Feline Viruses

Cowpox Epidemiology

Uncommon in Europe, NEVER seen in US

Cowpox Symptoms

In dom cat infection associated with fever

In cheetahs frequently fatal

Cowpox Transmission

Acquired from black voles in which infection is subclinical

Calicivirus Infection Clinical Importance

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Calicivirus Infection Symptoms

Dyspnea lasting up to a week

Resp type: tongue, gingiva, and hard palate ulcers predominate, other areas include nasal cavity, pinnae

Pneumonia is variable

Lymphoreticular type: affect kittens at 4-10 wks causing limping, stiffness, soreness, and fever

Virulent systemic: resp spreads, submandibular and limb edema, temp > 106, spread to haired skin and footpads causing alopecia and ulcerative dermatitis

Calicivirus Infection Transmission

Resp: aerosol/oral

Virulent systemic: spreads rapidly by fomites, systemic disease and 60% of adults can die

Viral Rhinotracheitis Clinical Importance

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Viral Rhinotracheitis Symptoms

Rhinitis and pharyngitis most common in 8-14 wk range (sneezing, nasal discharge, lingual ulcers)

Conjunctivitis and dendritic corneal ulcers may develop

Chronic sinusitis may develop

Kittens may develop systemic disease at 2-4 wks and may fade and die

Herpesviruses associated w persistent infections, esp in multi cat houses

Carrier queens may have abortions

Viral Rhinotracheitis Transmission

Oral/nasal transmission

Latent or active carriers are common and glucocorticoids may induce shedding

Panleukopenia Clinical Importance

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Panleukopenia Epidemiology

Rare since vaccine

Panleukopenia Symptoms

Lethargy, anorexia, vom yello fld, act thirsty but dont drink, high fever above 40 C, severe dehydration, diarrhea (yellowish/blood tinged) GI tract swollen and filled with gas and liquid

Pregnant cats may abort

Kitten infected in utero: ataxia

Panleukopenia Treatment, Control, and Prevention

Vaccine, shelter management, disinfect

Leukemia Clinical Importance

++

Leukemia Epidemiology

Decreased prevalence of FeLV and lymphoma since 90s

Leukemia Symptoms

Most common cause of cancer in cats (lymphoma)

May cause blood disorders, lead to a state of immune deficiency

During the early stages of its infection, it is common for cats to exhibit no signs of disease at all!

Dec app, weight loss, bad coat, big LN, fever, pale mm, inflamm gums and mouth, inf skin, bladder, URT, diarrhea, seizures, behav changes, neuro disorders, eye conditions, abortion of kittens or repro failures

Wavy whiskers

Leukemia Transmission

Vert from queens to kittens, horizontally among cats living together or fighting; virus shed in saliva, nasal secretions, feces, milk, urine

Strong age-related protection: adults relatively resistant to inf

Immunodeficiency Infections (FIV) Clinical Importance

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Immunodeficiency Infections (FIV) Symptoms

Primary: Fever, enlarged lymph nodes, Lethargy, anorexia and weight loss, low neutrophil count, Mild stomatitis

Immunosuppression: go to lecture 11 slide 6

Stomatits - most common clinical disease in FIV, late-stage event

Many cats remain asymptomatic

Immunodeficiency Infections (FIV) Transmission

Bite wounds! Most are male toms, queen to kitten transmission is rare, may not spread in households with no fighting

Coronavirus Clinical Importance

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Coronavirus Epidemiology

↑ infecti- ous, ↑ seroconversion in households

Coronavirus Symptoms

Inapparent or mild signs of enteritis or resp disease

Not necessarily a clinical concern

Coronavirus Transmission

Oronasal Transmission

Rabies Clinical Importance

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Rabies Symptoms

Loss of appetite, anxiety, infection of limbic system causes restlessness, wandering, hypersensitivity to stimulus

Rabies Transmission

Cats can be infected by contact from coons or bats

Rabies Treatment, Control, and Prevention

Vaccine

Influenza (H5N1) Symptoms

Loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, then progress to neuro signs, severe depression, oculonasal discharge, and other resp signs

Influenza (H5N1) Transmission

Food, exposure to infected wild birds or poultry, exposure to people working on farms

Infectious peritonitis Symptoms

Systemic and often fatal

Extremely diverse clinical manifestations 

Wet form: large amount of effusion into thorax and abdomen felt as fluid wave

Dry non-effusive form: lesions in eyes and CNS, granulomas in peritoneal cavity, weight loss

May survive for a few weeks but highly fatal

Infectious peritonitis Treatment, Control, and Prevention

Anti-inflammatory immunosuppressive, supportive care, fatal, vaccine

Leukemia Diagnosis

SNAP Test

Leukemia Treatment, Control, and Prevention

Vaccines available but identification and segregation of inf cats most important

Vaccine

29-47% survival rate

Immunodeficiency Infections (FIV) Treatment, Control, and Prevention

Simple iso is effective, routine disinfectants, vaccine removed in 2015

80-94% survival rate