdominal/pleural/pericardial effusions

113
Q

How do cats with “dry” FIP present?

A 
Development of pyo/granulomatous lesions within organs leading to organ dysfunction 
No effusions (may develop over time) 
Jaundiced, lethargy, inappetence, weight loss, pyrexia
114
Q

Where can the pyo/granulomatous lesions develop in ‘dry’ FIP?

A 
Lymph nodes 
Brain (neuro signs e.g. seizures) 
Eyes (uveitis, chorioretinitis)
Intestines (focal granulomas) 
Liver
Kidney (renomegaly)
115
Q

Is there a test which can differentiate FCoV from FIP?

A

No - they are the same virus, only differ in their ability to cause multi-systemic disease/infect macrophages

116
Q

What type of cats are more prone to FIP?

A

Young, pure-bred cats from multi-cat households, commonly <1 yr old

117
Q

What examination findings would you expect to see in a cat with FIP?

A

Weight loss, poor condition

+/- effusions/ocular changes/neurological signs/palpably enlarged lymph nodes/kidneys/liver

118
Q

What haematology changes may occur with FIP?

A

Lymphopenia

Non-regenerative anaemia

119
Q

What serum biochemistry signs may be seen with FIP infection?

A

Increased globulin and bilirubin
Decreased albumin

Increased a-1 acid glycoprotein

120
Q

What should you be looking for during ultrasound for suspected FIV?

A

Fluid - abdominal/pleural/pericardial effusion

Lymphadenomegaly

121
Q

What is the most useful test to perform with suspected FIP?

A

Effusion analysis

122
Q

What should you see on effusion analysis if a cat has FIP?

A 
Thick, yellow, proteinaceous exudate 
Increased protein (globulin) 
Moderate cellularity (often neutrophils and macrophages)
123
Q

What further tests can be done with FIP effusion fluid?

A

FCoV reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction

Immunocytochemistry (demonstrate FCoV within macrophages)

124
Q

What tests can be done if the suspected FIP is not “wet”?

A

Wait and see if effusion develops
OR
Histopathology of grossly abnormal organs
Immunohistochemistry for macrophages

125
Q

Why isn’t serology useful in diagnosis of FCoV/FIP?

A

Only demonstrates prior exposure - majority of cats are infected/carriers of FCoV

126
Q

What is the treatment for FIP?

A

No treatment - nursing management aims at improving quality of life, many euthanised on diagnosis
Prednisolone or immunomodulators may help transiently

127
Q

Is there a vaccine against FIP?

A

Yes - not currently advised as only licensed from 16 weeks and most kittens have already caught FCoV by this time

128
Q

How can you rid FCoV from the surrounding environment?

A

Dispose of all faeces correctly

Susceptible to most disinfectants, including bleach

129
Q

What steps should be taken in post-infection household management after a FIP death?

A

Inform the breeder
Wait 2 months before acquiring new cat
Reduce stress/overcrowding in multi-cat households
Ensure cleanliness

130
Q

What considerations should breeders take to prevent FCoV/FIP?

A

Queens should kitten away from other cats

Consider early weaning (6 weeks)

Avoid repeat matings that have resulted in FIP kittens

Quarantine the household and avoid breeding for 6 months if there is a FIP case

131
Q

What are the best preventative measures against FIP?

A

Do not re-home kittens too early

Temporally separate major events

Aim for single/small group cat households - avoid introducing new cats

Hygiene measures

132
Q

What is Toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii)?

A

Coccidian protozoal parasite

133
Q

What is the definitive host of toxoplasma gondii?

134
Q

What are the intermediate hosts of toxoplasma gondii?

A

Most warm-blooded vertebrates, including cats and people

135
Q

Is toxoplasmosis a zoonotic disease?

136
Q

What is the definitive host of a parasite?

A

The host in which parasitic sexual maturity and reproduction occurs

137
Q

What is the intermediate host of a parasite?

A

The host in which one (or more) stage(s) of parasitic development occurs

138
Q

What is the transport host of a parasite?

A

A host in which the parasite may survive but no parasitic development occurs (may be a vector/vehicle for transmission to other hosts)

139
Q

What are the 2 types of T. gondii oocysts?

A

Unsporulated form (non-infectious)
and
sporulated form containing sporozoites (infectious)

140
Q

What do T. gondii oocysts produce when they undergo schizogony?

A 
Asexual reproduction 
Produces merozoites (2 identical daughter cells)
141
Q

How does T. gondii reproduce sexually?

