ALL PET CENTER VILLAGE PET HOTEL & SPA Serving All Your Pet Care Needs In Hot Springs Village, Arkansas

4147 Highway 7 North Hot Springs Village, Arkansas 71909 Telephone: (501) 625-3418 or (501) 984-5045

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Feline Distemper, Leukemia, AIDS

and Infectious Peritonitis

FELINE DISTEMPER: This is the most common viral disease in cats. The virus actually causes a panleukopenia, which means that the white cell count in the blood test is very low. This disease is very common in cats that were not vaccinated early in life against the disease. The virus is resistant to most disinfectants. The virus is also carried by raccoons, ferrets, and mink. The virus is transmitted directly in the secretions of the feline body, especially the feces (stool) or (diarrhea). The virus can attack all parts of the body, so the symptoms can be multiples. Most cats that have the disease act dizzy or depressed. They usually run a high fever. Recovered cats sometimes have “twitches” or stagger a bit. Many have loose stools or are always having runny stools. Many older cats that had a touch of distemper when they were kittens and recovered will sometimes have a return of the symptoms when they are much older. There are cats that recover from the virus and then carry the virus, periodically shedding the virus in their stools. There are other diseases with these symptoms. The vaccine is very effective in preventing the disease.

FELINE LEUKEMIA: This disease in cats is similar to the disease in humans. There are no possible ways for humans to get leukemia from cats. Humans that have been accidentally sprayed with the virus have not developed the disease. Because the virus that causes leukemia in cats has been isolated, a vaccine has been developed that has been effective. Infected cats become anemic. They eventually die from complications of anemia. Some cats recover in some form while other cats can carry the virus and not die from it. There are very accurate tests for the leukemia virus. There are probably different carrier forms of the virus that have not been identified as yet. I have never seen leukemia in a vaccinated cat.

FELINE AIDS: Yes, Villagers, there is an HIV virus for cats. This particular name describes a type of virus similar to human HIV, but not the same. There is a test for this virus that is fairly accurate. The test is done in large laboratories. There is no vaccine for this virus as yet on the market. The symptoms in cats are the same as in humans in that the virus attacks the immune system of cats causing other symptoms from bacteria to appear. There does appear to be cross immunity to this disease. A high percentage of cats that contract leukemia or other viral diseases eventually develop this disease also. So the virus is considered to be an “opportunist” virus in that it attacks a weakened immune system. I have not seen this disease by itself except in non-vaccinated cats.

FELINE INFECTIOUS PERITONITIS. This disease is nearly always fatal. It exists in two forms in cats. The “wet” or effusive form results in liquid developing in the abdomen of the cats. This is the acute form that we usually see. Treatment is rarely successful. The “dry” or non-effusive form is a very slow progression . Dry lumps develop in the abdomen . The disease is commonly transmitted by saliva. Some cats evidently do recover . They are usually the ones vaccinated against the other diseases. There is a new vaccine to help in preventing the disease. There also seems to be cross-immunity here. Please remember that vaccines are not perfect but much preferred to the alternative of not vaccinating. Playing roulette with your cat’s health is not a good idea. Immunity decreases as your friend ages.

THE FUTURE: Much research is being done in recombinant immunizations. These products will prevent diseases at the most basic cell level in the body. There is a recombinant “vaccine” for cattle that is now on the market. These products do not give the disease nor contain the disease virus. So the future is looking better for our feline friends. Give your friends a hug for me!

DR. BOB

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