Feline Distemper (or Feline Panleukopenia Virus)

What is Feline Distemper / FPV in Cats?

FPV / Feline Panleukopenia Virus, otherwise known as Feline Distemper, is a highly contagious, life-threatening infectious disease in cats. It mostly affects kittens and unvaccinated cats, and it can be fatal if not appropriately diagnosed and treated. It is closely related to canine parvovirus (often confused as it is not related to the canine distemper virus).

The feline panleukopenia virus infects and kills the rapidly growing and dividing cells in the body, including cells in the bone marrow, intestines, and skin, and in a developing fetus.

The virus suppresses the production of all white blood cells in the bone marrow. These cells are important to the immune system and are used to fight infection. Without them, the cat is vulnerable to spreading the virus.

Infected cells in the intestines eventually lead to diarrhea, decreased appetite and vomiting. Severe dehydration ensues and the safety barrier between the intestines and the rest of the body breaks down, leading to secondary bacterial infections. The virus spreads quickly and is fatal, if left untreated.

Feline distemper virus is found everywhere in the environment; it is strong and can live for years. The virus can survive in the environment it was shed into or be carried on shoes, paws, bedding, bowls, litter boxes, etc. It can survive at freezing temperatures and room temperatures, and it can also survive the use of certain disinfectants, including iodine and alcohol.

The virus enters the body through the nose or mouth; the specific cat’s immune system determines the number of viral particles that enter the body. Usually, the virus invades the bone marrow and intestines within two to seven days of the cat coming into contact with the virus.

Panleukopenia is considered one of the deadliest cat diseases in the unvaccinated cat population. Kittens, cats with depressed immune systems and pregnant cats are at the highest risk to develop severe clinical signs of this disease.

Symptoms of Feline Distemper / FPV

Symptoms of feline distemper can range from mild to severe and may include the following:

• Lethargy

• Depression

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Painful abdomen (when touched or may appear tense and distended without touching)

• Dehydration

• Weight loss

• Rough or unkempt hair coat

• Fever

• Decreased to absent appetite

• Collapse (in severe cases)

• Bruising of the skin or gums (in severe cases)

Kittens infected in the womb during the late stages of pregnancy may develop cerebellar hypoplasia once born, a condition where the virus affects the formation of a part of the brain called the cerebellum. This is the part that coordinates balance and movement.

Affected kittens will have mild to severe intention tremors and a wide-based stance. They may fall frequently or seem uncoordinated. Luckily, this is not considered a painful condition, and these special-need kittens, if kept in safe environments, can live long happy lives.

Causes of Feline Distemper / FPV

Cats become infected with this virus in utero due to their mother becoming infected while pregnant or being exposed to it in their environment. Kittens can also be infected in utero or via breast milk when feeding from their mother.

A cat carrying feline distemper virus will shed viral particles into the environment through feces, urine, saliva and vomit. Infection occurs when susceptible cats are in contact with these secretions.

Luckily, an infected cat only sheds the virus for a day or two, but since the virus is very stable in the environment, it can live for years. That is why it is common for cats to become infected due to their environment.

Diagnosing Feline Distemper / FPV

Feline panleukopenia can look like many other conditions, such as feline leukemia or feline immunodeficiency virus. Any kitten showing signs of fever, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and a decreased appetite is a feline panleukopenia suspect. A thorough medical history can be helpful with diagnosis, especially if your cat was recently adopted, has been outdoors frequently, is unvaccinated, and/or has been around other cats.

Your veterinarian will likely do bloodwork to help with the diagnosis. Feline panleukopenia is suspected when exposure history is correlated with very low white blood cells and possibly low red blood cells (anemia).

Fecal testing for feline panleukopenia virus can be performed . If the cat received a panleukopenia vaccine 5-12 days prior to testing, this form of test is often falsely positive. Virus isolation (a test to find the virus in different tissue samples), antibody levels and PCR testing are also available to help confirm suspicions of feline panleukopenia.

Treatment of Feline Distemper / FPV

There is no specific treatment for feline panleukopenia. Dehydration is treated with aggressive intravenous fluid therapy while clinical signs of vomiting and diarrhea are treated with prescription medications.

Antibiotic therapy is often instituted to help control any secondary bacterial infections due to low white blood cell counts. However, antibiotics are not used to treat and clear the actual virus. For kittens and cats who appear in shock, or with severe infections, aggressive therapy and nursing care is necessary for resuscitation, using plasma/blood transfusions and anti-coagulant therapies.

Luckily, cats who do receive and respond well to aggressive therapy during the first few days of feline panleukopenia tend to have a good prognosis for a complete recovery. Kittens infected in utero during the early to middle stages of pregnancy typically do not survive. Those infected in the later stages of pregnancy tend to develop cerebellar hypoplasia but can live happy lives with normal survival times, depending on the severity of the neurological signs.

Prognosis decreases for cats with low protein levels, low temperatures, thin body conditions, and/or severely low white blood cells on bloodwork. These extremely ill cats have a poor prognosis and, on average, will pass away within 12-24 hours.

