Symptoms and treatment of distemper in cats. Distemper in cats: first signs, symptoms and treatment Feline distemper in a kitten

Symptoms of distemper in cats are manifestations of a dangerous disease that often ends in death. It is very important to notice the first signs of pathology in time and urgently contact a veterinarian. The sooner help is provided to the animal, the greater the chance of a full recovery. Scientifically, this disease is called panleukopenia, since its first sign is a decrease in the number of leukocytes in the blood. And then this pathology affects the gastrointestinal tract and nervous system of the animal. It must be remembered that this disease does not go away on its own; without treatment, in 90% of cases it leads to the death of the pet.

The causative agent of the disease

Panleukopenia is caused by parvovirus. This is a very resistant microorganism. It can live in the external environment for about 1 year. It is very difficult to disinfect and destroy the virus. It is not affected by disinfectants and does not die under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. Living outside the animal’s body, the virus retains its pathogenicity. This makes it very difficult to prevent the disease.

Some pet owners mistakenly believe that this disease is unique to dogs. They have a question about whether cats have distemper. Symptoms of this infection can appear in both dogs and cats. However, it is caused by various microorganisms. In dogs, the causative agent of distemper is paramyxovirus. It is very similar in structure to the feline panleukopenia virus, but these are different pathogens.

For this reason, dogs and cats cannot infect each other with distemper. Such infections have never been reported. The canine virus is not dangerous for cats. It is not pathogenic for them. Also, the feline panleukopenia virus does not pose a threat to dogs.

The symptoms of distemper that appear in a cat also do not pose a danger to humans. People do not get panleukopenia. The feline virus is not pathogenic to humans.

A sick cat can only pose a danger to its relatives. This disease is highly contagious. In the absence of vaccination, the virus spreads rapidly in apartments where several cats live, as well as in animal shelters.

How the virus is transmitted

The source of infection is a sick cat. She releases viruses in saliva, urine and feces. The infection can enter the body of other animals in the following ways:

The disease leaves lasting immunity. Animals do not become infected with distemper again.

Who is most susceptible to the disease?

Some animals are more susceptible to contracting panleukopenia. Signs and symptoms of distemper are most often observed in older cats and small kittens. In children, the immune system is poorly developed; it has difficulty resisting the virus. In old age, the body weakens and it becomes more difficult for it to resist infections. Typically, the disease occurs either in young animals under 1 year of age, or in cats over 8 years of age.

Veterinarians have noted that certain breeds of animals are prone to this disease. These are Siamese, British and Persian cats, as well as Maine Coons.

Forms of the disease

What are the symptoms of distemper in cats? It depends on the type of disease. Most often, the infection is severe, but mild symptoms are also possible. The following forms of panleukopenia exist:

• lightning or ultra-sharp;
• acute;
• subacute.

In most cases, the disease occurs in an acute form. The symptoms of distemper in cats in the fulminant (superacute) form are of great danger. In these cases, panleukopenia very often ends in death. The subacute form has milder symptoms and is sometimes difficult to diagnose.

Lightning form

The fulminant form most often occurs in cubs under 1 year of age. Symptoms of distemper in cats immediately increase, and treatment is often delayed or turns out to be useless. There are cases when a kitten dies for no apparent reason even before signs of infection develop.

The disease occurs with severe damage to the central nervous system. Its symptoms resemble the clinical picture of rabies. The animal begins to be afraid of light and sounds, stops drinking water, and has convulsions. Weakness increases, the cat constantly lies down, her whole body trembles.

Then gastrointestinal symptoms appear, vomiting in the form of yellow foam, diarrhea with a very unpleasant odor, and sometimes mixed with blood. The younger the kitten, the faster its symptoms increase and the worse the prognosis of the disease.

Acute form

What are the most common symptoms of distemper in cats? In most adult animals, the disease occurs in an acute form. After infection there is a short incubation period, it lasts only 1-2 days. Then the animal becomes lethargic and apathetic, loses appetite and constantly lies down. These are the initial signs of the disease, but they are characteristic of many cat ailments.

Next, signs of damage to the gastrointestinal tract appear: vomiting in the form of greenish or yellowish foam, diarrhea with the release of mucous, light-colored feces. The animal's temperature rises to 41 degrees. Subsequently, the fever decreases, but the cat's condition does not improve. If the temperature drops below 37 degrees, this indicates an unfavorable course of the disease. After about a day, bloody admixture is detected in the vomit and feces.

The cat is bothered by constant pain in the abdominal cavity, because of this it is forced to take a tense position. Due to the large loss of fluid, the animal suffers from dehydration. But at the same time, the cat cannot drink due to spastic phenomena in the throat. The coat becomes dull and dry, and the third eyelid droops. These are very dangerous symptoms of distemper in cats, and treatment in such cases should be started immediately. Otherwise, the pet will die from dehydration.

In addition, there may be signs of heart damage. Shortness of breath and blue mucous membranes occur. The respiratory system also suffers, this resembles the symptoms of a cold. A cough appears, as well as discharge from the nose and eyes. Lymph nodes enlarge.

Subacute form

Symptoms of distemper in cats can occur in an erased form. This happens in vaccinated animals or with very high immunity. Signs of pathology are similar to manifestations of the acute form, but are not so pronounced and are much easier to tolerate. The incubation period in this case can last up to several weeks.

