Deadly Virus Causes Panleukopenia In Cats

MASSAPEDIA NEWS - Feline Panleukopenia otherwise known as feline infectious enteritis is a disease that is very deadly to cats. The disease is caused by feline parvovirus infection that causes inflammation of the digestive tract (gastrointestinal). Feline parvovirus including viral DNA, into the family Parvoviridae, the virus infects through the mouth or nose then headed limfoglandula in the tonsils and throat after the virus destroys the cells that actively division in the cells of the bone marrow, lymphoid tissue, intestinal epithelium and retina.

Virus will reduce the production of white blood cells exist in the bone marrow so that the total number of white blood cells is reduced, which is why the disease is called panleukopenia. In the digestive tract (intestinal / small intestine) virus causing ulcers that trigger diarrhea, excessive diarrhea will cause a fluid rich in electrolytes will be wasted and lead to dehydration, due to reduced immune secondary bacterial infection will appear.

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In the mother cat is pregnant, the virus will be transmitted intraplacental and will infect the embryo or fetus is growing rapidly so as to cause the death of the embryo, mummification, abortion or still birth (birth but dead). Infection at birth will cause damage to the brain that trigger the central nervous system disorder that resulted in an inkordinasi and lead to death.

The virus is commonly found in products such as the secretion and excretion of cat feces, urine, vomit fluids, saliva (saliva) in the acute phase of the disease and can survive on cat faeces for 6 weeks after the healing period.

Clinical symptoms of viral infection

Most infections of panleukopenia virus lasts acutely. Cats infected mostly young age (under 1 year). The clinical symptoms seen include fever, decreased appetite, lethargy, vomiting will appear 1-2 days after their fever. Diarrhea is a symptom that appeared last, vomiting and diarrhea occur regularly, diarrhea can be accompanied by blood.

Severe dehydration will continue to take place during the period of infection even though the cats drinking liquids in large quantities. Physical examination showed depression, dehydration and sometimes their abdominal pain. In children infected cat panleukopenia will die within 24 hours after the onset of clinical symptoms.

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Diagnosis of Feline Parvo Virus Infection

Cats that indicate the presence of virus infection can be diagnosed with blood tests menggunakaan. In blood tests, will appear the decrease in the number of leukocytes. Another examination using a special test kit is used to determine the virus antigen, positive results will show on the test kit with the two lines on inspection tools.

Prevention

Prevention can be done is by vaccination. Vaccinations can not be performed in cats that are pregnant, immunosuppressed, illness or age of the cat is still below 4 weeks. Cats vaccinated at 8-10 weeks of age and then repeated at the age of 12-14 weeks, and then repeated annually.

Treatment

When cats suffer from clinical symptoms has been shown above it's good to immediately contact a veterinarian to get treatment quickly, and if the cat has been diagnosed with panleukopenia, owners are encouraged to disinfect the animal enclosures by using a solution of TH4 or by using a solution of Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCl), in the cat population should be given extra vitamins and nutrients in order to stay awake stamina.