A

Merozoites transform into macro or microgametes - microgametes penetrate the macrogamete to form a zygote (oocyst)

142
Q

When are T. gondii tachyzoites produced?

A

During the rapidly dividing stage of infection (active infection)

143
Q

When are T. gondii bradyzoites produced?

A

During the slow division/tissue cyst stage (latent infection)

144
Q

What happens to bradyzoites if they are ingested by a cat?

A

They transform into merozoites within the GI tract

145
Q

How are cats typically infected by T. gondii?

A

By hunting - ingestion of bradyzoites in prey tissues

146
Q

How long are oocysts shed in the direct hosts faeces after ingestion of T. gondii bradyzoites?

A

Up to 3 weeks post-ingestion

147
Q

What is involved in the immune response to T. gondii?

A

Production of IgM during acute infection and IgG during convalescence

148
Q

What are the risk factors for T. gondii exposure?

A

Outdoor lifestyle
Faecal ingestion
Hunting
Higher age

149
Q

What are the clinical signs of T. gondii infection?

A

Lethargy, anorexia
Ocular - uveitis, chorioretinitis
Neurological - CNS signs, neuromuscular disease
Other symptoms are location-dependent (pulmonary, hepatic)
Rarely causes GI signs

150
Q

How is toxoplasmosis diagnosed?

A

Serology (IgG and IgM levels)
Cytology/histology - look for the organism in tissue/fluid
PCR

151
Q

What is the treatment for toxoplasmosis?

A

Clindamycin, 4 weeks

Give with food/follow with water (oesophageal strictures)

152
Q

What supportive management can be given for toxoplasmosis?

A

Analgesia and anti-inflammatories
Systemic prednisolone (some cases)
Nutritional/fluid support/anti-emetics

153
Q

What is the prognosis for toxoplasmosis in cats?

A

Poor - esp CNS/hepatic/pulmonary involvement

Concurrent disease/immunosuppression increases risk of poor outcome

154
Q

How effective is the treatment for toxoplasmosis?

A

Treatment suppresses replication - improves clinical signs but does not eliminate infection

155
Q

How does T. gondii pose an infection risk to humans?

A

Ingestion of raw/undercooked meat

Lambing

Sporulated oocysts - resistant in environment

Initial infection in pregnancy risks foetal complications including stillbirth

156
Q

What is haemoplasmosis?

A

A feline erythrocytic infection

157
Q

How is haemoplasmosis transmitted?

A 
Proven method not confirmed 
Possibly iatrogenic (transfusions), through arthropod vectors, or bite/fight wounds
158
Q

What factors make a cat more likely to catch haemoplasmosis?

A 
Males
Outdoor access 
Non-pedigree 
Young 
FIV/FeLV positive
159
Q

What is mycoplasma haemofelis also known as?

A

Feline infectious anaemia

160
Q

How does mycoplasma haemofelis cause anaemia?

A

It is a cell surface pathogen, causes RBCs to be targeted for destruction by the immune system

161
Q

How long is the incubation period for M. haemofelis?

A

2 days - 1 month

162
Q

How long does acute haemolytic anaemia typically last in M. haemofelis infections?

163
Q

What are the clinical signs of M. haemofelis anaemia?

A

Vary depending on severity

Weak, lethargic, inappetent, pyrexia
Pallor
tachypnoea
tachycardia, heart murmurs

+/- splenomegaly
Pica

164
Q

What haematological findings are seen with M. haemofelis anaemia?

A

Regenerative anaemia - presence of reticulocytes

+/- autoagglutination (RBCs clumped together due to antibodies on surface)

165
Q

How is haemoplasmosis diganosed?

A

PCR of blood sample

Blood smear examination not reliable

166
Q

Why is a blood smear not sufficient to diagnose haemoplasmosis?

A

Infection can be cyclical - haemoplasmas not always visible on RBCs or may ‘fall off’

Many other features cannot be reliably differentiated from haemoplasmas e.g. Howell-Jolly bodies

167
Q

What is the treatment for haemoplasmosis?

A

Doxycycline 2 weeks (for clinical remission - may not eradicate organism)
+/- blood transfusions
+/- prednisolone
Usually respond within a few days

168
Q

Can dogs get haemoplasmosis?

A

Yes - canine-specific Haemoplasma spp.

Of rare clinical significance - splenectomised or immunocompromised dogs

CVNT2 (47 decks)

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