Possible consequences

Even if all the signs and symptoms of distemper in a cat have long disappeared, and the treatment was carried out correctly, long-term consequences of the infection for the body may occur. This disease greatly undermines the health of the animal. There may be disturbances in the functioning of the heart and respiratory system. The cat becomes more vulnerable to many infectious pathologies as its immunity deteriorates. Deviations in digestive function often persist, and the pet needs to follow a gentle diet for life.

Diagnostics

Symptoms of distemper in cats can be similar to many other diseases: food poisoning, salmonellosis, leukemia, viral immunodeficiency. Therefore, it is very important to carry out an accurate differential diagnosis.

When a pet is brought to the veterinarian with a high fever, vomiting and diarrhea, the specialist always suspects distemper in an unvaccinated cat. However, additional studies will be needed to confirm the diagnosis:

1. A general blood test is taken. It will show one of the most important symptoms of distemper in cats - a sharp decrease in leukocytes. As the animal begins to recover, the white blood cell count returns to normal.
2. PCR diagnostic tests are prescribed. This helps to identify the pathogen. Blood, stool, or secretions from the nose and eyes are taken for analysis. However, it must be remembered that the virus can be detected in the blood of a healthy cat if it has recently been vaccinated against distemper.

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to make a diagnosis while the animal is alive. In the fulminant form of the disease, the symptoms increase so rapidly that the owner does not have time to take the cat to the veterinarian. In this case, the disease is detected only posthumously.

Treatment methods

How to treat symptoms of distemper in cats? So far, no drug has been developed that could destroy parvovirus. Therefore, therapy is aimed at combating dehydration, strengthening the immune system and relieving the manifestations of the disease.

The following treatment methods are used:

1. First of all, the cat is given drips with infusion solutions. This helps replenish fluid deficiency and restore water and electrolyte balance. For infusions, use glucose solution or saline solution.
2. To make it easier for the body to fight infection, immunomodulators are prescribed: Gamavit, Roncoleukin, Ribotan, Glycopin, Fosprenil, as well as interferon-type drugs.
3. Vitamin A is used to strengthen the immune system. It promotes both healing and restoration of the intestinal mucosa. Vitamins C and group B are also prescribed.
4. Antibiotics cannot kill parvovirus. However, antibacterial drugs are used in the treatment of plague, since a bacterial infection is often associated with a viral infection.
5. Immunoglobulins and serum from the blood of cats that have had panleukopenia help to somewhat neutralize parvovirus. This is an effective remedy. which helps cure even seriously ill kittens. However, such drugs are effective only in the very first days of the disease or during the incubation period.
6. At high temperatures, antipyretics are prescribed.
7. For severe vomiting, Cerucal is used, and for abdominal pain, antispasmodics and analgesics are used.

Many pet owners are interested in whether it is possible to treat the symptoms of distemper in cats at home. In severe cases, the pet must be hospitalized. If the disease is milder, the animal can be left at home. In this case, the cat owner must follow all the veterinarian’s recommendations.

Treatment of panleukopenia with folk remedies is unacceptable and impossible. This is a complex disease that cannot be cured with herbal decoctions and other home remedies. Only a competent professional approach to therapy will help defeat parvovirus infection.

Care and feeding during illness

Treatment of symptoms of distemper in cats at home can only consist of proper care and feeding of the animal. This will complement drug therapy. In this case, you need to follow the advice of the treating veterinarian.

A sick cat should be kept in a warm room where there are no drafts. It is necessary to protect the animal from any hypothermia.

The room must be darkened, as sick cats may experience photophobia. It is necessary to clear the eyes and nose of accumulated secretions. It is also necessary to keep the room where the sick cat is kept clean, take out the litter box on time and clean up vomit.

A sick animal may refuse to eat, in which case you should not try to force feed it. In the first days of the disease, when the cat feels very bad, you can give it warm chicken broth. If the animal cannot eat at all, then parenteral nutrition is performed in a veterinary clinic.

When the pet’s health improves, porridge, chicken and cottage cheese are introduced into the diet. Food should be given pureed and in small portions. Meal frequency is about 5 times a day. It is not recommended to feed a sick animal vegetables and fruits, as well as herbs and grains. This gentle diet must be followed for 2 months after recovery. If the disease proceeds unfavorably and with consequences, then food restrictions must be adhered to for life.

Your cat should always have a bowl of warm boiled water. Due to dehydration, the animal needs fluid. You can add ascorbic acid to your drink.

Is it possible to treat plague with vodka?

Sometimes on forums where cat lovers communicate, you can find information about treating the symptoms of distemper in cats with vodka. Some pet owners report that this "at-home therapy" has helped their pet. Should I follow this recommendation?

Veterinarians have an extremely negative attitude towards such methods of treatment. Animals' bodies are not designed to drink alcohol, and during illness, even a drop of alcohol can cause irreparable harm.

Alcohol increases dehydration during panleukopenia. In addition, alcohol causes intoxication and irritates the intestines, which become inflamed during illness. The use of vodka can only aggravate the course of the plague.

Ethanol does not kill parvovirus. Therefore, its use is pointless and harmful. Treatment of plague should be completely entrusted to a specialist.

Vaccination

The only reliable protection against plague is vaccination. For this purpose, combination drugs are used: “Nobivak”, “Multifel”, “Quadricat”. They protect pets not only from panleukopenia, but also from calcivirosis, rhinotracheitis, chlamydia, and some types of vaccines prevent rabies.

