Infectious Diseases of Cats

7/27/2019 Infectious Diseases of Cats

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Infectious Diseases of Cats


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Feline Leukemia Virus Infection

Retrovirus, Feline Leukemia Virus

Saliva of infected cats, tears,

urine, or feces

Anemia, jaundice, depression, weight loss,

decreased appetite

Diarrhea or constipation, bloody stool,

excessive drinking and urination Reproductive disorders: abortion and

infertility

Cancers, kidney disease, liver disease, and

neurological disorders


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Friendly cat disease

Virus becomes part of the host's genetic

material = life long Compromises the immune system

Temporary remissions may be achieved

by using antiviral drugs or by using certainchemotherapy drugs


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Three main types of feline leukemia virus:FeLV-A - present in all cats with FeLV

and causes immune suppression

FeLV-B - present in around half of allcats with FeLV, and causes tumors and other

abnormal tissue growth

FeLV-C - occurs in about 1% of FeLV-infected cats and causes severe anemia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Feline_leukemia_virus.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Feline_leukemia_virus.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Feline_leukemia_virus.JPG


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Prevention

Vaccination

does not guarantee

absolute protection


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Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Virus decreases the immune system'sability to fight off diseases

Loss of appetite, Infections of the skin,bladder, and upper respiratory tract,

diarrhea, severe wasting, nervous signs

Lentivirus

five FIV subtypes: A, B, C, D, and E

Saliva, through open wound


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Treatment and Control

No vaccine is

available to prevent

FIV

Antibiotics andantifungal drugs

Supportive care

AZT (azidothymidine )


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Feline Infectious Peritonitis

FIP, coronavirus a mutant of Feline Enteric Coronavirus

< 3 years and > 10 years of age, in poor physical

condition, or in stressed situations

Ingestion, inhalation, and contact

with infected feces and urine,vertical transmission


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Two forms

Wet or effusive type

most common form with signs likefever, sneezing, watery eyes, nasaldischarge, depression, or loss of

appetite Progresses into weight loss and fluid

in the abdomen (PERITONITIS)

Fluid accumulation in the chestresults in difficulty breathing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:FIPCytology2.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:FIPFluid.jpg


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Dry or noneffusive type less common with a much

slower onset than the wetform

fever, weight loss,anemia, and depression,with minimal fluidaccumulation

hard masses may form in

the chest or abdomen eyes become cloudy or

the pupil becomes anabnormal shape


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Treatment and Control

The only treatment available is supportive

FIP is highly fatal, but with good care, love, and attentioninfected animals can remain comfortable and happy forsome time

FIP virus lasts in the environment for up to 6 or 7 weeks

Easily killed with disinfectants

Bring new cat 6 or 7 weeks after control of FIP


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Experimental Treatment

Immune suppressionFIP is a disease created by the cats own immunesystem. Immunosuppressive drugs such asPREDNISONE and CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE have been

used to slow the progression of FIP.

Removing the effusionSuction of effusion will ease the difficulty breathing of acat with fluid in its chest and belly

Antiviral DrugsRibavarin


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FELINE PANLEUKOPENIA

Feline distemper, infectious enteritis, cat fever,and feline agranulocytosis

Very contagious and can be found anywherethere is a cat population

Primarily affects young kittens but has beenknown to affect older cats

Lowers the animals immune defenses byseverely depressing all white blood cellproduction

Parvovirus


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Direct contact, fomites, feces, and urine

Virus survives in the environment up to a year and mostchemicals cannot kill the virus

Fever,inappetence, vomiting, dehydration

The virus spreads to the bone marrowleukopenia bloody, liquid stool due to the severe hemorrhaging in

the small intestine


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Treatment

There is no cure for the disease

IV fluids, and plenty of rest to boost its energy

Older cat = boost immune system

Young cat = supportive care


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Rabies in Cats

Rhabdovirus

Bite of a rabid animal

Irritability, aggressiveness, and

paralysis

Depressed and withdrawn, hoarse

voice

Treatment:

antiserum + vaccination


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Not fatal but creates a life-long problems with upperrespiratory disorders

Coughing, sneezing,discharge from the nares,fever and poor appetite mayplague the cat all its life

Chronic tearing (epiphora)

and crusty eye discharge Corneal ulceration

Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis

Herpesvirus

Inhalation,

direct contact
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Katzenschnupfen_Herpes.jpg


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Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention

Diagnosis

Cx, immunofluorescence, viral isolation

Treatment

No specific treatment

Antibiotics prevent secondary infection

Prevention

Vaccination


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Treatment

Not specific

Antibiotics, corticosteroid

Feline Calicivirus Infection

Highly contagious upper

respiratory virus

Moderate fever, poor

appetite and ulceration ofthe tongue, mouth and lips

Weight loss and lethargy

Polyarthritis (immune complex)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Katzenschnupfen_Calici.jpg


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Feline Chlamydiosis

Feline pneumonitis

5 weeks to 9 months old Part of feline URTI complex(FVR, calicivirus)

Chlamydia psittaci

Direct contact, contact

with eye, mouth and nasaldischarges

Sneezing, ocular discharge, nasal

drainage, sneezing, tearing and

salivation and coughing


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Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis

Bacterial culture of swab samples

IFA

Treatment

Tetracycline eye ointment


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Toxoplasmosis

Coccidian parasite

3 infectious stages ofTgond i i :1. Tachyzoites (rapidly multiplying

form)

