Symptoms & Treatment of Feline Panleukopenia: Comprehen

Understanding Feline Panleukopenia and Feline Coronavirus

Feline Panleukopenia, commonly referred to as FIP, is an inappropriate immune response caused by a virus known as "Feline Coronavirus (FCoV)." FCoV is a member of the ancient coronavirus family. This virus is divided into two types, Type I and Type II, both of which can lead to Feline Panleukopenia. The FCoV spreads among cats through the "fecesoral" route, but it does not transmit to other species. In areas with a high concentration of cats, the positivity rate for FCoVspecific antibodies can reach up to 90%, and even in a single cat household, it can be as high as 50%. However, it's important to note that only about 5% of those infected will ultimately develop Feline Panleukopenia.

In simple terms, FCoV is very common in cats. In a singlecat household, the infection rate is already 50%, and in homes with two or more cats, or even in catteries, the probability rises to 90%. Therefore, it is not uncommon for cats to be infected with "Feline Coronavirus." (The term "single cat household" refers to a home with only one cat; "positive for FCoVspecific antibodies" means that the cat has been infected with FCoV, and its immune system has produced corresponding antibodies. By checking for these antibodies, we can determine if a cat has been infected with the coronavirus.)

Most cats infected with the coronavirus show no symptoms, as the immune system clears or suppresses the virus. Some may experience symptoms like a runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, or diarrhea, but these usually resolve quickly and may go unnoticed by the owner.

Most cats live out their lives without incident, but a few unfortunate ones may develop "panleukopenia." The mechanism by which "Feline Coronavirus" triggers "Feline Panleukopenia" is still a subject of debate. Some believe it is caused by a "virus mutation," but recent research suggests otherwise:

It was once hypothesized that FCoV is divided into two categories: one is enteric coronavirus, which does not cause Feline Panleukopenia, and the other is a mutated enteric coronavirus that can lead to the disease. However, recent research indicates that all types of FCoV can cause Feline Panleukopenia. Reverse transcriptase PCR studies have shown that the previous hypothesis was incorrect, and it is only the virulence of the virus that varies.

Symptoms of Feline Panleukopenia

The terrifying aspect of Feline Panleukopenia is that the cat coronavirus is everywhere, and it's almost impossible to avoid. Many cats carry it, and there is a certain probability (5%) of developing "panleukopenia" if exposed.

FIP does not have typical specific symptoms: most cats do not show any detectable symptoms in the early stages, and by the time they do, it is often in a very severe stage:

Ⅰ. General symptoms

A. Symptoms may appear suddenly or develop slowly over several weeks.

B. Early symptoms are nonspecific, such as loss of appetite, weight loss, depression, and dehydration.

C. Fever of 39.540.6℃ (103.1105.1℉), which is antibioticresistant and fluctuating.

D. Jaundice may occur.

E. Anemia.

F. Abdominal swelling, with fluctuating sensation upon palpation.

G. Unequal pupil size.

Ⅱ. Exudative

A. Fever may occur.

B. Abdominal fluid – typical ascites.

C. Pleural effusion, leading to respiratory distress or difficulty breathing, weak heart sounds, and/or pale mucous membranes.

D. Pericardial effusion, also causing respiratory distress.

E. Jaundice may occur.

F. Iris discoloration, mainly due to uveitis.

Ⅲ. Nonexudative

A. Symptoms are not prominent.

B. Persistent fever and weight loss.

C. Symptoms reflect the organs affected.

1. The most commonly affected organs are abdominal organs (kidneys, lymph nodes, peritoneum, omentum, and liver).

2. Neurological symptoms – depending on the infected area.

3. Visual damage includes purulent granulomatous uveitis, anterior chamber hemorrhage, retinal hemorrhage, peripheral vasculitis, or choroidoretinitis.

D. Jaundice may occur.

E. Painful palpation of the abdomen.

F. In some cases, mesenteric lymph node enlargement may be found.

Diagnosis of Feline Panleukopenia

The trouble and horror of Feline Panleukopenia lie not only in the omnipresent coronavirus but also in the uncertain risk of developing the disease. The most challenging aspect is the diagnosis.

Diagnosing wet FIP (with ascites) is relatively easier, but diagnosing dry FIP (without ascites) is quite difficult:

FIP does not have a direct diagnostic method, unlike other diseases like feline distemper, which can be detected using specific tests or a single laboratory test. The diagnosis of FIP relies on a multitude of conditions, gradually eliminating or confirming possibilities. Therefore, many tests and examinations must be conducted to make a comprehensive judgment, as FIP's presentation is diverse and can be easily confused with other diseases. The diagnosis is essentially a process of elimination – ruling out other diseases until none remain, and then it is determined to be FIP.

Treatment of Feline Panleukopenia

Unfortunately, Feline Panleukopenia is largely fatal (about 95%), with a very poor prognosis. There is no specific treatment, and it cannot be cured. The only option is supportive treatment – that is, treating the symptoms, alleviating pain, and extending survival time.

However, because diagnosing FIP is so difficult and relies on "guesswork," if a cat can eat and drink (even if it has to be forcefed), there is still hope. Do not give up easily unless all methods have been tried, the owner has done their best, all possibilities have been ruled out, and the cat is in too much pain to have a quality of life. In such cases, the owner may choose to have the cat euthanized to relieve them from suffering.

Prevention of Feline Panleukopenia

Although "Feline Panleukopenia" has the word "infectious" in its name, the disease itself is not contagious. What is contagious is the "Feline Coronavirus" before it mutates and has a 5% chance of causing the disease. Therefore, prevention mainly focuses on:

Preventing the spread of FCoV: The virus spreads through the "fecesoral" route, so the key is to maintain good hygiene in the cat's feces and diet: indoor breeding, do not allow cats to go outside and come into contact with public environments and other cats' feces, use cat litter boxes exclusively for each cat (which is difficult in reality), clean the cat litter boxes promptly, and regularly replace and disinfect them. Keep the living environment clean and disinfected (common disinfectants and ultraviolet lights have certain killing effects on coronaviruses in the environment, although they are ineffective against those in the cat's body). Keep food and water away from the litter box and regularly clean and disinfect them. The owner should also wash their hands after handling the cat litter to avoid direct contact with the cat, even for feeding, etc. In short, maintain good hygiene.