In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of people adopting rescue cats, and along with this, we have been receiving more consultations regarding viral diseases in cats.
In our virus disease series, we will present information on viral diseases that cat owners should be aware of, as well as their treatments and coping methods.
Our first topic is feline panleukopenia.
【Feline Panleukopenia】
Also known as: Feline Parvovirus Infection, Feline Viral Enteritis, Feline Distemper
Caused by the Feline Parvovirus (FPV), this infection has a very high mortality rate, with reports suggesting that the mortality rate in young kittens is as high as 75-90%.
Especially in unvaccinated cats without immunity, the infection rate is said to be nearly 100%.
＜Symptoms＞
Gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting
Fever
Loss of appetite
Drooling
In kittens younger than 5 months, it is not uncommon for death to occur within 12 hours of onset.
When a pregnant cat is infected, the virus can pass through the placenta to the fetus, causing miscarriage or stillbirth. Cats that are infected around the time of birth may develop brain abnormalities.
＜Transmission Routes＞
The virus is transmitted through the vomit and feces of infected cats. In the early stages of infection, it can also be present in saliva, urine, and nasal discharge, so if there are other cats in the household, there is a high possibility of transmission through shared items such as grooming tools, dishes, and litter boxes.
Parvovirus is extremely infectious and can remain viable in the environment for about a month, making it easy for the virus to spread to other cats from contaminated objects.
Additionally, it can be transmitted by fleas, so flea control is also crucial.
＜Diagnosis＞
Diagnosis is made by detecting viral antigens in feces or by PCR testing using feces or whole blood. Additionally, as the name “panleukopenia” suggests, blood tests reveal a significant decrease in white blood cells, particularly neutrophils.
＜Treatment＞
There is no specific treatment for parvovirus, and supportive care is used to alleviate current symptoms, with the aim of helping the cat’s body overcome the virus through its own strength and immune response.
Supportive care primarily involves fluid therapy to correct dehydration. The fluids also contain vitamins and minerals, providing some nutritional support.
If the diarrhea or vomiting is severe, appetite stimulants may be administered, or a feeding tube may be inserted for nutritional supplementation.
Antibiotics may also be given to prevent infections and sepsis caused by intestinal bacteria due to the reduced white blood cell count.
＜Cautions＞
As mentioned before, parvovirus is extremely infectious and cannot be killed by soap or alcohol. Therefore, dispose of any blankets or toys contaminated with vomit or diarrhea.
For non-disposable items (such as floors, walls, or carriers), dilute sodium hypochlorite (bleach) by 10 to 50 times, spray, and wipe them down.
For infected cat dishes, soak them in sodium hypochlorite or use disposable dishes that can be thrown away after each use.
When caring for an infected cat, the virus can adhere to the owner’s hands and clothes and spread to other cats. It is recommended to wear disposable clothing or protective gear and gloves.
If you suspect your cat has symptoms of parvovirus, please contact your veterinary clinic by phone before visiting to prevent the spread of infection within the clinic.
＜Prevention＞
The feline panleukopenia virus is included in the trivalent cat vaccine, making it a preventable infectious disease through vaccination.
Typically, maternal antibodies received from the mother weaken to a level where active immune response becomes possible by 8 to 12 weeks of age. However, kittens with low maternal antibodies may become susceptible to infections earlier than this period.
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) recommends core vaccinations for kittens (parvo, herpes, calici) to begin at 6 to 8 weeks of age, with subsequent vaccinations every 2 to 4 weeks until 16 weeks of age or later. Thus, kittens receiving their first vaccine at 6 weeks of age require four doses, while those starting at 8-9 weeks require three doses.
Regarding core vaccines, a booster at 26 weeks is recommended, followed by an interval of at least three years before the next core vaccine. However, the duration of antibody levels can vary depending on the type of vaccine and individual characteristics.
Therefore, it is advisable to measure antibody titers yearly, and if sufficient levels are present, vaccination for that year can be skipped; if levels are low, a booster should be administered.
For rescue cats with unknown medical histories, it is recommended to administer the first vaccine, follow with a second dose after 2 to 3 weeks, and confirm antibody titers for subsequent vaccinations.
These cats will test negative in immunoserological tests, making it difficult to determine if they possess immunity to the virus, which affects vaccination scheduling.
Even for non-responders, there may be some level of natural or cell-mediated immunity that provides partial protection against infections.
However, since there’s a possibility they have low or no infection defense, it is crucial to carefully consider their daily living environment.
