Charities issue warning amid rising FPV cases
The increase in cases is expected to significantly imapct rescue centres.
Animal welfare charities have shared warnings for veterinary surgeons, as cases of feline panleukopenia increase in the Midlands and North of England.
Cats Protection, the Blue Cross and RSPCA say that the virus, also known as feline parvovirus (FPV), could be especially damaging to animal shelters.
Cats may become infected with FPV, or occasionally canine parvovirus type 2, through the faeco-oral route. Although canine parvovirus type 2 is less commonly spread to cats, it is often clinically indistinguishable from FPV.
The virus is highly resistant in the environment, transferring to other cats through faeces, urine, saliva and vomitus of other cats. It will primarily target rapidly dividing cells.
Clinical signs of FPV include acute depression, pyrexia, gastrointestinal symptoms and marked panleukopenia. It can also cause intrauterine infections, which leads to foetal loss, immunosuppression or neurological disease in kittens.
Kittens infected in utero may have impaired central nervous system development, with ataxia commonly associated with cerebellar hypoplasia.
The virus has also been linked to sudden deaths, particularly in kittens.
Veterinary professionals are asked to raise any concern of FPV when reporting unexplained kitten deaths. A post-mortem examination is likely to achieve a definitive diagnosis.
With live cases, the compatible clinical signs can be combined with haematology results to increase diagnostic suspicion. However, although faecal ELISA and PCR tests have a role in diagnosis, veterinary practices are urged to approach results with caution due to the risk of both false positives and false negatives.
The increase in cases is expected to have a noticeable impact on animal rescue centres. Due to the risk posed to cats in care and awaiting transmission, centres may need to consider closing to new intakes and restricting homing.
This could lead longer stays for cats, reduced capacity for new arrivals and an emotional strain on carers and owners.
During such outbreaks, many shelters will adapt their vaccination protocols. This can mean vaccinating kittens from four weeks of age, with boosters every two to three weeks until 16 weeks of age.
Although this is off licence, the approach aligns with WSAVA guidelines when implemented on a risk-benefit basis.
The charities are now urging veterinary professionals to remain vigilant to consistent clinical signs. In cases of sudden death in kittens, they should also consider whether parvovirus could be the cause.
They should also consider virus risk when assessing vaccination frequency, and promote pre-pubertal neutering. This is beneficial, as outbreaks are often linked to periods of increased reproductive activity and populations with low vaccination coverage.
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