If a cat recovers from feline panleukopenia, there is usually no permanent damage to their organs, and they develop lifelong immunity to the virus.

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Cat Health

Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats

What is chronic kidney disease in cats?

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the persistent loss of kidney function over time. Healthy kidneys perform many important functions, most notably filtering the blood and making urine, so problems with kidney function can result in a variety of health problems for a cat. Among the many different kidney diseases that may affect cats, CKD is the most common.

The kidneys are part of the renal system, the body’s system for filtering impurities out of the blood. Urine produced in the kidneys is carried to the bladder by the ureters and from the urinary bladder to the outside world by the urethra.

Clinical Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats

Cats with CKD may experience a buildup of the waste products and other compounds in the bloodstream that are normally removed or regulated by the kidneys. This accumulation may make them feel ill and appear lethargic, unkempt, and lose weight. They may also lose the ability to concentrate their urine appropriately, and as a result they may urinate greater volumes and drink more water to compensate. The loss of important proteins and vitamins in their urine may contribute to abnormal metabolism and loss of appetite. They may also experience elevated blood pressure (hypertension), which can affect the function of a number of important systems, including the eyes, brain, and heart.

Another cause of lethargy in cats with CKD is the buildup of acids in their blood. The kidneys of cats with CKD may not excrete these compounds appropriately, making affected cats prone to blood acidification, or acidosis, a condition that can significantly affect the function of a variety of organ systems in the body. CKD may also decrease a cat’s ability to produce red blood cells, which can lead to anemia, a reduced concentration of red blood cells in their blood. This may cause their gums to appear pale pink, or in severe cases, whitish in color, and may make them lethargic.

Diagnosis of Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats

To evaluate kidney function, veterinarians will most often turn to blood tests and urine analysis (urinalysis) to evaluate the concentrations of waste products and other components that healthy kidneys normally filter or regulate.

Blood tests can determine the concentration of two important waste products: blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine, but creatinine is generally recognized as a more specific indicator of kidney function. An increase in the concentration of these compounds in your cat’s blood may suggest that his kidneys are not functioning properly, although these values must be interpreted in light of a number of factors. Dehydration, for example, can cause BUN and creatinine concentrations to increase in spite of the fact that a cat’s kidneys are functioning normally. Ideally, a veterinarian will base his or her interpretation of kidney function on at least two blood samples, obtained within two weeks of one another, from a normally hydrated cat that has fasted for 12-24 hours. The concentrations of other blood components, including various electrolytes (like sodium and potassium), phosphorus, red blood cells, and proteins are also important to evaluate in a cat being examined for CKD.

In a urinalysis, your veterinarian will consider the concentration of the urine, its pH, and the presence of protein, blood cells, bacteria, and other cells that generally should not be found in feline urine, all of which provide important information regarding the health of a cat’s kidneys. It is also important to culture a urine sample to rule out the possibility of bacterial infection of the urinary tract in suspected cases of CKD. Urine samples may be obtained either by collection from a litter box filled with non-absorbent beads designed for this purpose, by catheterization of the urethra (the opening of the urinary tract to the outside world), or by cystocentesis, a technique that extracts a urine sample by passing a very fine needle through the abdominal wall into the bladder. Cystocentesis is generally considered a safe procedure and in most cases will provide the most diagnostically useful sample for analysis.

Other studies that can be useful in evaluating a cat with suspected CKD include imaging studies such as abdominal ultrasound, radiographs (X-rays), and, in some cases, microscopic evaluation of biopsy samples. Given the potential for hypertension in cats with CKD, measurement of a cat’s blood pressure is also an important part of the medical evaluation for this disease.

Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats

Although there is no definitive cure for CKD, treatment can improve and prolong the lives of cats with this disease. Therapy is geared toward minimizing the buildup of toxic waste products in the bloodstream, maintaining adequate hydration, addressing disturbances in electrolyte concentration, supporting appropriate nutrition, controlling blood pressure, and slowing the progression of kidney disease.

Dietary modification is an important and proven aspect of CKD treatment. Studies suggest that therapeutic diets that are restricted in protein, phosphorus and sodium content and high in water-soluble vitamins, fiber, and antioxidant concentrations may prolong life and improve quality of life in cats with CKD. However, many cats have difficulty accepting therapeutic diets, so owners must be patient and dedicated to sticking to the plan. It is important to make a gradual transition to a therapeutic diet and to consider food temperature, texture, and flavor. Cats with CKD that go without food for relatively short periods of time may develop significant health problems, so it is crucial to make sure that your cat is eating during a transition to a therapeutic diet.

Controlling hypertension, decreasing urinary protein loss, and addressing anemia are important therapeutic goals in cats that develop these conditions. Hypertension is usually controlled with oral medication, and urinary protein loss may be treated with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. Anemia in a cat with CKD may be treated by replacement therapy with erythropoietin (or with related compounds), which stimulates red blood cell production. Cats with CKD may produce less erythropoietin, and there is some evidence that replacement therapy can increase red blood cell counts. In some cases, blood transfusions, which may be used to restore normal red blood cell concentrations using blood obtained from a donor cat, may be necessary.

