Post by Admin on Dec 20, 2020 22:55:24 GMT 5.5
The Panleukopenia virus is a species of the parvovirus group and is a highly contagious viral disease in cats. Kittens, who do not have fully-formed immunity, are the most susceptible to this virus. This virus infects and kills cells that are rapidly growing and dividing, such as those in the bone marrow, intestines and the developing fetus.
Who is susceptible to FPV?
FPV is everywhere in the environment and almost all cats and kittens have been exposed to this virus at some point in their lives. While cats of any age can be infected, kittens that are young, sick or unvaccinated are at the highest risk of being affected. Kittens between the age of 3-5 months are most susceptible, with death from FPV also happening more frequently at this age.
How does this infection spread?
The virus is shed in the faeces, urine and nasal secretions of cats and can spread to other cats who come in contact with these secretions. It can also spread from fleas that were hosted by an infected cat. However, this is a fairly stubborn virus which can survive up to a year in the environment. This means that a cat can contract the virus without ever coming in contact with the infected cat.
How can I disinfect my home after FPV?
This virus is particularly difficult to destroy and is resistant to a lot of disinfectants.
-Get rid of all things you can: Litter trays and scooper, any bedding that can be thrown away, cleaning bedding is very difficult and in most cases won't help much, soft toys that the kitten may have used, chewed on etc, food bowl. Keep in mind that the shedding of the virus may have happened a few days before she even showed symptoms.
-Thorough cleaning: Clean all the room floors wherever she might have walked on. Use domex bathroom cleaner(not toilet cleaner) mixed with some water, spray every inch, even sidewalls of need be, and leave that for 10 mins. Wipe this water away. Spray hot water next and clean in a similar way. Mop
After all the cleaning, if you want, you can book disinfectant spray from urbanclap that they are doing for coronavirus.
- Let the room breathe, open windows and let the room soak in sun for a day.
What are the common symptoms of FPV?
The symptoms for FPV can be common to several other feline diseases but the first visible signs you should watch out for:
• Loss of appetite
• High fever
• Depression (lesser activity and playtime than usual)
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Severe Diarrhea, with or without blood
• Nasal Discharge
• Dehydration
• Hunger and thirst with an inability to eat or drink (kittens will sit in front of their water bowls for
extended periods of time, but do not drink)
• Froth or wetness around the lips
If your kitten is showing these or any other unusual signs, take them to the Vet immediately. In FPV cases, the earlier the treatment, the higher the chances of survival. If not treated in the early stages, the virus can also damage the brain and eyes.
A vet will conduct a PCR panel (polymerase chain reaction) which typically looks for:
• FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus)
• FIV (Feline Infectious Peritonitis)
• FIP (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus)
• Mycoplasma (bacteria that infects red blood cells)
The Vet can also conduct an immediate snap test for FPV (much like a home pregnancy test) but this can
lead to false negatives, and it’s better to supplement with a PCR panel.
Treatment
The likelihood for survival is very low for kittens below the age of 8 weeks whereas older cats have a greater chance of recovery if timely treatment is provided.
There are no medicines for killing the virus and the vets/clinics are likely to follow a typical Anti-Viral therapy as they would for other viral infections. Treatment will focus on:
• Correcting dehydration
• Providing nutrition
• Antibiotics (these do not kill the virus but are administered to combat the kitten’s low immunity and high susceptibility to bacterial infections. Bacteria from the damaged gut may leak into the blood stream)
• In rare and severe cases, a blood transfusion might be called for. This is generally used only in emergency cases; there is a danger of blood transfusions being rejected and leading to sudden death
Seeing your kitten suffer can be extremely distressing and the treatment can sound confusing and overwhelming. Provided below are some of the most common medicines administered in the treatment and should help you navigate the jargon if such a situation occurs.
Don’t hesitate to cross-examine every drug with the treating doctor; this will give you confidence on the progress and help you be involved in the process of treatment as well.
Doctors and clinics will differ in their treatment approaches. This list is not meant to be exhaustive or prescriptive.
1. Doxycycline - Is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that destroys a wide range of bacterial and parasitic infections. Your kitten is going to need an antibiotic as it is very susceptible to bacterial infections when infected with FPV.
2. Ranitidine - Is an antacid, which the kitten will need since they are receiving several medications and will experience gastrointestinal distress
3. B Complex - This is commonly administered in FPV cases to prevent thiamine deficiency
4. IV drips - To prevent dehydration
5. Ondansetron - Will be administered to prevent nausea and vomiting that could be caused by all the medications
6. Metronidazole - Is also an antibiotic and anti-protozoal
7. Prednisolone - Is a steroid medication used to treat some types of allergies, inflammatory conditions, autoimmune disorders and cancers.
8. Enrofloxacin - Is an antibiotic used for animals
9. Ceftriaxone + Sulbactum injection - Ceftriaxone is an antibiotic which prevents the formation of the protective covering of bacteria. Sulbactum enhances the activity of Ceftriaxone against bacteria.
