Feline Panleukopenia: Understanding the Disease in Cats
Furthermore, certain complications following abdominal surgeries can lead to ascites, a condition characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. Noninflammatory ascites can stem from various causes, including liverrelated ascites due to conditions like liver cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis, kidneyrelated ascites caused by chronic nephritis or renal insufficiency, heartrelated ascites due to heart dysfunction, and malnutritionrelated ascites. Tumors are also a potential cause of ascites.
Among these, ascites caused by heart dysfunction has seen a decline in recent years, thanks to improved nutrition in cats, which has mitigated the issue of severe deficiencies in nutrients like taurine.
Ascites in cats is often a symptom of an underlying condition. When ascites is detected, hospitals conduct a series of tests, including blood and biochemical analyses, to determine the cause. Treatment is then tailored to the specific cause, and if local hospitals are unable to identify the cause, seeking care at a larger, more specialized facility is advisable.
Aside from ascites caused by feline infectious peritonitis and malignant tumors, there is a possibility of improvement in other cases of ascites. Therefore, it is important not to abandon treatment prematurely upon discovering ascites in a cat. It is crucial to remember that treatment for ascites, regardless of the cause, is often complex and lengthy. Cat owners should work closely with their veterinarians during this time and avoid selfmedicating to prevent adverse effects.
Some cats with poor health may develop complications after recovery, making ascites a serious condition for felines, although its fatality rate is not as high as that of feline infectious peritonitis.
How can feline infectious peritonitis be prevented? Firstly, it is advisable to avoid taking cats to crowded places. Many people enjoy taking their cats for walks, but this can be detrimental as cats are naturally wary of humans and crowded areas are breeding grounds for bacteria. Cats have weak immune systems, and exposing them to such environments can increase their stress levels and susceptibility to illness.
Secondly, preventing crossinfection is crucial. Cats have weak immune systems, especially in domestic settings. If you have multiple cats at home, it is essential to have multiple litter boxes. Having only one litter box can be unpleasant for the cats and increase the risk of crossinfection, thereby raising the likelihood of illness.
How is feline ascites treated? Initially, the diagnosis of feline ascites involves examining the cat's abdomen to see if it has suddenly become distended. However, this is a superficial method and not professional enough. If your cat's abdomen appears to have increased in size over a short period, it is best to consult a veterinary hospital.
If your cat has a high white blood cell count, positive antibody tests, and elevated globulin levels, it is likely suffering from feline ascites. In cases of liverrelated ascites, treatment should focus on the underlying cause, including the use of liverprotective medications and antioxidants. If the ascites is severe, fluid drainage may be necessary, along with protein infusions.
In cases of ascites caused by nephrotic syndrome or lowprotein enteropathy, treatment should include renal protective medications and a highprotein diet, along with protein infusions. For cats with feline infectious peritonitis or acute peritonitis, treatment should involve injections of 441 or highdose antibiotics. In cases of abdominal bleeding due to trauma or internal organ tumor rupture, surgical intervention may be required.