Although a number of other therapies, including phosphate binders, potassium supplementation, antioxidant supplementation, alkalinization therapy, and administration of fluids either intravenously or subcutaneously, have the potential to help cats with CKD, these approaches have not been fully validated, and controlled studies are needed to determine whether they offer any benefits. The same is true of hemodialysis (the removal of toxic waste products from the bloodstream by specially designed equipment) and kidney transplantation. These controversial, complex, and expensive treatments offer potential benefits to cats with CKD, but they have not been subjected to studies to prove their effectiveness, so they should be explored with the careful guidance of a veterinary specialist.

Prognosis of Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats

Some cats respond very well to treatment for CKD while others do not, so the prognosis for CKD in affected cats is quite variable. Some studies suggest that cats that lose more protein in their urine have less favorable prognoses. There is evidence suggesting that the earlier CKD is diagnosed and treatment is initiated, the better the outcome with respect to quality of life and survival.

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Stomach Flu with Bloody Diarrhea in Dogs

Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis is identified by blood in the vomit and/or stool, often due to a food borne illness. Because it is a serious disorder that can be potentially fatal, immediate veterinary care is required.

Symptoms

Continuous vomiting and/or diarrhea are the most common symptoms.

Other symptoms include:

• Lethargy

• Listlessness

• Anorexia

• Weight loss

• Fluid loss

• Electrolyte imbalance

• Dehydration

• Hemoconcentration

• Hypovolemic shock

Causes

Infectious gastroenteritis is caused by pathogens (infectious agents). Some of the pathogens most commonly associated with infectious gastroenteritis include:

• Bacteria (e.g., Campylobacter, Salmonella, E. coli, Clostridia)

• Virus (e.g., Parvovirus, Canine distemper)

• Fungi (e.g., Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium)

• Parasites (e.g., Roundworms, Hookworms, Tapeworms, Whipworms, Coccidia)

E. coli, Salmonella and Corynebacterium are the most significant intestinal pathogens because they can be passed from animal to human or vice versa. Salmonella infections are also important due to the association with reproductive disorders.

Sudden dietary changes and/or dietary toxins may cause irritation and/or affect the immune system. Eosinophilic gastroenteritis, a chronic form of the illness, has been associated with allergens in dog foods. Gastroenteritis may be also observed due to irritation caused by stress, toxins, physical obstruction, ulcers, and abdominal disorders.

Gastroenteritis is not specific to any breed or gender, however, small breed dogs are more prone to infectious gastroenteritis.

Diagnosis

It may be difficult to identify the cause of gastroenteritis. Therefore, invasive diagnostic procedures may be required if routine diagnostic procedures are not successful.

A brief outline of diagnostic procedures:

Medical history:

• Physical obstruction, tumors, ulcers, intestinal blockage, etc.

• Information about the severity, progression and magnitude of the vomiting and diarrhea

• The vaccination record may help in ruling out a parvoviral infection

Physical observations:

• A skin test to determine the presence and extent of dehydration

• An abdominal palpation to check abdominal pain and/or abdominal obstruction

• An examination of mucus membranes to determine hemorrhagic losses

• Cardiovascular function provides information on dehydration and/or blood loss

• Visual observation of the vomit and/or stool to determine if there is blood present

Routine blood/biochemical tests:

• Packed cell volume (hematocrit) data to confirm hemorrhagic gastroenteritis

• Biochemical tests (i.e., liver, kidney, blood protein, and blood sugar)

Fecal study:

• Cultural assays to identify any potential microbiological or parasitic organisms

Radiographs/endoscopy:

• To locate any potential physical obstruction, tumor, ulcer, intestinal blockage, etc.

Treatment

In most of the cases, dogs recover and respond very well. The course of treatment, however, is dependent on the underlying cause of the condition. A brief outline of treatment is given below:

• Fluid and electrolyte therapies are important, especially in cases of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis.

• Antibiotic therapy may be restricted to animals with systemic infections.

• Corticosteroid therapy is useful in cases of shock. Usually hypovolemic shock develops due to dehydration.

• Dog medications that soothe the intestine and bind noxious agents can also be used in supportive therapy.

• Parasitic infections are treated with anthelmintics.

• Physical obstruction, ulcers and tumors may need surgical treatment.

Living and Management

An improved diet may reduce intestinal infections and other gastrointestinal disorders. The main priority should be to provide healing time for the dog's inflamed intestinal area. Thus, food and water should not be given for at least a period of 24 hours to rest the intestine. Then, provide a bland diet for three to seven days, followed by a gradual return to the dog's normal diet.

Often dietary irritants (especially protein) may lead to a recurrence of the problem. In these cases, a special hypoallergenic medical diet may be required.

Prevention

Some veterinarians have recently emphasized the importance of restoring intestinal microflora through food additives (e.g., probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics) in order to prevent the infection from recurring.

If dog owners are using homemade diets, the ideal micro- and macro-nutrient profile, along with optimum energy density, must be the focus of formulation. These diets provide highly digestible nutrients, less fats and restricted osmolarity. Consult your veterinarian for a proper, well-balanced diet for your dog.

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