Case series of feline panleukopenia virus in an animal shelter

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe a series of confirmed and suspected cases of feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) and in-contact cats in an adoption-guarantee shelter in an FPV-endemic area by reviewing shelter records over a 10-month period (January-October 2010). Cats were divided into three groups: in-contact group - asymptomatic cats that were housed with a FPV fecal antigen (Ag)-positive cat/kitten as part of a litter group (n = 66); FPV-survivors group (FPV-infected survivors) - tested FPV fecal Ag-positive and showed clinical signs of FPV, but survived (n = 27); FPV-non-survivors group (FPV-infected non-survivors) - showed clinical signs of FPV and either tested FPV fecal Ag-positive or were housed with an Ag-positive family member, but did not survive (n = 52). Ages ranged from 3 weeks to 3 years, but most were <6 months old (in-contact group: 79%; FPV-survivors group: 70%; FPV-non-survivors group: 85%). A seasonal peak occurred over summer, but cases occurred year-round. Anorexia, dehydration, fever and diarrhea predominated in the FPV-survivors group, and death was preceded by clinical signs of circulatory shock in the FPV-non-survivors group. Housing litters of kittens with their mother was not associated with improved outcome, perhaps because in this population clinical FPV infection was relatively common in queens arriving at the shelter with susceptible litters.

Prognostic value of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and serum concentrations of acute phase proteins, cholesterol, and total thyroxine in cats with panleukopenia

“…In our opinion, clinical evidence suggests that in cats gastrointestinal signs caused by FPV are less common and milder when present, as compared to CPV infection in dogs. In fact, parvoviral infection in dogs historically is known as canine parvoviral enteritis, whereas parvoviral disease in cats traditionally is named feline panleukopenia . Thus, because hypocholesterolemia is also a marker of severity of gastrointestinal signs, it is not surprising that dogs with hypocholesterolemia, and possibly a more severe form of the disease, also have a worse outcome …”

Gastrointestinal ultrasonographic findings in cats with Feline panleukopenia: a case series

“…The most common clinical signs are anorexia, lethargy, fever, dehydration, hemorrhagic diarrhea, and vomiting [3]. Diagnosis is made by combining history, clinical findings, and hematologic changes together with detection of FPV or canine parvovirus (CPV) antigen in feces or viral DNA in blood or in feces [1,4]. A recent study on survival and prognostic factors of FPV [5,6] showed that shelter cats without signs of lethargy, with a higher body weight, or higher rectal temperature at admission were more likely to survive.…”

Diagnostic testing for feline panleukopenia in a shelter setting: a prospective, observational study

“…Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), or feline parvovirus, is a highly contagious pathogen that can cause severe illness in cats, particularly kittens, with a mortality rate of 50-90%. [1][2][3][4] Feline panleukopenia (FP) infection is important in animal shelters, which frequently house large numbers of un-or under-vaccinated kittens. 3,5 Outbreaks can result in high mortality, euthanasia and shelter closures.…”