Feline Distemper (or Feline Panleukopenia Virus)

What is Feline Distemper / FPV in Cats?

FPV / Feline Panleukopenia Virus, otherwise known as Feline Distemper, is a highly contagious, life-threatening infectious disease in cats. It mostly affects kittens and unvaccinated cats, and it can be fatal if not appropriately diagnosed and treated. It is closely related to canine parvovirus (often confused as it is not related to the canine distemper virus).

The feline panleukopenia virus infects and kills the rapidly growing and dividing cells in the body, including cells in the bone marrow, intestines, and skin, and in a developing fetus.

The virus suppresses the production of all white blood cells in the bone marrow. These cells are important to the immune system and are used to fight infection. Without them, the cat is vulnerable to spreading the virus.

Infected cells in the intestines eventually lead to diarrhea, decreased appetite and vomiting. Severe dehydration ensues and the safety barrier between the intestines and the rest of the body breaks down, leading to secondary bacterial infections. The virus spreads quickly and is fatal, if left untreated.

Feline distemper virus is found everywhere in the environment; it is strong and can live for years. The virus can survive in the environment it was shed into or be carried on shoes, paws, bedding, bowls, litter boxes, etc. It can survive at freezing temperatures and room temperatures, and it can also survive the use of certain disinfectants, including iodine and alcohol.

The virus enters the body through the nose or mouth; the specific cat’s immune system determines the number of viral particles that enter the body. Usually, the virus invades the bone marrow and intestines within two to seven days of the cat coming into contact with the virus.

Panleukopenia is considered one of the deadliest cat diseases in the unvaccinated cat population. Kittens, cats with depressed immune systems and pregnant cats are at the highest risk to develop severe clinical signs of this disease.

Symptoms of Feline Distemper / FPV

Symptoms of feline distemper can range from mild to severe and may include the following:

• Lethargy

• Depression

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Painful abdomen (when touched or may appear tense and distended without touching)

• Dehydration

• Weight loss

• Rough or unkempt hair coat

• Fever

• Decreased to absent appetite

• Collapse (in severe cases)

• Bruising of the skin or gums (in severe cases)

Kittens infected in the womb during the late stages of pregnancy may develop cerebellar hypoplasia once born, a condition where the virus affects the formation of a part of the brain called the cerebellum. This is the part that coordinates balance and movement.

Affected kittens will have mild to severe intention tremors and a wide-based stance. They may fall frequently or seem uncoordinated. Luckily, this is not considered a painful condition, and these special-need kittens, if kept in safe environments, can live long happy lives.

Causes of Feline Distemper / FPV

Cats become infected with this virus in utero due to their mother becoming infected while pregnant or being exposed to it in their environment. Kittens can also be infected in utero or via breast milk when feeding from their mother.

A cat carrying feline distemper virus will shed viral particles into the environment through feces, urine, saliva and vomit. Infection occurs when susceptible cats are in contact with these secretions.

Luckily, an infected cat only sheds the virus for a day or two, but since the virus is very stable in the environment, it can live for years. That is why it is common for cats to become infected due to their environment.

Diagnosing Feline Distemper / FPV

Feline panleukopenia can look like many other conditions, such as feline leukemia or feline immunodeficiency virus. Any kitten showing signs of fever, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and a decreased appetite is a feline panleukopenia suspect. A thorough medical history can be helpful with diagnosis, especially if your cat was recently adopted, has been outdoors frequently, is unvaccinated, and/or has been around other cats.

Your veterinarian will likely do bloodwork to help with the diagnosis. Feline panleukopenia is suspected when exposure history is correlated with very low white blood cells and possibly low red blood cells (anemia).

Fecal testing for feline panleukopenia virus can be performed . If the cat received a panleukopenia vaccine 5-12 days prior to testing, this form of test is often falsely positive. Virus isolation (a test to find the virus in different tissue samples), antibody levels and PCR testing are also available to help confirm suspicions of feline panleukopenia.

Treatment of Feline Distemper / FPV

There is no specific treatment for feline panleukopenia. Dehydration is treated with aggressive intravenous fluid therapy while clinical signs of vomiting and diarrhea are treated with prescription medications.

Antibiotic therapy is often instituted to help control any secondary bacterial infections due to low white blood cell counts. However, antibiotics are not used to treat and clear the actual virus. For kittens and cats who appear in shock, or with severe infections, aggressive therapy and nursing care is necessary for resuscitation, using plasma/blood transfusions and anti-coagulant therapies.