Before vaccination, the animal must be dewormed. Adult animals are vaccinated once a year. Young kittens very often die from distemper, so they need to be vaccinated at the age of 6-8 weeks. Then the vaccination is repeated after 21-28 days. In the future, the animal must be vaccinated every year.

Can vaccinated cats get distemper? Such cases are extremely rare. Animals with severely weakened immune systems usually fall ill. But even if a vaccinated cat becomes infected with panleukopenia, her disease will proceed in a mild subacute form and end with a complete recovery.

How to protect your cat from infection

There are cases when two pets live in an apartment, and one of them develops symptoms of distemper in cats. How to save your second pet from infection? It is necessary to isolate the sick animal as soon as possible. After contact with an infected cat, you need to change clothes and wash your hands thoroughly so as not to transmit the virus through your hands and clothes to another pet. It is recommended that a healthy animal be injected with serum and subsequently vaccinated against panleukopenia.

If you decide to pick up a kitten from the street or adopt it from a shelter, and there is already a cat living in the apartment, then you need to keep the new pet in quarantine for about 2 weeks.

It often happens that a person’s cat died of distemper, and a short time later he brings a kitten into the house. This often ends with the new pet dying from panleukopenia. We must remember about the stability of parvovirus in the external environment. It can be stored on any surfaces of objects for up to 1 year. It is during this period that it is not recommended to get a new cat. Treating premises and things with disinfectant solutions does not always destroy the virus. It is better to wait the necessary time so as not to expose the animal to danger, and in the future you should vaccinate your new pet against distemper.

Distemper is a dangerous disease of viral etiology; veterinary specialists call it panleukopenia or viral enteritis. The disease develops rapidly, and if there is a delay in receiving qualified help, it ends in death for the animal. Understanding the danger distemper poses in cats, every owner of a furry pet should know the symptoms of this terrible disease so as not to miss the moment to seek help.

Read in this article

What is the danger of panleukopenia or viral enteritis?

Viral enteritis is a contagious disease that affects all members of the cat family. The disease is most often diagnosed in the spring and summer. The mortality rate among small kittens can reach 100%. The infectious agent does not pose a danger to humans.

The causative agent of plague is a DNA virus of the genus Pavoviridae. A feature of parvovirus is the high resistance of the viral particle to environmental factors.

The causative agent of panleukopenia can maintain its virulence for a year, which contributes to the widespread spread of the disease among animals.

The feline distemper virus is not afraid of most disinfectants, is resistant to sunlight for a long time, and is not susceptible to the action of many enzymes. The high resistance of the pathogen complicates preventive measures and the fight against infections.

The danger of the disease is due to several factors. First of all, panleukopenia is a highly contagious disease. Experts use this term to describe rapidly spreading acute infections. Viral enteritis is often widespread, causing big problems not only for breeders, but also for individual owners of domestic cats.

Feline distemper is dangerous due to its high mortality rate among sick animals. According to statistics from veterinary specialists, the fatal outcome in case of the disease is 90 - 92%. Young animals and pregnant females are especially susceptible to the panleukopenia virus.

Paths of infection with plague

Methods of infection with viral enteritis have been well studied by modern veterinary medicine. The source of this dangerous disease is sick cats, as well as virus carriers. The virus is released through saliva and excrement: urine, feces.

