Feline Panleukopenia

TL;DR. Parvovirus foarte contagios la pisici; îngrijire intensivă și vaccinare salvează vieți.

Severe lethargy and dehydration are typical in kittens.

Ce este?

FPV (parvovirus; also called feline distemper) destroys rapidly dividing cells in bone marrow and intestinal crypts. Result: severe leukopenia plus gut barrier failure and sepsis risk. Extremely stable in the environment.

Cauze și factori de risc

Feline panleukopenia virus; some canine parvovirus variants can infect cats. Fecal-oral and fomite spread. Survives months to a year on surfaces; needs bleach ~1:30. Highest risk: young, unvaccinated kittens after maternal antibody fade.

Semne

• Leukopenia (cardinal, on CBC)
• Vomiting, anorexia, dehydration, fever then possible hypothermia, severe lethargy (common)
• Diarrhea (may be bloody), thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, hypokalemia (occasional)
• In utero: cerebellar hypoplasia in kittens (rare presentation of prenatal infection)

Skin-tent testing helps assess dehydration.

Cum diagnostichează medicii veterinari

History + CBC (profound leukopenia). In-clinic fecal parvovirus ELISA (cross-reacts; moderate sensitivity, high specificity). PCR for confirmation. Isolate immediately.

Opțiuni de tratament

No specific antiviral. Intensive isolation support: IV fluids/electrolytes, nutrition, broad-spectrum antibiotics against bacterial translocation, plasma if severe hypoalbuminemia. Early aggressive care improves survival.

Prognostic

Guarded. Roughly half may survive with intensive care in published series; survivors of first ~5 days often recover with lasting immunity. Severe leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, hypokalemia worsen outlook.

Prevenire

Core vaccination past 12 weeks of age (kitten series + boosters). Disinfect with bleach 1:30; discard non-bleachable items after an outbreak. Quarantine new cats ~2 weeks.

Când sunați medicul veterinar

Level-5 emergency for any unvaccinated cat/kitten with persistent vomiting, extreme lethargy, refusal to eat/drink, bloody diarrhea, high fever or sudden coldness. Do not wait.

Surse

• Internal Medicine, 5th Edition, page 493.
• Small Animal Critical Care Medicine, 2nd Edition, page 562.

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