Luckily, cats who do receive and respond well to aggressive therapy during the first few days of feline panleukopenia tend to have a good prognosis for a complete recovery. Kittens infected in utero during the early to middle stages of pregnancy typically do not survive. Those infected in the later stages of pregnancy tend to develop cerebellar hypoplasia but can live happy lives with normal survival times, depending on the severity of the neurological signs.

Prognosis decreases for cats with low protein levels, low temperatures, thin body conditions, and/or severely low white blood cells on bloodwork. These extremely ill cats have a poor prognosis and, on average, will pass away within 12-24 hours.

If a cat recovers from feline panleukopenia, there is usually no permanent damage to their organs, and they develop lifelong immunity to the virus.

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Fungal Disease in Amphibians (Chytridiomycosis)

Chytridiomycosis

Chytridiomycosis is a serious infectious disease caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a zoosporic fungus related to water molds. The fungus feeds on keratin, a protein found in the outermost layers of the skin, and survives in most environments, even without a host. It is believed that the decrease in the population of frogs in many areas is due to chytridiomycosis.

A common way to recognize chytridiomycosis is to check your amphibian's skin for sloughing or shedding. The disease can be fatal for amphibians left untreated. Therefore, owners suspecting chytridiomycosis in their amphibian must seek immediate veterinary care.

Symptoms and Types

An amphibian suffering from chytridiomycosis may shed excessively, develop thickened or pale skin and, in the cases of tadpoles, disfigured beaks. Other common symptoms or signs include:

• Lethargy

• Loss of appetite (anorexia)

• Constriction of the eye's pupil

• Abnormal posture of the hind legs

• Abnormal behavior and disposition

• Hyperemia (an increase in blood flow to different body tissues)

Some amphibians present no clinical symptoms of the disease, but are still infected with the Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis fungus. These animals are carriers of the disease.

Causes

Chytridiomycosis is due to an infection with the B. dendrobatidis fungus. Generally, amphibians contract the fungus through their skin while in contaminated water.

Diagnosis

Veterinarians diagnose the disease by examining skin scrapings or toe clips that are stained and put under a light microscope. Placing an infected animal in a shallow dish of water will often confirm the sloughing of skin, a common symptom for chytridiomycosis.

Treatment

To treat chytridiomycosis, your veterinarian will prescribe antifungal medication, such as itraconazol, which is usually diluted and administered as a bath. Supplemental treatment may include ultraviolet light therapy.

Living and Management

For unknown reasons, chytrid infections have a high mortality rate. Therefore, it is important you follow your veterinarian's instructions and provide a clean aquatic environment and an appropriate temperature range for your amphibian.

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Flatulence in Dogs

Flatulence occurs when gas builds up in your dog’s intestinal tract and colon. This is commonly caused by the dog eating something new – either a change in diet, or a food that they weren’t meant to eat. If your dog is eating food they can’t digest like dairy, soybeans, peas, or foods high in fat, they can experience chronic flatulence. Dog farts are typically not concerning, but if your dog’s gas becomes unbearable it may be time to make a change.

What Are Some Causes of Flatulence in Dogs?

Hard-to-digest foods like table scraps or spicy foods can give your dog an upset stomach, which can result in excessive gas or excessively smelly gas. Feeding them food or snacks with low-quality ingredients, fillers, or artificial preservatives can also give your dog gas.

If your dog is fed a high-quality diet and still has excessive gas, your veterinarian can test to see if they have poor digestion. They can also try to identify an intolerance or allergy your dog may have by eliminating ingredients from their diet and reintroducing them again.

Dogs who eat quickly will swallow more air while eating, which also leads to more flatulence.

Which Dogs Are Most at Risk?

If your dog is overweight, obese, or sedentary they are at a higher risk for chronic flatulence, regardless of diet. Short-nosed breeds like Pugs, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, and Lhasa Apsos tend to swallow a lot of air when they eat or drink, which causes excessive farting.

Could Flatulence Be a Symptom of Another Health Issue?

Once you’ve ruled out a food intolerance or digestive issue as the cause of your dog’s flatulence, you may need to visit your vet to identify a more serious cause. Persistent dog farts may be a side effect of the following health issues:

• Inflammation of the large intestine or colon (canine colitis)

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

• Stomach infection

• Intestinal parasites such as worms

• Inflammatory bowel disease

• Inflammation of the pancreas

• Cancer

What Can I Do to Reduce My Dog’s Flatulence?

A healthy and consistent diet is the best way to reduce your dog’s farts.

