Types of Feline Distemper: Overview & Key Diseases

Feline Distemper Symptoms:

When a cat contracts feline distemper, it exhibits a range of distressing symptoms. The affected animal becomes listless, loses its appetite, and experiences fever, often characterized by a biphasic pattern. During this phase, clinical signs intensify, leading to a state of depression. The cat's coat becomes coarse and matted, with the head and front paws pressed against the abdomen. It shows a lack of interest in its owner and the environment. Typically, death occurs shortly after the second rise in body temperature. However, recovery is possible after the second fever subsides. Vomiting is common, with yellowish vomit often containing foam. Diarrhea with blood in the feces is also a frequent occurrence. Dehydration leads to weight loss, and in cases with a longer duration, anemia may develop, with pale conjunctivae. The eyes and nose may have a large amount of purulent discharge. Pregnant cats may suffer from miscarriage, preterm labor, or the birth of stillborn kittens. Kittens that survive may have underdeveloped cerebellum, leading to unsteady gait or crouching beside food and water bowls by the age of 2 to 3 months.

Feline Distemper Treatment:

Simple Type:

This type is most common in the early stages of the disease. Symptoms include vomiting, loss of appetite, and slightly elevated body temperature. Treatment involves:

Compound Isatis Indica Injection: 0.5ml/kg body weight

Gentamicin: 20,000 units/kg body weight

Antivert: 12ml

Administer these medications intramuscularly once or in divided doses, twice a day until the cat recovers. Additionally, Isatis Root Decoction can be used for cooling and detoxifying the body, with a dosage of 0.52g per day for 34 days.

Enteritis Type:

In this type, the cat experiences diarrhea with yellow, black, or red stools, often containing blood and having a foul smell. Severe dehydration, weak vocalizations, and a lack of movement are common. Treatment includes:

Immune Globulin: 0.51ml, administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly, or intravenously if necessary

5% Dextrose Injection: 50100ml

Chloramphenicol: 0.51ml, administered intravenously once a day for 34 days

Sulfadimethoxine: 0.10.3g and Sodium Bicarbonate: 0.5g, taken orally twice a day for 4 days, or up to 7 days if necessary

Amoxicillin: 125,000 units per dose, taken twice a day for 57 days

Yujin Powder: A mixture of Yujin, Kuxin, Huangqin, Dahuang, Huanglian, Huangbai, Chizi, and Baishao, each 1g, taken as a decoction. Administer this mixture rectally or orally once a day for 35 days.

Constipation Type:

In addition to the symptoms mentioned above, the cat may experience diarrhea initially, followed by constipation. Due to vomiting and dehydration, the body lacks moisture, causing the intestines to function improperly. This can lead to constipation, with impacted feces often felt in the lower part of the large intestine. To relieve constipation, you can inject about 5ml of mineral oil or a soft soap solution into the rectum, and gently massage the cat's abdomen to help expel the impacted feces.

NonDefecation Type:

This type is characterized by the absence of feces and impacted feces. This is often due to dehydration caused by vomiting. Treat this by injecting normal saline or medication into the rectum, and adding more warm water to enhance the effect.

Blood in Stool Type:

Symptoms are similar to those of the previous types, but the only difference is the presence of blood in the feces. Treat this by administering Yunnan Baiyao (0.10.3g) orally or rectally twice a day for 34 days, or Anlocaine (12ml) or Eptoin (50100ml) intramuscularly.

Respiratory Type:

In addition to the symptoms mentioned above, the cat may experience difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, and discharge of mucous or purulent nasal mucus. Treatment includes:

Antiviral Immune Globulin: 0.51ml, administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly, or intravenously if necessary

Gentamicin or Streptomycin: 100,000 units/kg body weight, administered intramuscularly

Trizol Nucleotide Injection (Virazole): 10ml/kg body weight, administered once a day for 34 days

Amoxicillin: 0.5g, administered intramuscularly or intravenously twice a day for 7 days

Anemia Type:

In cats with a longer duration of feline distemper, anemia may occur, with pale conjunctivae, purulent discharge from the eyes, nose, and mouth, chills, shivering, and irregular heartbeat. Treatment involves:

Whole Blood Transfusion: 2050ml, mixed with 40100ml of normal saline

Blood transfusions should be repeated to maintain the transfusion effect, as it typically lasts only 3 weeks. To stimulate the production of erythropoietin, allow the hematocrit to drop below 15% before repeating the transfusion.

Mixed Type:

This type involves a combination of the symptoms from the first seven types. Treatment requires a comprehensive approach, with increased medication dosages.