Routes of infection with parvovirus infection	a brief description of
Oral contact	The virus enters the animal's mouth through saliva. This most often occurs when eating infected food or drinking water contaminated with viral particles from a sick animal or virus carrier.
Airborne path	A healthy animal becomes infected when it is in the same room with a sick animal.
Contact method	Animal care items (bowls, cups, litter trays, toys, harnesses, etc.) retain the virus of a sick animal for a long time. Infection often occurs through shoes, clothing, and personal belongings of the owner who comes into contact with the virus-carrying animal. Another important question for owners is whether a cat can become infected with distemper from a dog. Especially in cases where a case of illness has already been identified in one of the pets living in the same area. Despite the consonance of the diagnoses, we are talking about two different diseases. The viruses that cause dangerous diseases in cats and dogs are completely different. That is why a dog sick with distemper is not a source of infection for a furry pet. Cats at risk The panleukopenia virus is common among almost all representatives of the cat family: leopards, tigers, cheetahs. Among domestic cats, distemper is one of the widespread viral diseases that pose a threat to the life of the animal. Veterinarians note that domestic cats at a young age of up to one year, as well as furry pets older than 6-8 years, are most susceptible to viral enteritis. The risk group primarily includes unvaccinated animals under 1 year of age. Young animals are predisposed to the disease due to their underdeveloped immunity, and older animals lose the ability to resist infections with age, and the immune properties of their body weaken. Panleukopenia is a dangerous disease for an adult pregnant cat, as well as small kittens. The chances of getting feline distemper increase in kittens after 2 weeks of age. This is due to the fact that the mother’s immunity has weakened, and the body’s own immune system is not enough to resist the dangerous virus. As for breed predisposition, British cats, Maine Coons, Persian and Siamese cats are most susceptible to feline distemper. Symptoms of plague infection The incubation period of distemper in cats is from 3 to 8 - 10 days. Having entered the body through one of the possible routes, the viral particle actively multiplies, infecting internal organs and the brain. Viral enteritis develops, as a rule, at lightning speed (superacute), acute and subacute. Lightning current The fulminant course of the disease is typical for young individuals. The disease develops within a few hours after the pathogen enters the pet’s body. This form of the disease in its clinical manifestation may resemble the symptoms of fatal rabies. Distemper in domestic cats in its hyperacute form often ends with damage to the nervous system. The animal experiences clonic-tonic convulsions, body tremors, and paralysis. A sick cat may become frightened and become nervous. Hyperacute lesion process With a hyperacute course of the disease, signs of weakness and apathy develop literally before our eyes. The sick animal refuses food and water, and develops a fear of light. The pet practically does not get up. Often clinical signs do not have time to develop, and the animal dies within a short time. Acute course of plague In the acute form of the disease, the incubation period is 1 - 2 days. This course of feline distemper is typical for adult animals. Sick individuals at the beginning of the disease refuse food and water, lie all the time, exhausted and apathetic. Following these signs, the owner observes green or yellow vomit, and as the pathological process develops, blood is also found in the vomit. In addition to vomiting, a sick animal develops diarrhea. The stool becomes light-colored, mixed with blood and mucus. The pet's stomach becomes painful and there is rumbling. The cat takes a tense position due to pain in the abdominal cavity. The animal quickly develops dehydration and intoxication. A lack of water in the body is indicated by dry and dull hair and a recessed third eyelid. In the acute form of the disease, the owner may notice a febrile state in the cat. A low temperature of 37 C suddenly changes to a high temperature of up to 41 C. When the temperature rises, pets look for cool places. Experiencing severe thirst, the animal, however, cannot drink water due to spasms of the muscles of the larynx. A sick cat also experiences lacrimation. Purple spots are observed along the animal’s body, prone to suppuration. In the acute course of the disease, sick individuals often experience wheezing, heavy breathing, and frequent coughing. The pet develops conjunctivitis, rhinitis, inflammation and swelling of the larynx. The cardiac system also reacts to the panleukopenia virus: tachycardia and signs of heart failure develop. By affecting the animal's blood leukocytes, a generalized infection affects the lymphatic system. A sick cat has inflammation of almost all lymph nodes. Subacute form of the disease In adult animals with strong immunity, panleukopenia often occurs in a subacute form. The incubation period in this case will last up to several weeks. Clinical signs of distemper in cats in this form are not as pronounced as in the acute stage of the disease. With a high level of the immune system, a complete recovery of the pet is possible. Diagnosis of the condition when detecting plague At the first signs indicating the infectious nature of the disease, the fluffy beauty should be immediately shown to a veterinary specialist. Along with your cat, you should bring your animal's passport with its vaccinations marked with you to the clinic. The diagnosis is established on the basis of anamnesis, examination, clinical and laboratory tests. First, your veterinarian will check the stool for viral particles. The study uses the polymerase chain reaction (PCR method). However, it should be borne in mind that a positive result can be obtained if the animal was vaccinated shortly before the disease. A characteristic sign of the development of panleukopenia is a sharp decrease in leukocytes in the pet’s blood. Therefore, a blood test is prescribed for a sick animal. A smear of discharge from a cat’s eyes for PCR diagnosis of panleukopenia A veterinarian will conduct a differential diagnosis, since the symptoms of viral enteritis are similar to pathologies such as feline leukemia, poisoning, and intestinal perforation. If the owner has the slightest suspicion that the cat is sick with distemper, the animal should be immediately shown to a veterinarian. Only if you urgently seek qualified help does your cat have a chance of recovery. Animal treatment Unfortunately, at the moment there is no specific drug aimed at destroying a specific parvovirus. In this regard, treatment of distemper in cats is symptomatic and aimed at alleviating the pet’s condition. First of all, the sick animal is prescribed infusion therapy to eliminate the phenomenon of dehydration. For this purpose, saline solutions, glucose solutions and Ringer-Locke solutions are used. These drugs, administered intravenously or subcutaneously, replenish fluid reserves in the body and normalize electrolyte balance. The number and frequency of administration of solutions is determined by the attending physician based on the severity of the disease. Veterinary specialists assign a special role in the treatment of panleukopenia to strengthening the immune system. The sick animal is prescribed a course of immunomodulators and vitamin preparations. Effective for viral infections are drugs such as fosprenil, gamavit, roncoleukin, glycopin, ribotan. Human immunoglobulin is often used, as well as interferon, thymogen, and anandin. Immunomodulators Vitamin A, which has a regenerative effect on the intestinal epithelium, is useful as a vitamin supplement for viral enteritis. Ascorbic acid will be useful for activating the immune system, as well as B vitamins for the nervous system of the body. Cardiac activity is supported by cordiamine and caffeine. If a secondary complication of the disease by a bacterial infection is suspected, the animal is given a course of antibacterial therapy. The choice of antimicrobial agent depends on the clinical picture in a particular case. Typically, these drugs are administered parenterally. If the disease is defeated, cats after distemper do not require any additional treatment or rehabilitation measures. About panleukopenia in cats, watch this video: Rules for caring for a cat during treatment The key to successful treatment of a cat with distemper is proper care of the animal. From the first hours of diagnosis, the furry pet should be placed in a separate warm and dry room without drafts. During treatment, the habitat should be shaded so that sunlight does not irritate the sick animal. The cat should be given warm boiled water. On the recommendation of the attending physician, you can give decoctions of medicinal herbs with anti-inflammatory effects as a drink or add ascorbic acid to the water. In the first days of illness, the animal is given warm meat broths. Then rice and buckwheat porridge are introduced into the menu. Gradually they begin to give low-fat cottage cheese, chicken, and lean beef. Feed should be in small portions 5 - 6 times a day. As the animal recovers, it is transferred to its usual diet. During treatment, as well as for 4 months after recovery, the pet should be kept isolated from other animals. For several months, even a clinically healthy animal is a potential source of infection for other members of the cat family. As a rule, the consequences of distemper in cats are not observed after the animal has fully recovered. This is due to the fact that the virus, localized in leukocytes and intestinal epithelium, is eliminated from the body, and damaged cells are quickly restored. As a rule, recovered individuals do not require further vaccination, as they acquire stable immunity to the panleukopenia virus. Prevention of distemper in cats To prevent serious and dangerous diseases, veterinary Experts recommend following the following rules and advice: Keep new animals in quarantine for two weeks. Feeding your pet a balanced, complete diet. Maintaining immunity at a high level. The most effective method of preventing panleukopenia is to vaccinate your cat against distemper. For these purposes, biological preparations such as Nobivak, Multifel, Quadrikat are used. The effectiveness of vaccination depends on proper deworming before vaccination and adherence to the antiviral prophylaxis schedule. Viral enteritis in domestic cats is a dangerous and severe infection. Every owner should know the symptoms of a rapidly developing disease. The timeliness of diagnosis and the correctness of the prescribed treatment allows you to give the animal a chance to live. If a cat has suffered from distemper, there are no serious health consequences for the animal. Individuals who overcome the disease acquire lifelong immunity to the virus.

