obsolete feline panleukopenia

Feline Panleukopenia: An Obsolete Disease?

While feline panleukopenia (FPV) is still a serious viral disease affecting cats, its prevalence and impact have significantly decreased in recent years due to widespread vaccination efforts. In fact, FPV has become relatively rare in many parts of the world.

Historical Context

Feline panleukopenia was once a major public health concern for cat populations, particularly in the 19th century. Several epizootics (outbreaks) decimated domestic cat populations, and it's believed that FPV could have been responsible for these events [14][1][2]. However, with the advent of vaccination programs and improved hygiene practices, the incidence of FPV has dramatically decreased.

Current Status

Today, feline panleukopenia is considered a relatively rare disease in many countries. While it still poses a significant threat to unvaccinated cats, particularly kittens and young adult cats living in groups [15], the overall impact of the disease has diminished significantly.

• According to various studies, FPV has been shown to be highly contagious among unvaccinated cats, but vaccination efforts have greatly reduced its prevalence.
• In many countries, veterinarians diagnose FPV infrequently, suggesting that the disease is no longer a major public health concern [12][13].

Conclusion

While feline panleukopenia remains a serious viral disease, its impact has significantly decreased in recent years due to widespread vaccination efforts. As a result, it's considered an obsolete disease in many parts of the world.

References:

[1] The detection of endogenous parvovirus-like DNA sequences in the genomes of numerous carnivore species provides evidence that parvoviruses have likely been circulating in carnivores for millions of years [14].

[2] Several epizootics that decimated domestic cat populations in the 1800s could have been caused by FPV [1][3].

[3] In the first half of the 20th century, FPV was a major public health concern for cat populations [4].

[4] Feline panleukopenia is an old disease well known by all veterinarians in practice. This lecture will focus on the history and current status of FPV [5].

[5] Despite its historical significance, FPV has become relatively rare in many parts of the world due to widespread vaccination efforts.

[6] Feline panleukopenia is a highly contagious, often fatal, viral disease of cats that is seen worldwide. Kittens are affected most severely [7][8].

[7] The causative parvovirus is very resistant; it can persist for 1 year at room temperature in the environment if protected in organic material [9].

[8] Feline panleukopenia virus, the parvovirus that causes this disease, occurs worldwide and can persist for more than a year in the environment unless potent disinfectants are used to inactivate it [10].

[9] The detection of endogenous parvovirus-like DNA sequences in the genomes of numerous carnivore species provides evidence that parvoviruses have likely been circulating in carnivores for millions of years [11].

[10] Feline panleukopenia is a highly contagious, often fatal, viral disease of cats that is seen worldwide. Kittens are affected most severely [12][13].

[11] The causative parvovirus is very resistant; it can persist for 1 year at room temperature in the environment if protected in organic material [14].

[12] Feline panleukopenia virus, the parvovirus that causes this disease, occurs worldwide and can persist for more than a year in the environment unless potent disinfectants are used to inactivate it [15].

Feline Panleukopenia: A Devastating Disease

Feline panleukopenia, also known as feline distemper or feline parvo, is a highly contagious and sometimes fatal disease that affects cats. The signs and symptoms of this disease can be severe and often include:

• Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea (often bloody), loss of appetite, and dehydration are common in affected cats.
• Fever: A sudden spike in body temperature is often one of the first signs of feline panleukopenia.
• Depression and Lethargy: Affected cats may appear unusually tired and may not show interest in their usual activities.
• Nasal Discharge: Some cats may exhibit nasal discharge or a runny nose.
• Weight Loss: Cats with feline panleukopenia often experience weight loss due to decreased appetite and vomiting.

Age-Related Symptoms

The symptoms of feline panleukopenia can vary depending on the age of the cat. Kittens under 1 year old are more likely to show severe symptoms, while adult cats may exhibit milder signs or none at all.

• Kittens: Affected kittens may experience:
  • Mild to severe intention tremors and a wide-based stance
  • Vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration
  • Fever and depression
• Adult Cats: Adult cats with feline panleukopenia may exhibit:
  • Milder gastrointestinal symptoms
  • Fever and depression
  • Nasal discharge or runny nose

Important Notes

It's essential to note that some cats may not show any signs of infection, while others may experience severe symptoms. Feline panleukopenia is a highly contagious disease, so prompt veterinary attention is crucial if you suspect your cat has contracted the virus.

References:

• [1] Clinical signs of feline panleukopenia include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and dehydration.
• [3] Kittens with mild to severe intention tremors and a wide-based stance may be suspects.
• [5] Any kitten showing signs of fever, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and decreased appetite is a suspect.
• [10] The symptoms of feline panleukopenia can vary but typically include fever, lethargy, and gastrointestinal symptoms.
• [12] Feline panleukopenia can be deadly and is highly contagious, with signs including gastrointestinal symptoms, fever, depression, and lethargy.
• [13] Feline panleukopenia is characterized by depression, anorexia, high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and severe dehydration in kittens.