10. Filgrastim Injection - Is a medication to treat low Neutrophil count. It may also be used to increase white blood cells.
11. Oralade GI Support - Is a rehydration drink since Dehydration occurs in this infection due to diarrhea and vomiting.
12. Botropase - Due to constant injections and IVs, vets may administer this to control bleeding and speed up the blood clotting process.
13. G/I food - FPV affects the gastrointestinal tract and its complications lead to malnutrition and anemia. During treatment, as well as for a week in recovery, it is important that the kitten receive meals that are vet- prescribed and specially intended for digestive care.
Some of the popular brands that you might find recommended to you are Hill’s Gastrointestinal wet food and Calibra Gastrointestinal wet and dry foods.
After Care
Kittens in recovery will still need to be isolated from other cats (if you have other pets) as they will continue to shed the virus for about 20 days to a month. They will typically be prescribed certain supplements in the form of syrups or pastes to keep building nutrition and immunity.
It is recommended that a CBC (complete blood count) report be periodically conducted, especially if the kitten is slow to recover or is showing new or unusual symptoms, to see if any specific treatment is required e.g. electrolyte imbalance, low RBC count etc.
Complications
1. Secondary Infections
FPV depletes the white blood cell count which leaves kittens susceptible to secondary infections. Therefore, keep an eye out for any signs of infections – fur loss, bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea etc. as these can be easily treated.
2. Cerebellar Hypoplasia
A reportedly rare complication of FPV is cerebellar hypoplasia or infection and damage to the central nervous system/brain. This causes head tremors and loss of balance in cats, particularly the hind legs. Before arriving at this prognosis, rule motor imbalances out due to inner ear infections (ear mites), electrolyte imbalances and feline diabetes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are Feline parvovirus and canine parvovirus the same? Though the names are similar, they are not the same virus.
Can I contract FPV from my kitten?
FPV is not a zoonotic diseases i.e. animal-to-human transmission of the virus does not occur.
Can FPV be prevented?
Timely vaccination for your kittens can prevent an infection. There is no cure for FPV and the best course of action in case of an infection is aggressive antiviral therapy. Cats that survive FPV develop immunity for life.
How long can FPV survive in the environment?
Though an affected kitten will stop shedding the virus after a month, the virus can survive on surfaces for up to a year. It can be inactivated using a disinfectant this will be a laborious process and not 100% effective. All the clothes, dishes and bedding should be thrown out. Whatever can be washed at high temperatures should be washed e.g. your own clothes.
Who is susceptible to FPV?
FPV is everywhere in the environment and almost all cats and kittens have been exposed to this virus at some point in their lives. While cats of any age can be infected, kittens that are young, sick or unvaccinated are at the highest risk of being affected. Kittens between the age of 3-5 months are most susceptible, with death from FPV also happening more frequently at this age.
How does this infection spread?
The virus is shed in the faeces, urine and nasal secretions of cats and can spread to other cats who come in contact with these secretions. It can also spread from fleas that were hosted by an infected cat. However, this is a fairly stubborn virus which can survive up to a year in the environment. This means that a cat can contract the virus without ever coming in contact with the infected cat.
How can I disinfect my home after FPV?
This virus is particularly difficult to destroy and is resistant to a lot of disinfectants.
-Get rid of all things you can: Litter trays and scooper, any bedding that can be thrown away, cleaning bedding is very difficult and in most cases won't help much, soft toys that the kitten may have used, chewed on etc, food bowl. Keep in mind that the shedding of the virus may have happened a few days before she even showed symptoms.
-Thorough cleaning: Clean all the room floors wherever she might have walked on. Use domex bathroom cleaner(not toilet cleaner) mixed with some water, spray every inch, even sidewalls of need be, and leave that for 10 mins. Wipe this water away. Spray hot water next and clean in a similar way. Mop
After all the cleaning, if you want, you can book disinfectant spray from urbanclap that they are doing for coronavirus.
- Let the room breathe, open windows and let the room soak in sun for a day.
What are the common symptoms of FPV?
The symptoms for FPV can be common to several other feline diseases but the first visible signs you should watch out for:
• Loss of appetite
• High fever
• Depression (lesser activity and playtime than usual)
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Severe Diarrhea, with or without blood
• Nasal Discharge
• Dehydration
• Hunger and thirst with an inability to eat or drink (kittens will sit in front of their water bowls for
extended periods of time, but do not drink)
• Froth or wetness around the lips
If your kitten is showing these or any other unusual signs, take them to the Vet immediately. In FPV cases, the earlier the treatment, the higher the chances of survival. If not treated in the early stages, the virus can also damage the brain and eyes.