It is better not to encounter a disease such as distemper in cats or panleukopenia in reality. The animal has a fever, diarrhea and vomiting appear, the heart, brain and respiratory organs fail - only 10 out of 100 sick cats have a chance to survive.

Which cats are at risk?

An adult pet (up to 6 years old) with a strong immune system is least at risk of contracting this highly contagious disease. An aging body loses its ability to resist diseases, including viral ones, which is why mustachioed children automatically fall into the risk zone between the ages of 6 and 8 years.

The second risk group consists of growing kittens in the age range from 2 to 12 months. If panleukopenia is diagnosed in a child, do not expect offspring: kittens will be born lifeless or the fetus will die in the womb (resolve, mummify, or be miscarried).

Since infection does not require close contact with the carrier of the dangerous virus, both a yard and an indoor cat can catch it.

The pathogen settles on the soil along with urine, feces and other physiological secretions of sick/recovered cats. A healthy animal becomes infected with distemper by drinking water from a common cup, walking on the grass where a sick cat roamed, or smelling its feces.

The virus has other ways of entering the body:

• intrauterine (from mother to fetus);
• through mother's milk;
• using flea bites;
• from an owner who came into contact with a sick animal and did not wash his hands;
• through objects touched by an infected animal.

It cannot be ruled out that the virus will be brought into the house along with the owner’s shoes and trousers, on which it can “catch” on the street.

What are the symptoms of distemper in a cat?

The main signs of infectious gastroenteritis or feline distemper will be:

• high (up to 41 degrees) temperature;
• refusal of water and food;
• sunken eyes;
• weakness;
• diarrhea and vomiting;
• dull coat;
• dry skin.

Cats lose interest in the world and try to hide in secluded corners. An animal suffering from a fever sits hunched over or lies on its stomach, stretching out its limbs and throwing its head back.

Excruciating spasms prevent a thirsty cat from drinking. The mucous membranes turn blue, she begins to breathe with her mouth open. Due to heart problems, a dry cough often appears. In feces, as in vomit, traces of blood are visible.

Often death occurs after the first hours of the disease.

Forms of the disease

Parvovirus with the long Latin name Virus panleukopenia feline (FPV) is to blame for the occurrence of feline distemper. It is distinguished by its amazing vitality, remaining unchanged in the external environment for up to one year.. It is the stability and long life of the pathogen that allows it to easily find new victims.

Important! Virus panleukopenia feline does not respond to changes in acidity from pH 3.0 to pH 9.0, does not decompose when heated for an hour to 60 ° C, can withstand frost, and is not susceptible to the effects of trypsin, pepsin, as well as chloroform and diethyl ether.

Like most viral infections, feline distemper can take one of three typical forms:

• super-sharp (lightning fast);
• spicy;
• I'll tweak it.

First, the pathogen penetrates the small intestine, bone marrow and lymphatic system, and a little later it occupies almost the entire body.

Lightning stage

It most often occurs in kittens under 12 months of age and is characterized by the following signs:

• lethargy and apathy;
• trembling limbs;
• reluctance to move;
• barely audible squeaking;
• unkempt (clumped) coat appearance;
• refusal to eat/drink;
• lack of reaction to his mother.

When the nervous system is damaged, symptoms similar to those of rabies are added to those listed: the pet is frightened by any extraneous sounds, it crawls into far secret corners, and is afraid of sunlight and light in general.

After a while, the symptoms are supplemented by vomit with yellow foam and loose stools (diarrhea) with a specific foul odor. In some cases, excrement is mixed with blood.

Acute stage

As a rule, cats with strong immune systems pass through it. In such animals, the disease manifests itself as follows:

• the temperature jumps to 41 degrees;
• interest in what is happening disappears;
• the cat lies down almost all the time;
• she is breathing heavily and refuses to eat;
• the cat vomits green/yellow foam, where later (after 36-48 hours) particles of blood are observed;
• watery diarrhea appears.