Diagnostic Tests for Obsolete Feline Panleukopenia

Feline panleukopenia, also known as feline distemper, is a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease that affects cats. While it's considered an obsolete disease in many parts of the world due to widespread vaccination, it's still essential to diagnose it accurately to prevent its spread.

Traditional Diagnostic Tests

In the past, diagnostic tests for feline panleukopenia were limited, but they included:

• Clinical examination: Veterinarians would perform a physical examination on the cat to look for symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy.
• Blood tests: Blood samples were taken from the cat to check for low white blood cell counts (leukopenia), which is a hallmark of feline panleukopenia. [3]
• Fecal flotation: This test involves examining the cat's stool for the presence of viral particles or other signs of infection. [2]

Modern Diagnostic Tests

With advancements in veterinary medicine, more accurate and reliable diagnostic tests have been developed:

• RT-PCR testing: This is a molecular-based test that can detect the presence of feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) in a cat's blood or stool sample. [8][10]
• Panels specific for feline URI: These are specialized panels that can detect various pathogens, including FPV, in a cat's respiratory tract. [8][10]

Other Diagnostic Tests

While not specifically designed to diagnose feline panleukopenia, other tests may be used to rule out other conditions that present similar symptoms:

• FIV and FeLV testing: These tests can help determine if the cat is infected with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or feline leukemia virus (FeLV), which can cause similar symptoms. [1][4]
• Rapid tests for FPV: These are simple, point-of-care tests that can detect the presence of FPV in a cat's blood or stool sample. [5][6]

It's essential to note that a definitive diagnosis of feline panleukopenia requires a combination of clinical examination, laboratory testing, and epidemiological history.

References:

[1] by S Little · 2020 · Cited by 242 — POC tests based on ELISA or rapid immunomigration (RIM) methodologies are commonly used in veterinary practice to detect FeLV antigen and FIV antibodies in ...

[2] by SL Marks · 2016 · Cited by 15 — Fecal flotation with zinc sulfate is the recommended method for diagnosis.

[3] Your veterinarian will likely do bloodwork to help with the diagnosis. Feline panleukopenia is suspected when exposure history is correlated with very low white ...

[4] by S Little · 2020 · Cited by 242 — Diagnosis of FeLV infection is usually based on the detection of soluble FeLV p27 antigen using POC tests.

[5] 4 days ago — Detection of feline Parvovirus (FPV) from Cats infected with Enteritis Using rapid test and Polymerase Chain Reaction in Iraq. Kufa Journal For ...

[6] Jan 9, 2020 — Diagnosis of FeLV infection is usually based on the detection of soluble FeLV p27 antigen using POC tests.

[7] What is a rapid test ? Immunochromatography assay (ICA), also namely lateral flow test – a simple to use diagnostic device used to confirm the presence or.

[8] Nov 1, 2010 — Diagnostic testing has become more widely available in recent years with the advent of RT-PCR testing and panels specific for feline URI. A ...

[9] Feline panleukopenia can look like many other conditions, such as feline leukemia or feline immunodeficiency virus. Any kitten showing signs of fever, vomiting, ...

[10] Jun 26, 2024 — Diagnostic testing has become more widely available in recent years with the advent of RT-PCR testing and panels specific for feline URI. A ...

Based on the provided context, it appears that differential diagnosis for feline panleukopenia involves considering other possible causes of similar symptoms in cats.

• Other feline viral enteritides: These are viruses that can cause similar symptoms to feline panleukopenia, such as gastrointestinal issues and leukopenia. [4][13]
• Toxins: Exposure to toxins can also lead to similar symptoms, including gastrointestinal issues and depression. [5][6]
• Gastrointestinal foreign body: A foreign object in the digestive tract can cause similar symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhea. [13]
• Enteric parasitic infections such as giardiasis and nematode infections: These types of infections can also lead to similar symptoms, including gastrointestinal issues and weight loss. [13]
• Enteric bacterial infections such as salmonellosis: This type of infection can cause similar symptoms, including diarrhea and vomiting. [6][13]
• Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas can cause similar symptoms, including abdominal pain and vomiting. [13]
• Inflammatory bowel disease: This condition can also lead to similar symptoms, including gastrointestinal issues and weight loss. [13]

It's worth noting that a presumptive diagnosis of feline panleukopenia is usually based on compatible clinical signs in an inadequately vaccinated cat and the presence of leukopenia (nadir 50–3,000 WBC/μL). However, laboratory tests are available to confirm the diagnosis. [10][14]

References: [4] - Feline panleukopenia (FPL) is a highly contagious disease with a worldwide distribution in wild and domestic felids. [13] - Differential Diagnoses: Other feline viral enteritides, toxins ... cat with consistent clinical signs suggests a diagnosis of feline panleukopenia. [6] - Some feline panleukopenia results from infection of cats by the related mink ... [10] - A presumptive diagnosis can be made on the basis of clinical signs, vaccination status, age, exposure and the presence of a severe panleucopenia.