Feline Panleukopenia virus is an infection that is still considered to be extremely dangerous.
This is especially true in large Metropolitan areas like New York City where hundreds of thousands cats live or rural areas where stray cats may roam freely.
This virus has been historically referred to as the “Cat Plague” or Cats distemper disease as it has killed entire cat populations.
Panleukopenia virus is considered by science as one of the hardest diseases to understand, as is almost exactly like Parvo virus in dogs.
Even though there are very effective vaccinations available today, if not followed properly, your cat is still at a tremendous risk.
This virus is caught by your cat from other cats, especially kittens.
It can also be spread unknowingly by you, as it can be carried on your shoes, clothing, or other such items as it can set and lay dormant for up to two years.
For your cat to come into contact with Feline Panleukopenia virus they may never leave their own home, come in contact with other kittens or cats, but still be exposed by you.
How?
Cats catch this virus by the infestation, or swallowing, of the infected virus particles.
This virus can virtually lie dormant for up to two years on a surface.
Your kitten or cat may come into contact by you spreading the virus by accidentally stepping in infected area if you live in a large city where an infected cat has defecated.
Or by simply sniffing it on your shoes, your cat can become infected.
Treatment of this virus will include Vitamins B, Vitamin C, and Vitamin A given in specific amounts by your veterinarian as well as antibiotics to help fight any secondary infections.
It would only seem logical than, that supplementing them as kittens and continuing that process as well as vaccinations, to help build their immune system to fight virus. is something all cat lovers should consider.
Vitamin C emulates the immune system itself, as it reaches into every cell of your cat’s body.
Your cat’s immune system will benefit tremendously with Vitamin C supplementation as this nutrient plays a major function of the immune system.
The body, ours and our dogs, will only lose this vitamin B-class Vitamins that are mandatory to the immune system to function properly, by elimination through feces.
Because of this it is extremely important that it is built up prior to pronounced forms of diarrhea.
This water-soluble vitamin class must be reintroduced with supplementation, or in the case of a treatment stage after the fact, via intravenously feeding.
Vitamin A plays an important role in cell division and differentiation and helps to maintain the lining of your intestinal tract, something that this virus will attack directly in your cat.
This valuable vitamin also helps prevent bacteria and viruses from entering the body by maintaining skin and mucous membranes.
Feline Panleukopenia virus will affect three major body systems in your cat, and the system it affects will depend on the age of you cat at the time of the infection.
There three areas include: The blood and lymphatic system, the gastrointestinal system, and the nervous system.
In the Blood and lymphatic system, feline panleukopenia virus attacks and destroys white blood cells in your cat.
This is a very dangerous situation for your cat, as with the loss of white blood cells; your cat will lose the battle to fight off the infection.
This loss of white blood cells will start usually three days after being infected. All cats and kittens, regardless of age, are affected with this loss.
The second system affected, the gastrointestinal system, occurs when this virus attacks the growing cells that line most of your cats intestines.
This can be a very frightening system attack for you as owner, and for your cat. This virus can replicate itself faster than your cats cells can multiply.
Once your pet is affected, especially if it is a kitten or if the case is severe, death can occur so rapidly that it appears that a healthy cat has died for no apparent reason.
This disease and virus should not be taken lightly by any cat owner, as it is still a very serious threat.
The systems your cat will show with this stage are a sudden fever and complete loss of appetite for about 24 hours.
The temperature will return to normal, but that your cat will experience a severe depression, vomiting, diarrhea, and a rapid dehydration.
If your cat or kitten lies with its head dropped between its legs and belly to the floor, you should immediately get this pet to the veterinarian.
They are in severe pain.
If your pet survives the first 48 hours, it has a very, very good chance of surviving.
The last system that may be affected with feline panleukopenia virus is the nervous system.
If your cat is pregnant and infected, it may affect the litter as well, depending on the stage of pregnancy.
If your kittens do survive, birth the mother and the kittens may experience difficulty in walking, turning as well as keeping their balance.
They may also twitch frequently, as well as have very little or no mobility.
If they do survive, they may at times experience some, if not all of these symptoms, throughout their lives.
The severity of the systems with feline panleukopenia virus will depend on the age of your cat, the amount of virus they came in contact with, and if you pet has any other infections or bacteria in their system.
SUMMARY
However, the overall health of the infected cat is the all important factor. The healthier the cat and the cat’s immune system, the chances of survival are much, much better.
If previously vaccinated properly, your cat has a tremendous survival potential.
If any cat or kitten survives feline panleukopenia virus, it is immune for life.
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