After some time, the temperature drops to 37 degrees: lower readings usually portend imminent death. Heart failure may develop. If the respiratory system is affected, the following symptoms are added:

• copious nasal discharge;
• watery eyes and redness of the eyes;
• audible wheezing in the chest;
• hot nose;
• cough;
• foci of inflammation on the epidermis, gradually filled with pus (rare).

The cat is very thirsty, but cannot drink due to spasms of the larynx and pain in the abdominal area.

Important! If treatment for infectious gastroenteritis does not begin on time, no more than a week passes from the first signs to the death of the sick cat. An animal that manages to survive retains its acquired immunity to feline distemper for several years.

Subacute stage

Taking into account the prognosis of recovery, this is the most favorable form of the viral disease, in which all the key markers of plague are noticeable, but with their manifestations noticeably smoothed out.

The most resistant animals, those who have been vaccinated or who have iron health by nature, pass through this form of the disease. With proper treatment, panleukopenia has minor consequences, and the four-legged animals quickly recover.

Diagnosis and treatment

The incubation period of feline distemper (regardless of its form) lasts from 2 to 10 days. But already in the first days of infection of an animal, a pathogen is detected in its feces, reaching peak values ​​on the third day.

Establishing diagnosis

At the clinic, you will need to tell the doctor all the noticed signs of cat illness, after which he will take the nasal secretions, blood and feces of the sick cat for laboratory tests.

One of the defining indicators will be a sharp decrease in the number of leukocytes (white blood cells). A blood test plus a virological test, coupled with general symptoms, will give the correct picture for making a diagnosis. The more accurate it is, the more effective the battle against the disease will be.

Therapy

A universal medicine to combat panleukopenia (due to the extreme survivability of the virus) has not yet been invented. Comprehensive measures help to cope with plague: firstly, the use of etiotropic drugs to destroy FPV, and, secondly, the use of medications that relieve the main symptoms.

Veterinarians often prefer fosprenyl (an antiviral agent), administered intramuscularly over two weeks.

Important! In the first days, the animal is required to receive at least 4 injections per day, but gradually their number is increased to 1 injection per day. The dose is calculated based on the patient’s weight: 0.2 ml is administered to a cat weighing up to 1 kg, 0.5 ml - for a cat weighing from 1 to 5 kg.

At the same time, once a day (for a week) the cat receives enterostat: 20 mg per 1 kg of weight.

Symptomatic therapy is designed to calm down all the debilitating manifestations of the disease. To combat dehydration, they rely on calcium chloride. Riger or rehydron help stop vomiting and cope with intoxication: sometimes the powders are diluted with glucose, also adding a little baking soda. During the day, the tailed patient is required to drink liquid at the rate of 50 ml/kg.

To remove accumulated toxins, they turn to traditional medicine, using diuretic plants, for example, lingonberry leaves, bearberry and horsetail, from which decoctions are prepared. Do not forget about vitamin supplements and drugs that replenish iron deficiency (ursoferran or ferrodextran).

To start metabolic processes, use catozal (at least 7 days). No-spa and dibazol are in demand to reduce pain and relieve spasms. To prevent secondary bacterial infection, antibiotics must be given throughout the full course of treatment.

Disinfection

It is carried out using javel water (sodium hypochlorite solution) and a UV lamp. You can also use formaldehyde gas and soda ash mixed in water (1 part soda to 20 parts water) to disinfect rooms, cat beds and bowls.

You cannot do without wet cleaning of the room where the sick animal lies (up to several times a day). Do not forget about regular ventilation, during which the patient is transferred to another room.

Create a comfortable air temperature in the recovery room and promptly remove vomit and feces. Make sure your cat is not exposed to direct sunlight. Rinse her eyes in a timely manner, removing purulent discharge with a swab dipped in medicinal liquid.

Diet

As soon as the pet’s appetite returns, he is prescribed a diet consisting of a small amount of carbohydrate food with a gradual increase in the protein component. On the first day, the cat is given a teaspoon of food, gradually increasing the portion (2 times every day).

• fermented milk products (yogurt, low-fat cottage cheese, kefir);
• low-fat meat broth + soaked white crackers;
• boiled chopped beef and fish fillet (not earlier than on the third day).

It is not prohibited to purchase ready-made dietary food designed for cats with digestive disorders. In the first days, cat food should be light (preferably pureed) and warm. The mustachioed dog needs to be fed more often than usual: 5-6 times a day.

Important! The list of prohibited foods includes any raw food, including vegetables, herbs and fruits. After final recovery, these products should not appear in the cat’s diet for at least a month (but preferably two).

This is an acute contagious disease caused by the feline panleukopenia virus, which belongs to the parvovirus family.

The infection gets its name from the fact that the number of leukocytes in the blood of a sick cat sharply decreases. The disease is dangerous for domestic cats and felines, but does not pose a danger to humans and other domestic animals.

Distemper affects kittens and old animals. Young animals rarely suffer from severe panleukopenia; as a rule, the disease is asymptomatic.

Kittens fed on the milk of a previously vaccinated cat have clostral immunity. Such babies are not susceptible to the pathogen.

Kittens that have not received immunity from their mother's milk are susceptible to distemper from the first day of life.

Old animals become susceptible to panleukopenia due to age-related decline in resistance.

Young cats can get distemper with the classic picture of the disease if they have a weak immune system or have recently suffered from another disease.

The mortality rate among kittens under one year of age is 90%.