You can also try the following:

• Don’t give your dog table scraps. Dogs can’t easily digest scraps, including foods high in fats and sugars, which can cause bloating and discomfort.

• Don’t give your dog dairy products. Most dogs are lactose intolerant, which means that milk, cream, or cheese can upset their stomachs.

• Keep your dog out of the trash in your home and outside. Practice the command “leave it” when taking your curious dog on walks.

• Avoid giving your dog fart-inducing foods. Steamed vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts can be healthy for your dog, but also produce more gas.

• Slow down your speed-eater. Divide your dog’s food into smaller portions throughout the day or try a slow-feeding dish to make them slow down.

• Keep your dog active. Make sure they get plenty of exercise and playtime.

• Change your dog’s diet. If you switch your dog to a new food, gradually introduce the food with their current kibble over the course of a week or two.

If those tips don’t work, you may want to feed your dog a mix of dry and wet foods. Make sure they are getting the right amount of protein. You generally want to give your dog more protein than carbohydrates, but too much red meat can also be the cause of especially stinky farts. Introducing a probiotic diet or supplement will aid in healthy digestion. Ask your veterinarian first if you’re considering giving your dog over-the-counter anti-gas medication.

What Are Some General Tips for Choosing a Healthy Dog Food?

Foods with low-quality ingredients can cause gas in dogs, so make sure to look at the ingredients that are used in your dog’s food. Avoid feeding your dog food that contains fermentable fibers such as chicory, inulin, pectins, psyllium, plant gums, oats, barley, beet pulp, fruit, or legumes. High-quality foods will consist of the following:

• One or more animal-based protein sources at the top of the ingredient list

• The words “highly digestible” or “low residue” on the label

• Minimal to no chemical preservatives

When Is It Time to See the Vet?

If your dog still has excessive gas after you’ve changed their diet, it may be time to visit your vet. Not only is your dog’s gas uncomfortable for you, but flatulence can also cause your dog physical discomfort. If your dog has a medical problem or food sensitivity, their gas may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Weight loss

• Change in appetite

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

Schedule a visit to your veterinarian if your dog shows any of those symptoms.

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How can you tell when a cat is in pain?

Assessing pain is a complicated challenge, especially in cats. Pain has two primary components: the sensory aspect (intensity, location and duration) and the affective aspect (emotional toll).

Because pain assessment is somewhat subjective, veterinarians constantly try to create tools that make this process more objective. For validity, any pain measuring tool should take into consideration both characteristics: the sensory and the affective.

Signs of pain in cats

A British study was recently conducted in order to reach a consensus about criteria when evaluating pain in cats. Ultimately, 25 signs were considered to be reliable and sensitive for indicating pain in cats, across a range of different clinical conditions:

Top 5 Signs:

• Appetite decrease

• Avoiding bright areas

• Growling

• Groaning

• Eyes closed

Other signs included: Lameness, difficulty jumping, abnormal gait, reluctant to move, reaction to touch, withdrawing/hiding, absence of grooming, playing less, overall activity decrease, less rubbing toward people, general mood, temperament, hunched up posture, shifting of weight, licking a particular body region, lower head posture, eyelids tightly shut, change in form of feeding behavior, straining to urinate, tail flicking

The top 5 signs are indicative of severe pain. Behavioral changes, such as irritability, tend to be seen with more long-term pain. The other signs can be observed with less intense pain. All of these signs cover both the sensorial and the emotional aspects of pain.

What if you see these signs of pain in your cat?

Cat owners should be aware of these signs. It is easy to mistakenly attribute behavioral changes, such as absence of grooming or playing less, as signs of aging; they can actually be signs of pain.

Remember, the presence of any single one of these 25 signs means pain. If you see any of these signs in your cat, see your veterinarian right away. Also remember that the absence of a sign does not mean your cat is no pain.

These signs may help both vets and cat guardians better assess the pain status of cats in their care.

While it can be fairly easy to recognize severe pain, it is much more difficult to detect low grade pain. The criteria above are a great start. Hopefully, this research will spark more studies to help us assess mild pain in cats as well to ensure their well-being.

If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian— they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.

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Why You Should Routinely Clean Your Pet’s Food and Water Bowls

Did you know your pet's food and water bowls are a hot spot of risk? Dirty food and water bowls can lead to parasites, affecting your pets and household. In the context of hygiene, pet food bowls are definitely an important part of your cleaning routine to be meticulous about.

We will cover a variety of things:

Good Hygiene & Safety Measures

4 Ways Your Dog’s Water Can Make Them Sick

Determining the right bowls for your pet

Where Do the Bugs Come From?

