Panleukopenia in cats - symptoms

Our furry pets - cats - in general and as a whole are quite viable creatures. But, alas, sometimes the cat's are affected by certain specific diseases, one of which is panleukopenia or the so-called cat's feather .

The virus of panleukopenia in cats

The causative agent of catnip is the virus of the family of parvoviruses, characterized by high resistance to high and low temperatures, as well as many disinfectants. Infection of the animal, especially with free-range walking, occurs by contact with the sick or sick animal, with objects that have touched the sick (sick) animal or its secretions. Even domestic cats who never cross the threshold of the house can get infected with this disease. The fact is that the virus of panleukopenia can get to pets with particles of street soil or dust brought on the shoes. The possibility of transmission of the plague by blood-sucking parasites - fleas, mites, lice, is not ruled out. Pay attention to the behavior of your pet, so that in case of any deviation from normal behavior, immediately help him. The most striking signs of panleukopenia in cats include a sharp increase in temperature, the emergence of severe vomiting and diarrhea. The cat suffers from thirst, but refuses to drink, possibly from constant nausea and sharp pains in the abdomen.

Panleukopenia in cats - symptoms, treatment

To some of the symptoms of panleukopenia in cats that have been mentioned above, you can add a further deterioration in the condition of the coat - it falls down and dims. There may be the appearance of secretions from the eyes and nose. Vomit contains a characteristic white foam, and feces are liquid, watery, with a very fetid odor.

In this condition, the animal needs immediate medical attention. But! The fact is that as such treatment for panleukopenia does not exist and medical assistance consists in providing emergency therapy. Panleukopenia is a very dangerous viral disease with a rapid current and, alas, with a high mortality rate. Therefore, the time factor in providing assistance can be decisive in saving the life of your pet.

There are several forms of panleukopenia:

  1. Superbright . Characterized by the rapid course of the disease without visible symptoms and, unfortunately, almost 100 percent mortality in the first hours after infection with the virus.
  2. Subacute . Symptoms are poorly expressed, the disease is detected only after laboratory tests of blood.
  3. Sharp . All the symptoms listed above appear. There is a development of leukopenia (a decrease in the number of leukocytes), there is a sharp dehydration of the body. Therefore, the therapy provides, first of all, compensation of dehydration of the body by introducing solutions of glucose or saline solutions. Simultaneously, immunomodulatory therapy is performed, vitaminization and antimicrobial effects.

Consequences of panleukopenia in cats

It should be noted that the representatives of the feline, as a rule, fall ill with a subacute and acute form of a plague. A severe form of panleukopenia with a fatal outcome is observed only in young individuals and kittens. The course of the disease largely depends on the overall health of the cat, the level of immunity and, not least, on her age. If in the first few hours of manifestation of the symptoms of the disease it is possible to level the condition of the cat, then almost certainly it will survive and recover. At the same time, she will develop immunity to the virus for the rest of her life.