Not only do dogs suffer from a slug. This disease manifests itself in cats. In both species of animals the plague is carried by different viruses, but it proceeds equally heavily, and the outcome is often lethal.
Plague in cats is not an official definition. In fact, the disease is called "panleukopenia." The disease is caused by a common virus, which is similar to viruses that provoke enteritis in mink. Panleukopenia is extremely contagious and can be transmitted by close contact with the infected animal, as well as through objects. In addition to domestic cats, the virus affects other felids, as well as mink and marten. The virus for a long time exists in the external environment, resists the effects of disinfectant medications and temperature leaps. After recovering the cat, the virus can stay in the body for up to six months, standing out with secrets and feces. Having recovered from a panleukopenia cat gets immunity for the rest of life.
In order to help the animal in time, it is necessary to know how the plague is found in cats. Symptoms of the disease are quite specific and easily identifiable.
Patch in animals: characteristic symptoms
The incubation period of panleukopenia is 2-10 days, and acute takes 1-10 days. Initially, affected cells that actively divide - intestinal epithelium, bone marrow, lymphoid tissues, myocardium, and in pregnant animals - the fetus and placenta. A greater chance of catching a plague is in young cats, but in principle, an animal can be caught by an animal of any age. The probability of mortality varies from 20% to 90%.
The disease of cats is expressed in the following symptoms:
- fever (temperature reaches 41 °);
- refusal of water and food, although the cat is very thirsty;
- apathy;
- watery diarrhea ;
- vomiting ;
- dehydration of the body.
These are the primary symptoms of the plague. A few days later, colic begins in the stomach, lymph nodes swell in the abdomen. In the secretions of the animal there are inclusions of blood, and the shell of the mouth becomes blue and dries up. If the temperature drops when the painful manifestations persist, then there is a high probability that the disease will end in death.
Symptoms of plague in kittens and cats depend on immunity and age, as well as on the degree of pathogenicity of the disease. The chum also causes a change in behavior. The animal is hammered into a cool secluded place. They sit hunched over, or just lie on their stomachs, stretching their legs and throwing their heads back. Old cats have swelling of the lungs, which is accompanied by wheezing. Sometimes the disease is accompanied by cramps and sluggish condition.
Cat's cage: treatment
If the pet has the symptoms listed, then you must certainly begin treatment. Unfortunately, there is no cure for a complete recovery. The body must cope with the aggressive virus. At the first stage, the cat is injected with hyperimmune serum. But the secondary bacterial virus is suppressed by antibiotics of different spectrum. In addition to the listed methods of treatment, there are also auxiliary:
- subcutaneous administration of 5% glucose solution and electrolyte mixtures;
- antiemetic drugs that reduce fluid loss;
- vitamins;
- in case of development of shock, corticosteroids are prescribed.
As you can see, the treatment is rather complicated and expensive. To be safe from panleukopenia, one should practice timely prevention. The most effective way of prevention is vaccination.
The first vaccination is done at 8 weeks of age. At the age of 12 weeks, a revaccination is done. After this, the cat is vaccinated annually. It is believed that vaccinations with a modified vaccine prolong immunity against panleukopenia until 3 years.