September 12, 2018 |5 min read |Veterinarian Reviewed
Everything You Need to Know about Cat Panleukopenia
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Cat panleukopenia is a feline virus that affects cats worldwide. While cases of this disease are declining, it is still high in areas where cats are generally unvaccinated. There are several important things you should know about cat panleukopenia.
1. What is Cat Panleukopenia?
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2. What are the Symptoms of Cat Panleukopenia?
Unfortunately, some cats succumb to the virus without showing any symptoms. Other times a cat may have a fever, lack of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, or exhibit signs of depression. Becoming lethargic or dehydrated are also warning signs that the cat is ill with panleukopenia.
3. How is Cat Panleukopenia Transmitted?
While cats can usually only pass the virus for a few days during the time when they're infected, the virus can survive in the environment for as long as a year. This means a cat may get sick with the virus without any actual contact with another animal. A cat may pick up the virus from bedding, dishes and even people who have handled an infected animal and not washed their hands.
4. How is Cat Panleukopenia Treated?
Once a cat has become ill, supportive care is the best treatment that can be offered. This would likely include fluids and antibiotics. IV fluids may be necessary to restore the necessary fluid and electrolyte imbalance. Isolation is critical during the time the cat is infected. Even if there aren't any other animals in the general area, the virus can contaminate the surrounding environment.
The Journal of Veterinary Science & Medical Diagnosis states that successful treatment is largely dependent on diagnosing the disease early and then beginning aggressive treatment. It's important to watch for secondary infections due to a decrease in the level of white blood cells. Once infected with the panleukopenia virus a cat may be more susceptible to serious bacterial infections.