Parvoviridae - Feline panleukopenia (FPV) Flashcards
What are the common names for Feline Parvo?
Feline panleukopenia
Feline distemper
Feline infectious enteritis
Who are the hosts for FPV?
Wild and domestic felines, raccoon, mink
Highly infectious– severe in kittens
T/F Virtually all cats are exposed and infected within their first year of life.
True
How long are unvaccinated kittens that acquire maternal antibodies protected for?
3 months
75% of unvaccinated healthy cats have demonstrable antibody titers by 1 year of age.
How is the virus spread?
Urine or feces for 6 weeks after recovery
However, FPV is maintained in populations through environmental persistence.
If an owner loses a kitten to FPV, what should you recommend before bringing a new kitten home?
Do not introduce a new kitten to the household without having it vaccinated.
How are felines infected?
Oso-nasally by exposure to infected animals, feces, secretions, contaminated fomites, in-utero transmission to kittens, mechanical transmission by flies
If a pregnant cat is infected, what happens to the fetus’ at early, mid, and late gestation?
Early- Fetal death and resorption
Mid- Abort mummified fetuses
Late - CNS damage, cerebellar hypoplasia
What is the pathogenesis of FPV?
1) Entry in oropharynx
2) Initial virus replication in pharyngeal lymphoid tissue
3) Viremia to other organs and tissues via blood stream
4) Cells in the “S phase” of actively replicating are infected and killed – prevented from entering mitosis
What is the “hallmark” of FPV?
Leukopenia– destruction of all WBCs - Lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, and platelets.
The more severe, the worse the prognosis
What other cells are destroyed by FPV?
Cells present in circulation (thrombocytopenia)
Cells in lymphoid organs
How does FPV cause enteritis?
1) Virus damages replicating cells deep in the crypts of the intestinal mucosa – Crypt stem cells, panted cells
2) Epithelial cells are normally lost in the GI tract but there are no replacements since the virus killed the “stem cells”.
What are the results of the enteritis caused by FPV?
Malabsorption
Diarrhea
Shortening of intestinal villi
What parts of the CNS are damaged by FPV in neonates?
Optic nerve and retina Cerebellar hypoplasia (when fetus is infected in last 2 weeks of pregnancy or first 2 weeks of life)
What causes cerebellar hypoplasia?
Lysis of mitotic cells of the external germinal layer
How does disseminated intravascular coagulation occur as a result of FPV in kittens?
- Gram negative is a common sequelae of systemic FPV infection.
- Endotoxin (LPS) induces expression of tissue factor III on endothelial cells.
- Tissue factor III is a potent activator of coagulation, resulting in DIC, followed by hemorrhages.
What age group of kittens are most commonly infected by FPV?
3-5 months of age
What are the clinical signs of FPV?
Fever, depression, anorexia, rough coat, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, severe dehydration, hypothermia, sudden death from DIC/dehydration.
Cerebellar hypoplasia
Retinal degeneration in infected kittens
Should queens be vaccinated with a MLV when pregnant?
No! They may show infertility or abortion of dead or mummified fetuses.
How is FPV diagnosed?
History and Clinical Signs Hematology: Leukopenia, neutropenia -- <2000 cells/uL = poor prognosis Virus isolation PCR Serology
How is FPV treated?
Fluid therapy and withholding food prevent vomiting and slow down mitotic activity of cells.
Broad spectrum antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infection.
How is FPV controlled?
Strict hygiene
Quarantine of incoming cats
Disinfection with bleach for 10 minutes
What types of vaccines are available for FPV?
MLV
Inactivated vaccines
Who should the MLV not be administered to?
Pregnant cats
Immunosuppressed cats
Kittens <4 weeks old
What is the vaccination schedule for FPV?
- 1st vaccination at 6-9 weeks
- Two or Three doses every 3-4 weeks afterwards.
- The last does should not be given before 16 weeks to make sure that maternal antibodies are not interfering.