Zoonotic diseases are diseases that normally infect an animal, but poses a risk to people.

The most common zoonoses with regard to food and water bowls are salmonella, campylobacter, and worms.

These bugs have different mechanisms of causing infection, but they can all be shed into the environment through feces and travel indoors on the pet’s paws or coat.

When your pet licks their fur and then eats from a bowl, this can spread infection onto an object you touch. When you pick up the bowl, you run the risk of getting that same bug on your hands.

Also, with salmonella, the food itself may contain bacteria, with raw meat and eggs posing a special risk. We normally rely on thorough cooking to kill salmonella, so feeding a raw diet to your pet increases the risk.

Food Hygiene

Knowing raw meat could contain salmonella should make you think twice about where you store it.

It should be refrigerated (below 40° F) to slow down the growth of contaminating bacteria. Avoid storing raw meat or any pet food immediately beside human food. Make sure it’s securely wrapped and put in a different section of the fridge whenever possible.

The longer food sits in the open at room temperature, the greater the chance of bacterial contamination and multiplication. With this in mind, serve only the portion your pet can eat in one go so that food isn’t left sitting around. To streamline this and avoid the risks, buy packs of moist food in smaller sizes so you can throw unopened food away rather than store open sachets for days.

Related: Salmonella Infection in Pets & People and Zoonotic Diseases

What’s the Safest Way to Wash Bowls?

Wash them every day: Rinse them under running water and either hand-wash them in hot soapy water or put them on the top rack of the dishwasher (so the dishwasher’s heat doesn’t melt plastic dishes).

When hand-washing, do the pet’s dishes last, using a separate sponge or scourer kept just for the pet’s things. Make the water as hot as you can stand without burning yourself and use liquid or detergent soap. Rinse them well — your pets won’t enjoy a soapy aftertaste, and there’s a slim chance it could make them ill.

Fresh drinking water must be available for your pet at all times, so have at least 2 sets of everything so you have one bowl that’s clean and full of water for your pet while you are cleaning the other one.

Other Safety Measures

Always keep separate utensils for the pet’s food, such as serving spoons, forks, or scoops. Never use the pet’s things (toys, bowls, etc.) as a scoop.

Although some pets have nasty tummy upsets as a result of salmonella and campylobacter—not all do. Some pets are carriers, meaning the bug is in their system—they’re not ill, but they excrete it in their waste. Some of those bacteria (and also worm eggs) get onto the pet’s coat and then onto your hands when you stroke them. Delightful imagery, right? Wash! Your! Hands!

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4 Ways Your Dog’s Water Can Make Them Sick

Your dog’s water bowl is the 3rd most germ-laden place in the house!

We all know clean and fresh water is vital for good health. With this in mind, you probably top up the bowl every time it goes down.

But as it happens, this isn’t sufficient to ensure good health. Merely topping up the water level does nothing to control harmful bacteria or even toxins that can be lurking in the water. Not only are these bugs unpleasant, but also they can cause illness in people, especially those with weak immune systems. So what bugs could be lurking in your pet's water bowl? Surprisingly, quite a few!

1. Giardia

This single-celled parasite may be better known to you as “traveler’s diarrhea.” It can infect people too—not just your pets.

Giardia is shed in feces inside a hardy oocyst. The latter is tough and can survive for long periods of time in warm, humid conditions, and thrives in water.

When a dog drinks infected water, the parasite passes into its gut. Some dogs show no symptoms, but others can develop sickness and weight loss in addition to diarrhea.

A diagnosis is made by examining a fecal sample under a microscope. Most cases respond well to 3-10 days of medication tailored to your pet.

Related: How do pets and people become infected with Giardia?

2. Cryptosporidium

Cryptosporidium is similar to giardia but a whole lot tougher. It’s so tough that it can survive chlorine treatment. Similar to giardia, oocysts are passed in feces that, if they get into the water, are a source of infection for animals and birds.

• Your vet will prepare a treatment of fenbendazole or metronidazole to kill the parasite in the gut.

• Bathe and shampoo the dog on the last day of treatment to wash away any oocysts clinging to the coat. Not doing so risks reinfection should the dog lick their fur.

Related: What Can I Catch From My Dog?

3. Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a particularly nasty infection with the potential to kill. It’s also a devious infection because signs can range from mild stomach upsets that last for weeks to months to an acute liver and kidney failure that are fatal in hours.

