Feline panleukopenia is a fast-acting viral infection that affects rapidly dividing cells. The areas that show the most change include the lining of the intestines and the bone marrow which produces the body’s white blood cells. Feline panleukopenia is similar to the parvovirus in dogs and is usually most severe in unvaccinated kittens or previously unexposed cats. The virus is a very contagious organism that is shed in the affected cat’s fecal material in large amounts into the environment; it may live for months to years and is resistant to many kinds of cleaners.
Signs of feline panleukopenia often include vomiting, lack of appetite, painful abdomen, diarrhea, fever, depression, or even sudden death. Diagnosis is obtained often with history, clinical signs, a thorough physical exam, and a special fecal test that checks for the virus in the stool. Bloodwork can often show a low white blood cell count, anemia, and dehydration. There is no specific treatment for the actual virus itself, rather, supportive care is indicated until the kitten’s body is able to defend itself against the virus. This typically includes keeping the pet isolated indoors to prevent any further contamination. IV fluids to help restore hydration is also extremely important. Medication for vomiting as well as antibiotics for any secondary bacterial infections that may be present are commonly prescribed. In some severe cases, a plasma or blood transfusion may be indicated.
Because the virus is resistant to most commercial disinfectants, cleaning of the contaminated environment is best achieved with a 1:32 dilution of household bleach. The prognosis will depend on the pet’s age, the severity of the virus, and any other underlying health issues. With prompt diagnosis and a good response to supportive care some pets can recover, but in many cases, the prognosis may be poor despite treatment. Recovered cats are immune to the infection for the remainder of their lives. For cats that have never been infected, prevention is best achieved with routine vaccination.
Sources:
Tilley, Larry P., and Francis W.K. Smith. Blackwell’s Five-minute Veterinary Consult Canine and Feline. 5th ed. Ames, IA: Wiley-Blackwell, 2011.
Yin, Sophia A. The Small Animal Veterinary Nerdbook. 3rd ed. Davis, CA: CattleDog, 2010.
