Feline Panleukopenia Infections : Treatment and Control in Nepal

Abstract

Feline panleukopenia is a fatal and contagious viral disease caused by the family of Parvoviridae. Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) is synonymously called as feline distemper and feline Parvo. FPV infects all felids, raccoons, mink and foxes. FPV infected animals generally have compromised health conditions. Cats of all ages are mostly affected by FPV, but kittens are highly susceptible with higher mortality. The virus is resistant to many disinfectants and normally survives in the environment for several months. Transmission occurs through direct contact of faeces contaminated feeds as well as by indirect contact of fomites, and through intrauterine route. Clinical symptoms include vomition, diarrhoea, lymphopenia and neutropenia, followed by thrombocytopenia and anaemia, immunosuppression, cerebellar ataxia and abortion. Commercially available test kits are used to detect FPV antigen in faeces. Fluid therapy, antibiotics, metronidazole, supportive therapy, and good nursing care are the common treatment practice in Central Referral Veterinary Hospital (CRVH), Nepal. The disease can be controlled by isolation of infected cats, routine vaccination and disinfection of premises. The higher incidence in Nepal is due to lack of vaccination practice against FPV. Disinfectants containing sodium hypochlorite (bleach), potassium peroxymonosulfate and accelerated hydrogen peroxide are found effective. The aim of this paper is to review the current status of the disease, epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and control measures for prevention and management of feline panleukopenia infections in developing countries like Nepal.