Cat Ailments A to Z - Distemper

To confuse everyone..
Distemper is FPV - Feline Panleukopenia Virus
Parvovirus is the initiating cause of FPV
Parvovirus is also known as Feline Infectious Enteritis & Feline Panleukopenia Virus, which is Distemper

So - Parvovirus, FPV, and FIE for my sanity...and yours... will today be known as DISTEMPER

Distemper is a highly contagious and life-threatening viral disease in the cat population. This virus affects the rapidly dividing blood cells in the body, primarily the cells in the intestinal tract, bone marrow, and in the stem cells of the developing fetus. Because the blood cells are under attack, this virus can lead to an anemic condition, and it can open the body to infections from other illnesses – viral or bacterial
-PetMD


Distemper in pregnant queens may result in abortion, or other ways in which the pregnancy does not produce live kittens.
If the kittens are born alive, they usually have Cerebellar Hypoplasmia and/or Retinal Dysplasia.
If the mother has passed on the infection to the kittens later in her gestation, the kittens may well be born alive.
These kittens have a very high change of being born with Ataxia, this could also appear up to two weeks old.
This would remain for their lives.
There is also a possibility of brain damage or abnormalities of the retina.

Well all of that sounds horrible!!!

Feline panleukopenia infection in pregnant queens may result in abortion, foetal resorption, foetal mummification, and other reproductive problems. If foetuses are born alive, they usually have cerebellar hypoplasmia and/or retinal dysplasia. If the mother has passed on the infection to the kittens later in her gestation, the kittens may well be born alive. They may appear well at birth or signs of ataxia (loss of coordination/clumsy motion) appear around 2 weeks.

Kittens who survive may have ataxia for the rest of their life. They may also have abnormalities of the retina.  Kittens may be severely brain damaged.

- See more at: http://www.cat-world.com.au/feline-panleukopenia-virus#sthash.KSaHxwKv.dpuf

Feline panleukopenia infection in pregnant queens may result in abortion, foetal resorption, foetal mummification, and other reproductive problems. If foetuses are born alive, they usually have cerebellar hypoplasmia and/or retinal dysplasia. If the mother has passed on the infection to the kittens later in her gestation, the kittens may well be born alive. They may appear well at birth or signs of ataxia (loss of coordination/clumsy motion) appear around 2 weeks. - See more at: http://www.cat-world.com.au/feline-panleukopenia-virus#sthash.KSaHxwKv.dpuf

Once a cat survives a bout of distemper they become immune to it. 

Yay!

But getting it can kill them.

Boo!

But there is a vaccination for it!

Yay!

Not all cats are vaccinated in time.

Boo!

Generally adult cats fare well.

Yay!

Kittens not so much.

Boo!

But kittens basically have immunity for the first eleven weeks of life.
Yay!
(Not including kittens who have been born from a mother with distemper)

But they are highly vulnerable between the 11 to 16 week period.

Is there any just good points?????

Other than immunity? Nope..

 Immunity

An easy way to think about this is to consider Chicken Pox
Once you have had Chicken Pox you, 99% of the time can never get it again!
1%  of the time I blame aliens.

Same goes for Cats in regards to Distemper
Including the 1%
Odd 1% but like I said..

Though the cat becomes immune - the environment does not.
From what I have read, this virus can live in an environment anywhere from a year to three.
Resilient jackass!

• It survives well in lower temperatures  
• Is not killed by many of the common disinfectants. 
• Clean surfaces  with a bleach solution of 1/2 cup of bleach to a gallon of water
• Allow it to sit for 10 minutes and it will inactivate the virus. 

Pet Education

Vaccinating has decreased the prevalence of this once very wide spread virus.

Vaccinations - there are differing beliefs on when and how many vaccinations a cat should get.
There are core vaccines, which all kittens should get if they happen to have a family to do so.

I am not a Dr, nor do I play one on the internets...but if a vaccination has the ability to actually prevent something then I am all for it.
Now saying that... included in the vaccinations are vaccines you may not believe are as important. This is where you get your vet to explain the important... because I believe other than Rabies - the rest are your choice? I am doubting myself on that.. there may be a few others that are mandatory.

What physically are the Signs of Distemper?

 

The symptoms of panleukopenia can be similar to those seen in dogs with parvo or canine distemper 

The incubation period (time from exposure to the virus development of symptoms) is 4-5 days

•  Fever of 104-107
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea/possibly bloody
• Seizures
• Depression
• No Appetite 
• Dehydration
• Cats who are severely tend to lower their head over their water bowl but not drink
• Hypothermia
• Weakness
• Comatose 
• Possibly develop Bacterial Infection 

 
These symptoms appear so suddenly, some owners think their cat has been poisoned.

• Cats who survive the symptoms for longer than five days will usually survive, but complete recovery , going back to their normal weight and energy level may take several weeks. 

I never mentioned things you can do for a cat with Distemper- firstly take the cat to the vet!!

They can administer fluids which is probably one of the most significant ways to combat dehydration.

Other issues brought on by their compromise immunity will also need to be dealt with by a vet. 

Well that was a bleak blog post.. so let me end it with this...

 A Russian Ska-Punk band named Distemper ...and they are wearing matching outfits.