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Feline Panleukopenia Flashcards

Feline Panleukopenia Basics

Definition

Feline panleukopenia is a viral infection in cats characterized by sudden onset, vomiting, diarrhea, severe dehydration, and high mortality caused by feline parvovirus (FPV).

Pathophysiology

FPV infects and causes acute death of rapidly dividing cells, mainly affecting the gastrointestinal, hemic/lymphatic/immune, nervous, ophthalmic, and reproductive systems.

Systems Affected

  • Gastrointestinal: Destruction of jejunum and ileum crypt cells leads to blunted villi, malabsorption, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and secondary bacteremia.

  • Hemic/lymphatic/immune: Severe panleukopenia and thymus atrophy occur.

  • Nervous and ophthalmic: In neonates, cerebellar and retinal cell destruction results in cerebellar hypoplasia with ataxia and retinal dysplasia.

  • Reproductive: In utero infections cause fetal death or neurological abnormalities.

Incidence/Prevalence

  • Most severe in unvaccinated populations; routine vaccination provides almost total control.

  • The virus is extremely contagious and stable, surviving for years in contaminated environments.

Signalment

  • Species: Affects all Felidae, some Canidae, Mustelidae, and Procyonidae.

  • Age: Kittens aged 2–6 months are most susceptible; adults often have mild or subclinical infections.

Signs

  • Historical: Recent exposure, newly acquired kitten, no vaccination history.

  • Physical: Lethargy, "panleukopenia posture", dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, fluctuating body temperature, abdominal pain, and ataxia (in kittens infected in utero).

Causes

  • FPV: A small, single-stranded DNA virus with antigenic cross-reactivity with canine parvovirus (CPV).

  • CPV Types 2a, 2b, and 2c can also cause FP in cats.

Risk Factors

Factors such as intestinal parasites, pathogenic bacteria, and viral upper respiratory infections, which increase mitotic activity of small intestinal crypt cells.

Diagnosis

  • Differential Diagnosis: Rule out feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection, salmonellosis, and acute poisoning.

  • CBC/Biochemistry/Urinalysis: Panleukopenia (WBC counts between 500 and 3,000 cells/μL), nonspecific biochemical changes.

  • Other Tests: Fecal immunoassay, chromatographic test strip, serologic testing, and PCR testing to confirm FPV.

Treatment

  • Appropriate Health Care: Rehydration, antibiotic therapy, and supportive care (antiemetics and analgesics).

  • Nursing Care: IV fluids for severe cases, SC fluids for mild cases, antiemetics, and blood transfusions if anemic.

  • Medications: Broad-spectrum antibiotics to counter secondary bacteremia.

Prevention/Avoidance

  • Disinfect environments with a 1:32 dilution of bleach.

  • Vaccines: Core vaccines given to all cats; MLV vaccines are preferred but should not be used in pregnant cats or kittens younger than 4 weeks old.

  • Vaccination Schedule: Start at 6 weeks, then every 3–4 weeks until 16–20 weeks of age, with a booster 1 year later, then every 3 years.

Possible Complications

Shock, sepsis, chronic enteritis, teratogenic effects (cerebellar hypoplasia), and concurrent parasitic infections.

Expected Course and Prognosis

  • Most cases are acute, lasting 5–7 days.

  • Guarded prognosis, especially if WBC count <2,000 cells/μL; approximately 50% mortality.

Miscellaneous

  • Age-Related Factors: Clinical in kittens, subclinical in adults.

  • Zoonotic Potential: None.

  • Pregnancy/Fertility/Breeding: Unvaccinated pregnant cats are at great risk; fetuses often have fatal or teratogenic effects.