FELINE PANLEUCOPENIA

    Parvovirus is a known  villain for all veterinarians.  

"Parvo" when mentioned always connotes the dog disease. Cats also have their own version of parvovirus. Different terms used, but the same virus.

Feline Panleucopenia

Feline Enteritis

Feline Distemper

Working for years in the Kingdom, this viral entity has emerged to be one of the most prevalent disease afflicting young cats.  I have seen this disease mellow out during the summer and makes a dramatic resurgence during the winter.   "My kitten is not eating anymore, has been vomiting, and has malodorous diarrhea" if these symptoms are observed by the client, and the patient is a young, unvaccinated cat, this is one of the virus that always come to the minds of your veterinarian to be ruled out.

About this virus

• A known viral enteritis in kittens and cats less than 1 year.
• Parvovirus are extremely hardy and resistant to inactivation. Sodium Hypochlorite for disinfection is the best disinfectant so far in this case.
• High mortality and high morbidity.  Sudden death can happen and it can wipe out a litter of kittens.
• The infection is similar to the Canine Parvovirus (CPV).  This is the dog counterpart of the disease. 
• Severe infection in young and unvaccinated pets.
• Once a pet survives the infection, there is immunity for life.

How to know if your pet is infected with this viral infection?

Complete Blood Count.  Your veterinarian will recommend blood testing.  The complete blood count can be utilized to identify if your pet has the infection.  The presence of a low White Blood Cell Count with the symptoms of diarrhea and persistent vomiting in young cats is a distinctive characteristic of the virus. 

Feline Parvo test kits are also used to detect infection.  Fecal samples are the ones used for this diagnostic test.  

Your veterinarian's experience. Base on the quality of the stool and by accidentally "sniffing" the odor of the stool during temperature check, your veterinarian can likely tell parvo infection.

Treatment

Primary approach to this viral infection is supportive.

  

Intravenous fluid therapy to address dehydration.  It is a wasting disease.  Infected animal will vomit and continue to have watery stool.  Antibiotics to control secondary bacterial infection and Anti-emetics to control vomiting episodes.  Nutritional support to prevent further deterioration.

A lot of treatment protocols can be seen in the internet.  Home treatment via daily injections or thru Hospitalization, the goal is the same.  Intravenous fluid therapy has the advantage if you will ask me compared to intramuscular/under the skin routes, Venous access is the best and fastest way to deliver medication.

Cost.  This will be the equalizer between hospitalization and home treatment.  My opinion, more successful recoveries on the ones hospitalized.  It is costly because it will need at least 7 days, more fluid replacements, more anti-emetic and antibiotic injections, more towels, cleaning will be round-the-clock and lastly, more personnel monitoring your pet at the clinic. 

Prevention

Vaccinations. "Prevention is better than cure" as the saying goes.  Young cats and multi-cat households have their own vaccination program. Kindly check the blog entitled CAT HEALTH PROGRAM.  You will see the age and the vaccination recommended for your pets.

Best to see your veterinarian for complete details.

Source: 

Drobatz ,K.J. and Costello, M.F. 2010. Feline Emergency and Critical Care Medicine. Wiley-Blackwell.  John Wiley & Sons Publication