2. Bradyzoites (tissue cyst form)

3. Sporozoites (in oocysts)

Toxoplasma gondiiFelids (wild and domestic)

are definitive hosts
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Coccidia.JPG


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1. Consumption of infectious oocysts in cat

feces

2. Consumption of tissue cysts in infected

meat

3. Transplacental transfer of tachyzoites

from mother to fetus


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Depends on the # of tachyzoites released

(tissue damage) ,ability of immune system

to control tachyzoites and organs

damaged

Fever, diarrhea, cough, dyspnea, icterus,

seizures, and death

Abortion and stillbirth

Multiple organ necrosis in fetus


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Diagnosis

Biologic, serologic, or histologic methods

CSF and aqueous humor for presence of

tachyzoites or anti- Tgondiiantibodies

Tachyzoites may be seen in tissue impression

smears


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Treatment

Sulfadiazine (15-25 mg/kg) andpyrimethamine (0.44 mg/kg)

Acute stage

Active multiplication

Ineffective against bradyzoite

Diaminodiphenylsulfone, atovaquone, and

spiramycin Clindamycin is the treatment of choice for

dogs (10-40 mg/kg) and cats (25-50 mg/kg)

for 14-21 days


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Hemobartonellosis

Immune system destroys RBCs FelineInfectious Anemia

Hemobartonella felis

RBC parasite

Bite wounds, in-utero, milk,

flea bites
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Loss of appetite, fever, lethargy,

depression, and pale mouth and

gums Weight loss, vomiting, dehydration,

and difficulty in breathing

Infection is life-long


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Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis

Examination of blood smear

Treatment

Tetracycline

Prednisone

Blood transfusion

Oxygenation


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DERMATOPHYTE INFECTION

RINGWORM

Microsporum canis

Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum

persicolor = contact with infected wild rodents

Direct contact or exposure to contaminated

grooming tools, clippers or bedding


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Typical skin lesions are discrete, roughlycircular, non-itchy, areas of hair loss

head

ears

extremities of the paws

Broken hairs near lesions

Scaly and inflamed skin

TREATMENT:

Topical and oral antifungals


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INTESTINAL PARASITES

Most common areroundworms and tapeworms.

Protozoal intestinal parasites:

Giardia commonly causeloose, gassy stool andabdominal cramping,especially in young kittens

Coccidia are common instressed kittens or those withimproper diets

Loose, tan stools
http://www.thepetcenter.com/exa/ascarids_2.jpg


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Ascarid egg Whipworm egg

Hookworm egg Tapeworm egg packet


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CUTANEOUS PARASITES

EAR MITES: Otodectes cyanotis

"coffee grounds" appearanceto the dark material in thecat's ear canal area

Itchiness, head shaking

TICKS

FLEAS

SCABIES: Scabies mites and

Demodex mites are very rare oncats

CHEYLETIELLA

small skin parasites thatcreate flaky, dandruff-like

scales and cause irritation
http://www.thepetcenter.com/exa/mites.htmlhttp://www.thepetcenter.com/exa/dem.htmlhttp://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/em_CatEar_Big.jpghttp://www.thepetcenter.com/exa/dem.htmlhttp://www.thepetcenter.com/exa/mites.html


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Normal values in cats (Felis catus)

Normal Range

Weight, adult males: 3-7 kg

Weight, adult females: 3-4 kg

Birth weight: 110g 20

Estrus cycle: 14 days (anovular)

Gestation range, days 65.5 1.7

Litter size: 3-6 (range 1-10)

Weaning age, weeks: 4 - 7

Breeding life of female: 4-5 years

Breeding life of male: 5-7 years

Breathing rate/minute: 20-40


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Life expectancy 9-14 years

Heart beats/minute 100 - 120) kitten (130 - 180)

Body temperature: 100.5-102.5o F (38.1o C -39.2o C)

Recommended space

requirement

4 kg - (=4 ft x 24

in. H)

Recommended room

temperature

64-84o F

Recommended room

humidity30-70%

Litter/Bedding typetreated corn cob, beet pulp, wood shavings or

commercial product

Feed consumption

(average):

ounce Dry Dog Chow per 1 pound of body

weight

Water consumption: 50-70 ml/kg

Kittens begin on dry

feed:4-6 weeks


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FELINE

Vaccination

ProtocolNeonates* Kitten Series

Last

Kitten

Booster

First

Adult

Booster

Adult Boosters

Vaccines 2-4 weeks 6-8weeks

10-12weeks

12-13weeks

15 months Annually Every 3years

Feline

Viral

Rhinotrac

heitis (FVR)

Panleukop

enia (FPV)

Feline

Calicivirus

Rabies

Virus # #

Feline

Leukemia(FeLV)

(optional)


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Deworming Guidelines

Deworming history of newly acquired kittens should beobtained to determine whether additional deworming is

needed.

Kittens

Begin treatment at 6 weeks of

age; repeat at 8 and 10

weeks of age.

Nursing DamsTreat concurrently with

kittens.

Adult Cats

Treat regularly for prevention.

Also monitor and eliminate

parasites in pet'senvironment.

Newly Acquired Animals

Worm immediately; repeat in

2 weeks, then follow above

recommendations.

Documents

Infectious Diseases of Cats