Infectious Diseases of Cats

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

 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 certain chemotherapy drugs

 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 all cats with FeLV, and causes tumors and other abnormal tissue growth FeLV-C - occurs in about 1% of FeLVinfected cats and causes severe anemia

Prevention
Vaccination
does not guarantee absolute protection

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

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

Virus decreases the immune system's ability to fight off diseases

Saliva, through open wound

Loss of appetite, Infections of the skin, bladder, and upper respiratory tract, diarrhea, severe wasting, nervous signs

Treatment and Control

No vaccine is available to prevent FIV Antibiotics and antifungal drugs Supportive care AZT (azidothymidine )

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

Two forms
Wet or effusive type most common form with signs like fever, sneezing, watery eyes, nasal discharge, depression, or loss of appetite Progresses into weight loss and fluid in the abdomen (PERITONITIS) Fluid accumulation in the chest results in difficulty breathing

 Dry or noneffusive type less common with a much slower onset than the wet form fever, weight loss, anemia, and depression, with minimal fluid accumulation hard masses may form in the chest or abdomen eyes become cloudy or the pupil becomes an abnormal shape

Treatment and Control

The only treatment available is supportive FIP is highly fatal, but with good care, love, and attention infected animals can remain comfortable and happy for some 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

Experimental Treatment
Immune suppression FIP is a disease created by the cats own immune system. Immunosuppressive drugs such as PREDNISONE and CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE have been used to slow the progression of FIP. Removing the effusion Suction of effusion will ease the difficulty breathing of a cat with fluid in its chest and belly Antiviral Drugs Ribavarin

FELINE PANLEUKOPENIA
Parvovirus
Feline distemper, infectious enteritis, cat fever, and feline agranulocytosis Very contagious and can be found anywhere there is a cat population Primarily affects young kittens but has been known to affect older cats Lowers the animals immune defenses by severely depressing all white blood cell production

 Direct contact, fomites, feces, and urine Virus survives in the environment up to a year and most chemicals cannot kill the virus

Fever, inappetence, vomiting, dehydration The virus spreads to the bone marrow leukopenia bloody, liquid stool due to the severe hemorrhaging in the small intestine

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

Rabies in Cats
Rhabdovirus

Bite of a rabid animal

Irritability, aggressiveness, and paralysis

Depressed and withdrawn, hoarse Treatment: voice antiserum + vaccination

Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis

Herpesvirus
Not fatal but creates a lifelong problems with upper respiratory disorders

Inhalation, direct contact

Coughing, sneezing, discharge from the nares, fever and poor appetite may plague the cat all its life Chronic tearing (epiphora) and crusty eye discharge Corneal ulceration

Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention

Diagnosis
Cx, immunofluorescence, viral isolation

Treatment
No specific treatment Antibiotics prevent secondary infection

Prevention
Vaccination

Feline Calicivirus Infection

Highly contagious upper respiratory virus Moderate fever, poor appetite and ulceration of the tongue, mouth and lips Weight loss and lethargy Polyarthritis (immune complex) Treatment Not specific Antibiotics, corticosteroid

Feline Chlamydiosis
Chlamydia psittaci

Feline pneumonitis 5 weeks to 9 months old Part of feline URTI complex (FVR, calicivirus)
Direct contact, contact with eye, mouth and nasal discharges Sneezing, ocular discharge, nasal drainage, sneezing, tearing and salivation and coughing

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis
Bacterial culture of swab samples IFA

Treatment
Tetracycline eye ointment

Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasma gondii Felids (wild and domestic) are definitive hosts

Coccidian parasite

3 infectious stages of T gondii:

1. Tachyzoites (rapidly multiplying form) 2. Bradyzoites (tissue cyst form) 3. Sporozoites (in oocysts)

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

 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

Diagnosis
Biologic, serologic, or histologic methods CSF and aqueous humor for presence of tachyzoites or anti- T gondii antibodies Tachyzoites may be seen in tissue impression smears

Treatment
Sulfadiazine (15-25 mg/kg) and pyrimethamine (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

Hemobartonellosis
Hemobartonella felis RBC parasite

Immune system destroys RBCs Feline Infectious Anemia

Bite wounds, in-utero, milk, flea bites

 Loss of appetite, fever, lethargy, depression, and pale mouth and gums Weight loss, vomiting, dehydration, and difficulty in breathing Infection is life-long

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis
Examination of blood smear

Treatment
Tetracycline Prednisone Blood transfusion Oxygenation

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

 Typical skin lesions are discrete, roughly circular, 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

INTESTINAL PARASITES
Most common are roundworms and tapeworms. Protozoal intestinal parasites: Giardia commonly cause loose, gassy stool and abdominal cramping, especially in young kittens Coccidia are common in stressed kittens or those with improper diets Loose, tan stools

Ascarid egg

Whipworm egg

Hookworm egg

Tapeworm egg packet

CUTANEOUS PARASITES
EAR MITES: Otodectes cyanotis "coffee grounds" appearance to the dark material in the cat's ear canal area Itchiness, head shaking TICKS FLEAS SCABIES: Scabies mites and Demodex mites are very rare on cats CHEYLETIELLA small skin parasites that create flaky, dandruff-like scales and cause irritation

Normal values in cats (Felis catus)

Normal Range Weight, adult males: Weight, adult females: Birth weight: Estrus cycle: Gestation range, days Litter size: 3-7 kg 3-4 kg 110g 20 14 days (anovular) 65.5 1.7 3-6 (range 1-10)

Weaning age, weeks:

Breeding life of female: Breeding life of male: Breathing rate/minute:

4-7
4-5 years 5-7 years 20-40

Life expectancy
Heart beats/minute Body temperature:

9-14 years
100 - 120) kitten (130 - 180) 100.5-102.5o F (38.1o C -39.2o C)

Recommended space requirement

Recommended room temperature

<4 kg - (3 ft x 24 in. H) or >4 kg - (=4 ft x 24 in. H)

64-84o F

Recommended room humidity

Litter/Bedding type Feed consumption (average): Water consumption: Kittens begin on dry feed:

30-70%
treated corn cob, beet pulp, wood shavings or commercial product ounce Dry Dog Chow per 1 pound of body weight 50-70 ml/kg 4-6 weeks

FELINE Vaccination Protocol

Neonates*

Kitten Series

Last Kitten Booster 12-13 weeks

First Adult Booster 15 months

Adult Boosters

Vaccines Feline Viral Rhinotrac heitis (FVR) Panleukop enia (FPV) Feline Calicivirus Rabies Virus Feline Leukemia (FeLV) (optional)

2-4 weeks

6-8 weeks

10-12 weeks

Annually

Every 3 years

Deworming Guidelines Deworming history of newly acquired kittens should be obtained to determine whether additional deworming is needed. Kittens Nursing Dams Begin treatment at 6 weeks of age; repeat at 8 and 10 weeks of age.

Treat concurrently with kittens.

Treat regularly for prevention. Also monitor and eliminate parasites in pet's environment. Worm immediately; repeat in 2 weeks, then follow above recommendations.

Adult Cats

Newly Acquired Animals