Is Feline Panleukopenia Simply Cat Distemper?

Characteristics of Feline Distemper Outbreaks

Feline distemper primarily affects cats but can also infect other members of the cat family, such as tigers, lions, leopards, wildcats, ferrets, and jungle cats. Cats of all ages are susceptible, though kittens under one year old, particularly those between 3 to 5 months, are most vulnerable. Older cats are less likely to fall ill, and adult cats often show no symptoms upon infection. Infected cats are the primary source of transmission, releasing the virus through feces, urine, vomit, saliva, and secretions from the eyes and nose. The virus contaminates feed, water, utensils, bedding, cages, and shelters, and is then transmitted to healthy cats or other feline species through oral contact. Recovered cats can also shed the virus in their feces. Pregnant females can pass the virus directly to their offspring via the placenta, and bloodsucking insects can also spread the disease.

Symptoms of Feline Distemper

The incubation period for feline distemper ranges from 2 to 6 days. The most acute form may result in sudden death without symptoms. The acute form is less severe but can lead to death within 24 hours. Affected cats exhibit fever, with temperatures reaching 40°C, lasting about 24 hours before returning to normal. This pattern may repeat with temperatures rising again to 40°C or higher. Cats may appear listless, lose their appetite, have rough fur, vomit repeatedly, suffer from persistent diarrhea with blood in the stool, severe dehydration, thirst, sunken eyes, pale conjunctiva, and purulent discharge from the eyes and nose. White blood cell counts may drop below 1x10^6 cells per milliliter, indicating a poor prognosis. Cats that survive for more than 7 days have a chance of recovery. Pregnant females may experience miscarriage or stillbirth.

Pathological Changes in Feline Distemper

The gastrointestinal tract is often empty, with varying degrees of congestion, hemorrhage, edema, and a coating of mucus and纤维素ous exudates on the mucosal surface. The ileum and cecum are particularly affected, with the intestinal wall often appearing like a rubber tube. The lumen may contain grayishred or yellowgreen纤维素ous and necrotic pseudomembranes or纤维素 strands. Lymph nodes in the mesentery may swell, with a moist, marbled appearance in a gray and white pattern, or a uniform bright red or dark red color. Long bone marrow may appear jellylike. The liver, kidneys, and other visceral organs may show congestion and degeneration. The spleen may hemorrhage, and the lungs may exhibit congestion, hemorrhage, and edema.

Differential Diagnosis of Feline Distemper

1. Feline Panleukopenia vs. Feline Roundworm Disease

Both conditions present with symptoms like rough fur, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Distinguishing features: Cats with roundworm disease are affected by parasitic worms, showing symptoms such as decreased appetite, early cough, pale conjunctiva, weight loss, anemia, and pica. Fecal examination reveals worm eggs.

2. Feline Panleukopenia vs. Feline E. coli Infection

Both conditions exhibit symptoms like anorexia, depression, diarrhea, weakness, and foulsmelling feces.

Distinguishing features: E. coli infection is more common in kittens younger than one week old, with lower body temperatures, no vomiting, and E. coli can be isolated from the small intestine contents.

3. Feline Panleukopenia vs. Feline Hookworm Disease

Both conditions present with symptoms like rough fur, vomiting, diarrhea, and blood in the stool.

Distinguishing features: Cats with hookworm disease have a normal body temperature, decreased appetite, pica, alternating constipation and diarrhea, and some may have black, foulsmelling feces. Fecal examination reveals worm eggs.

4. Feline Panleukopenia vs. Feline Acute Gastroenteritis

Both conditions show symptoms like elevated body temperature (3940°C), vomiting, diarrhea, watery stool, sometimes with blood, depression, anorexia, and rapid weight loss.

Distinguishing features: Acute gastroenteritis in cats is noncontagious. With gastritis, vomiting is frequent, and diarrhea is minimal. With enteritis, the stool is purulent and mixed with blood, with tenesmus and a foul smell. When both the stomach and intestines are inflamed, symptoms appear simultaneously. Blood tests show no decrease in white blood cell counts. No nucleated inclusions are found in the intestinal villi, and there are no changes in the red bone marrow.

5. Feline Panleukopenia vs. Feline Food Poisoning from Spoiled Food

Both conditions present with symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, depression, anorexia, and weakness.

Distinguishing features: Food poisoning from spoiled food is noncontagious, and it occurs due to consuming spoiled food. The body temperature is normal, and there may be drooling and convulsions. White blood cell counts are not reduced.

Notes

A preliminary diagnosis can be made based on the outbreak characteristics, the typical biphasic fever pattern, frequent vomiting, severe diarrhea, significant white blood cell count reduction in blood tests, and pathological examination. For a definitive diagnosis, further laboratory tests are necessary.

Preventive Measures for Feline Distemper

1. Prevention

① Vaccinate cats. Administer the inactivated vaccine at 810 weeks of age, followed by a second dose 24 weeks later. After the second dose, immunity should be strong within 7 days, with a protection period of six months. Vaccinate twice a year thereafter.

② Maintain good hygiene in cat shelters. Isolate new cats for vaccination and observation for 60 days before introducing them to the group.

③ If the disease occurs, immediately isolate the affected cats. Earlystage cases can be treated with comprehensive measures. For later stages, culling and deep burial of sick and dead cats are recommended. Disinfect contaminated food, water, utensils, and the environment with 0.5% formaldehyde solution. Recovered cats can develop immunity.

2. Treatment

The treatment principle is antiviral, prevention of secondary infections, and symptomatic treatment.

① Antiviral treatment

Hightiter feline distemper immune serum for specific treatment, 24 mg/kg body weight, administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly once daily for 23 days.

Ribavirin, 57 mg/kg body weight, administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly once daily.

Acyclovir, 510 mg/kg body weight, administered intravenously once daily for 10 days.

Interferon, 1020 million units per dose, administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly every other day.

Shuanghuanglian, 60 mg/kg body weight, administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly once daily.

② Antibacterial treatment to prevent secondary infections

Ampicillin, 1020 mg/kg body weight, administered orally twice or three times daily, or subcutaneously or intramuscularly or intravenously twice or three times daily.

Cefazolin sodium, 1530 mg/kg body weight, administered intramuscularly or intravenously three or four times daily.

Suprax (amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium suspension), 0.1 ml/kg body weight, administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly once daily.

③ Antiinflammatory treatment

Dexamethasone, 0.5 mg/kg body weight, administered orally or intramuscularly once or twice daily.

④ Antiemetic treatment

Metoclopramide, 0.20.5 mg/kg body weight, administered orally or subcutaneously, or intravenously at a rate of 0.010.08 mg/(kg body weight·hour) for infusion.

⑤ Fluid replacement

Lactated Ringer's solution with 5% glucose, ATP, coenzyme A, and vitamin C to replenish fluids.