Other symptoms include:

• Fever

• Muscle weakness

• Blood in the urine

• Loss of appetite

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Collapse due to organ failure

Leptospirosis can be spread by rat urine and especially loves water sources such as standing water, puddles, and birdbaths. The unpredictable nature of leptospirosis means prevention is the best policy.

Luckily, there are vaccines available for your dog. If you live in a risk area for lepto, then your vet will advise giving the vaccine. A word of caution, though: The vaccine must be given yearly, as immunity is often gone completely 12 months after the previous dose.

Humans, however, don’t yet have a vaccine. Did you know pets can pass lepto to people? If your dog shows similar symptoms to those above and you feel unwell, see your physician as a matter of urgency.

Related: You and Your Pet Are at Risk For Leptospirosis

4. Blue-Green Algae

You may be aware that dogs shouldn’t swim in water with an obvious algal bloom—but do you know why?

Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are a toxin-producing form of bacteria. This toxin can affect any mammal (yes, including people), causing nerve and liver damage.

Signs of toxicity include:

• Weakness

• Muscle tremors

• Drooling

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Breathing difficulties

• Collapse and death

There is no antidote to blue-green algae poisoning. Treatment includes rinsing out the stomach to remove contamination and supportive care with intravenous fluids.

So don’t let your dog swim in dirty water or drink from containers of “old” water — give them the fresh stuff.

Related: How Red Tide Affects Your Pet

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Biofilms on Your Pet’s Water Bowl Are Bad

Spot the biofilm in your pet’s water bowl.

Does your dog or cat have a stainless steel drinking bowl? Next time you rinse the bowl under the tap, look for that misty, smoky layer covering the metal.

If you can’t see it, try wiping your finger across the wet metal surface. If your fingertip leaves a clean streak in its path, then you’re looking at a biofilm.

The definition of a biofilm is: “A thin but robust layer of mucilage adhering to a solid surface and containing a community of bacteria and other microorganisms.” So, basically a thin layer of stickiness rich in bacteria that coats a surface. Yum!
You will have experienced a biofilm for yourself the last time you skipped brushing your teeth. Do you know that unpleasant stickiness that coated your teeth? Well, this is a biofilm made up of mucin, which is a mucous-like glue and bacteria combination.

When water comes into contact with a biofilm, it then becomes a weak bacterial soup. When the pet drinks that water, it’s tantamount to challenging their immune system to a duel. If the dog is very young, elderly, or on immune-suppressive drugs, then there’s a risk of them becoming ill.

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Ditch The Plastic!

Plastic is riddled with risks.

Plastic bowls have more than their fair share of problems when it comes to drinking water.

The plastic surface is easily scratched, which provides inviting nooks and crannies for bugs to hide in.

But more than this, plastic bowls are made of chemicals. One in particular, p-benzyl hydroquinone, inhibits the production of melanin (dark pigment).

It’s melanin that gives a black, leathery nose its rich, deep color. When a nose has regular contact with p-benzyl hydroquinone, such as when the dog drinks, it can cause depigmentation. This can lead to a black nose turning mottled or patchy-looking.

Just think—if this substance can do this to the outside of the body, what’s it doing to the inside?

We know that BPA (a chemical that hardens plastic) can interfere with the production of natural hormones in the body. In people, BPAs are linked to diabetes, impaired brain function, and cancer. When you think about how small dogs and cats are compared to people, the dose of BPA they get must be relatively higher.

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Micro-Cracks Lurk in Ceramic Bowls

Surely, a good, heavy-duty ceramic bowl is better, right? Yes and no.

Ceramic bowls aren’t regulated in terms of what goes into making them. There is concern that some originating from China contain lead. Lead is a toxic substance that causes destruction of the red blood cells and nerve damage and is generally a substance best avoided.

In addition, the glaze on a ceramic bowl is subject to microfractures. This is called “crazing” within the glaze and can be seen on a microscopic level.

Scientists investigating biofilms found them to be just as bad on ceramic bowls as plastic. They suspect this ultra-fine crazing somehow provides “grip” for the microfilm to stick to.

Stainless Steel Is Best

The hands-down winner when it comes to drinking bowls is stainless steel. However, this is only if they are washed regularly, preferably on a daily basis.

Even a stainless steel bowl builds up a biofilm if it’s not washed properly. Get into the habit of washing your dog’s water bowl daily, preferably with hot, soapy water or by putting it through the dishwasher.

Don’t be tempted to merely top up the water level— this is feeding the bacterial soup. For optimal health for your pets (and family) choose stainless steel and empty it out daily, wash it with hot, soapy water, rinse and fill with fresh water.

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