Feline
Panleukopenia
The
Disease
.....Clinical signs can appear as early as 24 hours after exposure.
.....It is highly contagious.
.....Transmission via direct contact or contact with secretions
of another cat. The virus can also be transmitted by fleas and biting
insects.
.....Caused by panleukopenia virus ( a feline parvovirus).
.....The virus is very stable outside the host and may live for
a year or more.
.....Clinical signs include vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia and dehydration.
The virus causes severe leukopenia and may cause abortions and fetal
abnormalities in pregnant cats.
.....Diagnosis usually by a fecal ELISA test.
.....No cure for the disease.
..... Affects cats, raccoons and mink.
The Vaccine
.....Live attenuated vaccines should not be administered to
pregnant or debilitated cats.
.....Very effective attenuated live vaccines are available as well
and inactivated vaccines.
.....The duration of immunity from the mom is highly variable and
some kittens may become susceptible to infection by 6 weeks of age
.....Immunity after the use of a modified live vaccine has been
suggested to last for 3 years or more in many but not all cats.
.....Annual
vaccination may not be necessary but is recommended to ensure immunity
is maintained with attenuated vaccines.
..... An inactivated vaccine is generally only good for one year.
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