Selection

The virus is eliminated from the body of a sick animal in the following ways:

• Through feces. The virus actively develops in the intestines and is excreted from the body along with the feces of a sick animal or virus carrier.
• Vomit. The causative agent of plague is released into the external environment along with the vomit of a sick animal or virus carrier.
• Saliva. The distemper virus can be released into the surrounding saliva along with saliva.
• Urine.

Routes of infection

Knowing how distemper is transmitted, you can avoid infecting your pet. The panleukopenia virus is extremely stable in the external environment and can persist in it for a long time. A cat becomes infected with distemper through the respiratory and digestive organs.

• Feed. If the food is contaminated with a virus. Contamination of food is possible when sick and healthy cats are fed together, or when particles of feces or vomit of a virus carrier get into the food.
• Water. If a sick animal drinks water from a bowl that a healthy cat then drinks from, it can infect it.
• Shoes and care items. The owner can bring the pathogen on his shoes from the street. When sniffing shoes, the animal can become infected.
• Sand. Contaminated with a virus.
• Direct contact. Direct contact of a virus carrier with a healthy pet can cause infection.
• Air. During the warm period of the year, the virus survives well in environmental conditions and can enter the room where the cat is kept through windows.

An animal that has never been outside or had contact with other animals can become infected with panleukopenia. That's why Even domestic cats need to be vaccinated.

Stages of the disease

The incubation period for distemper ranges from 2 to 14 days, its duration depends on the age of the animal and the body's resistance.

• Penetration of the virus into the body through the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth.
• Penetration of the virus into the blood and its spread in the body:
  • Intestines. The panleukopenia virus is epitheliotropic and spreads in the epithelial tissue of the intestine. Infection of the border epithelial cells by the virus leads to the development of enteritis. Next, the pathogen spreads to the thin section, where it penetrates the ciliated epithelium of the intestinal villi and destroys it. Damaged villi lose their ability to absorb nutrients, which leads to diarrhea.
  • Organs of the lymphatic system. The first on the path of the virus are the superficial lymph nodes, inflammation begins in them, the local temperature rises, they increase in size, harden, and become painful.
  • Spinal cord. Penetration into the brain leads to disruption of the differentiation of blast cells in it, which leads to a sharp decrease in the formation of leukocytes from blasts. As a result, leukocytopenia develops.
• Layering of secondary infection. The virus weakens the body and opens the gates to bacterial infection.
• If a cat becomes infected during pregnancy, she will abort. If abortion does not occur, the virus negatively affects the brain of the fetus. Kittens are born with severe pathologies of the cerebellum. Affected kittens can survive if treated correctly, but will suffer from limb tremors and signs of cerebellar underdevelopment throughout their lives.
• Release of the pathogen into the external environment. The virus carrier spreads it around himself through feces, vomit, saliva and urine.

Symptoms

The first signs of the disease are very vague, then the intensity of the clinical picture depends on the virulence of the pathogen, the form of the disease and the state of the cat’s immune system.

• Fluctuations in body temperature. In the first stages, the body begins to actively resist the virus, specific antibodies are produced, during this period the temperature rises to 41-42 degrees. Then the virus begins to infect the spinal cord, which leads to the cessation of antibody production, then the temperature returns to normal or drops below normal.
• Vomiting and diarrhea. Associated with damage to the gastrointestinal tract. When examining stool, you can see blood clots and whitish fibrin fibers in them.
• Refusal of food and water. The animal first stops taking food, and then water.
• Weakness, apathy. The animal is depressed and tries to minimize movement in order to feel better.
• Abdominal pain. When palpating the abdominal wall, the animal shows signs of pain; when pressed, you can feel the accumulation of gases in the intestines.

Kittens most often suffer from distemper in a super-acute form. Unvaccinated animals die within the first 24 hours; mortality among young animals reaches 90%.

In addition to the impact of the virus itself, a secondary bacterial infection affects the body of a cat with distemper. The clinical picture will depend on the type of pathogen. When the nasal mucosa is damaged, nasal discharge develops and the cat sneezes and coughs.

When the eyes become infected, gray, yellow or green discharge begins to appear. The penetration of bacteria through the intestines into the liver and pancreas causes the development of hepatitis or pancreatitis. In this case, yellowness of the mucous membranes and skin is observed.

Diagnosis

Treatment at home

Panleukopenia belongs to the group of dangerous diseases, so treatment at home may be ineffective and the animal will die. It is recommended to contact a veterinarian for examination and treatment.

• We fight the symptoms of the disease. Clinical manifestations cause the death of the animal; to prevent this from happening, the symptoms must be eliminated.
  • Fight dehydration and exhaustion. With vomiting and diarrhea, a large amount of fluid is lost, as a result of which the animal can die from dehydration after a few days. To replenish lost fluid, the cat is given drips with electrolyte solutions and glucose.
  • Antiemetics. To prevent the development of dehydration.
  • Stop bleeding. Hemostatic drugs are used to stop intestinal bleeding.
  • Special diet. Heavy foods can cause additional damage to the intestinal villi, so food should be simple and easily digestible.
• Maintaining the body. To do this, you can use immunostimulants and immunomodulators that will help the body fight infection.
• Fighting the panleukopenia virus. To do this, the cat is given specific antiviral drugs.
• Fighting bacterial infection. Antibiotics are used to fight bacteria; they have no effect on the plague causative agent, but allow the destruction of secondary infection.
• Hygiene. The room where the sick pet is located should be regularly ventilated and disinfected. When kept together, sick animals should be isolated from healthy ones.

