Feline Panleukopenia Study Guide
Overview and Clinical Importance
Feline panleukopenia (FPL), also known as feline distemper or feline parvovirus infection, is a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease affecting domestic and wild felids worldwide. It is caused by feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), a single-stranded, non-enveloped DNA virus belonging to the family Parvoviridae and genus Parvovirus. FPV is closely related to canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), and current circulating CPV variants (CPV-2a, CPV-2b, and CPV-2c) can also infect cats and cause panleukopenia.
FPL remains one of the most important infectious diseases in unvaccinated cat populations, particularly in shelter environments where mortality rates can approach 90% in kittens. The term panleukopenia refers to the marked decrease in all white blood cell populations resulting from viral destruction of rapidly dividing cells in the bone marrow.
Etiology and Epidemiology
Viral Characteristics
Epidemiology
Susceptible Hosts: All felids (domestic and wild cats), raccoons, mink, foxes. FPV can replicate in dogs without causing disease or shedding.
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