A vet will conduct a PCR panel (polymerase chain reaction) which typically looks for:
• FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus)
• FIV (Feline Infectious Peritonitis)
• FIP (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus)
• Mycoplasma (bacteria that infects red blood cells)
The Vet can also conduct an immediate snap test for FPV (much like a home pregnancy test) but this can
lead to false negatives, and it’s better to supplement with a PCR panel.
Treatment
The likelihood for survival is very low for kittens below the age of 8 weeks whereas older cats have a greater chance of recovery if timely treatment is provided.
There are no medicines for killing the virus and the vets/clinics are likely to follow a typical Anti-Viral therapy as they would for other viral infections. Treatment will focus on:
• Correcting dehydration
• Providing nutrition
• Antibiotics (these do not kill the virus but are administered to combat the kitten’s low immunity and high susceptibility to bacterial infections. Bacteria from the damaged gut may leak into the blood stream)
• In rare and severe cases, a blood transfusion might be called for. This is generally used only in emergency cases; there is a danger of blood transfusions being rejected and leading to sudden death
Seeing your kitten suffer can be extremely distressing and the treatment can sound confusing and overwhelming. Provided below are some of the most common medicines administered in the treatment and should help you navigate the jargon if such a situation occurs.
Don’t hesitate to cross-examine every drug with the treating doctor; this will give you confidence on the progress and help you be involved in the process of treatment as well.
Doctors and clinics will differ in their treatment approaches. This list is not meant to be exhaustive or prescriptive.
1. Doxycycline - Is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that destroys a wide range of bacterial and parasitic infections. Your kitten is going to need an antibiotic as it is very susceptible to bacterial infections when infected with FPV.
2. Ranitidine - Is an antacid, which the kitten will need since they are receiving several medications and will experience gastrointestinal distress
3. B Complex - This is commonly administered in FPV cases to prevent thiamine deficiency
4. IV drips - To prevent dehydration
5. Ondansetron - Will be administered to prevent nausea and vomiting that could be caused by all the medications
6. Metronidazole - Is also an antibiotic and anti-protozoal
7. Prednisolone - Is a steroid medication used to treat some types of allergies, inflammatory conditions, autoimmune disorders and cancers.
8. Enrofloxacin - Is an antibiotic used for animals
9. Ceftriaxone + Sulbactum injection - Ceftriaxone is an antibiotic which prevents the formation of the protective covering of bacteria. Sulbactum enhances the activity of Ceftriaxone against bacteria.
10. Filgrastim Injection - Is a medication to treat low Neutrophil count. It may also be used to increase white blood cells.
11. Oralade GI Support - Is a rehydration drink since Dehydration occurs in this infection due to diarrhea and vomiting.
12. Botropase - Due to constant injections and IVs, vets may administer this to control bleeding and speed up the blood clotting process.
13. G/I food - FPV affects the gastrointestinal tract and its complications lead to malnutrition and anemia. During treatment, as well as for a week in recovery, it is important that the kitten receive meals that are vet- prescribed and specially intended for digestive care.
Some of the popular brands that you might find recommended to you are Hill’s Gastrointestinal wet food and Calibra Gastrointestinal wet and dry foods.
After Care
Kittens in recovery will still need to be isolated from other cats (if you have other pets) as they will continue to shed the virus for about 20 days to a month. They will typically be prescribed certain supplements in the form of syrups or pastes to keep building nutrition and immunity.
It is recommended that a CBC (complete blood count) report be periodically conducted, especially if the kitten is slow to recover or is showing new or unusual symptoms, to see if any specific treatment is required e.g. electrolyte imbalance, low RBC count etc.
Complications
1. Secondary Infections
FPV depletes the white blood cell count which leaves kittens susceptible to secondary infections. Therefore, keep an eye out for any signs of infections – fur loss, bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea etc. as these can be easily treated.
2. Cerebellar Hypoplasia
A reportedly rare complication of FPV is cerebellar hypoplasia or infection and damage to the central nervous system/brain. This causes head tremors and loss of balance in cats, particularly the hind legs. Before arriving at this prognosis, rule motor imbalances out due to inner ear infections (ear mites), electrolyte imbalances and feline diabetes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are Feline parvovirus and canine parvovirus the same? Though the names are similar, they are not the same virus.
Can I contract FPV from my kitten?
FPV is not a zoonotic diseases i.e. animal-to-human transmission of the virus does not occur.
Can FPV be prevented?
Timely vaccination for your kittens can prevent an infection. There is no cure for FPV and the best course of action in case of an infection is aggressive antiviral therapy. Cats that survive FPV develop immunity for life.
How long can FPV survive in the environment?
Though an affected kitten will stop shedding the virus after a month, the virus can survive on surfaces for up to a year. It can be inactivated using a disinfectant this will be a laborious process and not 100% effective. All the clothes, dishes and bedding should be thrown out. Whatever can be washed at high temperatures should be washed e.g. your own clothes.