Prevention

The best way to prevent feline panleukopenia is vaccination. The vaccine contains an attenuated virus, the introduction of which stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies to it. When vaccinated, the animal does not become ill with distemper, but only encounters the antigen of the pathogen. When encountering a live virus, the immune system will have the necessary antibody titer to successfully fight the disease.

There are many types of vaccines. How much a vaccination costs depends on the quality and manufacturer of the vaccine.

Many owners of domestic cats are familiar with the word “distemper” and are afraid of this disease in cats. This is truly a very dangerous viral disease, so everyone should know the symptoms and treatment of distemper in cats at home.

Symptoms

If an animal is infected with distemper, it becomes clear very quickly. This disease has a number of specific symptoms that every cat owner should learn to recognize.

What is plague

In veterinary medicine there is the term “panleukopenia”, but most often this word is replaced by a popular synonym - distemper. This is an acute viral disease that affects all organs and systems. It is difficult to get sick at home, but if your pet goes outside, he is at risk.

The virus enters the blood and immediately begins its destructive effect. The digestive system is always the first to suffer. The virus then spreads and damages the lungs, heart and blood vessels. Then other systems and organs suffer, including the nervous system and skin.

Methods of infection penetration

The easiest way to catch distemper is from other cats, but sometimes the virus enters the body through non-living objects that have been touched by recently ill or sick animals. Most often, the virus enters the body through the feces of carriers that your pet may encounter on the street.

Humans and animals of other species will not become infected, since this virus is species specific, that is, it only affects cats.

Forms of plague

Diagnosis of plague is carried out in the laboratory, but the disease can also be identified by its characteristic symptoms. Distemper is divided into three forms.

• Lightning fast (super acute). Signs of distemper in kittens in most cases are attributed to the fulminant form of infection. It progresses very quickly, 8 out of 10 kittens die within a week.
• Spicy. Adult cats are susceptible to it. Animals from 6 years of age are at risk, when the immune system begins to work worse.
• Subacute. The vaccination given to prevent distemper does not always work. But if the virus enters the body of a cat that has undergone antiviral vaccination, the disease passes easily. With this form of the disease, a cat can get distemper at home.

Main symptoms

Signs of infection are easy to notice, as the virus is very aggressive and attacks all types of cells. Diagnosis of the disease is not difficult. The following symptoms appear:

1. uncontrollable vomiting, vomit is yellow, green, often with foam;
2. liquid feces always accompanies this disease, stools have a green tint and are watery;
3. general weakness, fatigue, apathy;
4. the animal stops eating and drinking;
5. cats often lie by a bowl of water, but cannot drink due to spasms in the throat;
6. when the cardiovascular system is affected, tachycardia begins (rapid, irregular heartbeat);
7. after a few days, due to the weakness of the blood vessels, blood is visible in the stool and vomit;
8. the skin is fragile, wounds appear on it, in which pus is visible after some time;
9. enlarged lymph nodes;
10. the cat may become cowardly, the fur becomes sticky and wet;
11. mucus flows profusely from the eyes and nose.

If an animal is infected with distemper, it becomes inactive and lies around a lot. Dehydration is one of the symptoms of plague. If the cells of the nervous system are affected, the pet's behavior may resemble rabies: it hides from light, is frightened by any sounds, hides and reacts aggressively to stimuli.

Treatment

Treatment of distemper in cats should be carried out under the close supervision of a veterinarian. If possible, contact a doctor who can competently draw up a treatment program for your pet. There is no cure for this disease, so treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms, preventing the virus from entering tissues, stimulating the immune system and directing it not to fight the virus.

Cats have a much stronger immune system than humans, so in half the cases they can overcome the infection. The virus lives in the body for some time, but no longer causes harm.

But it often happens that there is no way to see a veterinarian. Not all localities have clinics and not all the necessary medications are available. Then you have to help the pet yourself and treat distemper in cats at home.

Vodka as a remedy against plague at home

There is no cure for distemper in cats, so often any means that in theory can work is used. This method of treatment really does not seem to be the most reliable and will raise doubts among skeptics, but practice shows that the method is effective. It often even happened that vodka helped cure a pet even in hopeless cases.

If the owner notices the onset of the disease on time, then you can try treatment at home. Usually the following mixture is prepared: 20 grams of regular vodka is mixed with one fresh egg yolk. The resulting medicine is given to the sick animal 2 times a day. Treatment of plague with vodka, as a rule, has a positive effect within a day of use.

This method is applicable at home only if the disease has not reached an acute stage and has not had time to spread throughout the body. During treatment, the cat should be given plenty of saline solutions to prevent dehydration. In severe cases, the veterinarian prescribes IV drips to save your pet’s life and relieve intoxication.

Caring for a sick animal

Your pet has every chance to overcome the disease, if you follow all the doctor’s recommendations and provide the animal with proper care:

• The tray of a sick animal must be kept clean.
• Daily eye and ear care is required.
• Avoid drafts in the room with a sick animal. During illness, a cat's immunity is reduced; under these conditions, hypothermia can cause re-infection. In this case, the room must be ventilated.
• Feeding is carried out at the request of the pet in small portions.

The most effective way to prevent the disease is to vaccinate your pet. An adult cat is vaccinated annually. The kitten is initially vaccinated twice a year, followed by annual booster vaccinations.