Antipyretics for children are prescribed by a pediatrician. But there are emergency situations for fever when the child needs to be given medicine immediately. Then the parents take responsibility and use antipyretic drugs. What is allowed to give to infants? How can you bring down the temperature in older children? What medicines are the safest?

TREATMENT OF VIRAL INFECTIONS IN CATS

The main treatment is aimed at stimulating the immune system (Vitafel, Immunofan, Fosprenil, Gamavit). Well, and the fight against complications.
And - it doesn’t matter rhinotracheitis, calcivirosis, panleukopenia ....

RHINOTRACHEITIS TREATMENT SCHEME

Vitafel-globulin. 1 ampoule subcutaneously every 12 hours. 3-4 ampoules. STORED AND TRANSPORTED ONLY IN A REFRIGERATOR / THERMOS. If there is no globulin - go
Vitafel serum. (veterinary preparation)

Fosprenil per 1 kg of weight - 0.4 ml. It can be subcutaneous, it can be intramuscular. Prick every 8 hours. (veterinary preparation)

Immunofan, s / c - 1 ampoule, every other day, 4 or 5 ampoules. (veterinary preparation)

Cefazolin (antibiotic). Calculate dosage according to
accompaniment - by weight. Injected 2 times a day intramuscularly for 7 days. (human pharmacy).
Gamavit 0.5 ml subcutaneously 2 times a day. (veterinary preparation) STORED IN
REFRIGERATOR.
In the eyes and nose 2-3 times a day, drip 2-3 drops of Interferon
(people pharmacy). (This is ANTIVIRAL, and what I write below about the eyes and nose is against complications, suppuration, snot, etc. That is, interferon and these
"Instillation" is better not to intersect. For example, Galazolin with an antibiotic was dripped into the nose, after half an hour - an hour interferon was dripped).

In the eyes - sofradex. (human pharmacy).

Into the nose. Buy children's galazolin, it should get into the kitten's nose
divorced TWICE MORE. Dilute it 1:1 with an injectable antibiotic (you can use the same Cefazolin solution). Naturally, the resulting solution is stored in
refrigerator. Do not dilute a lot at once - the antibiotic solution is stored for a day. And this mixture 3-4 times a day, drip a couple of drops.

If there is Heel homeopathy - Engystol 0.5 1 time per day subcutaneously for 7 days. It is human, it is veterinary. Better
veterinary, of course, but it seems (???), now there are problems with the supply. Human at worst, too, will come down.
You can dilute medicines with the help of syringes (they are with divisions, convenient). It is better to dilute the antibiotic with water, injections, although more painful, are safer, and
so the cat will receive medicines "to the fullest."
It is best to inject with IMPORTED insulin syringes. And it is easier to measure the right dosage, because the doses are very small. And the needles are thinner and sharper - not
you torture the animal too much. Although, of course, you still torment.

If the cat does not drink - subcutaneously Ringer's solution or saline, at least 60 ml per day. But in general, if everything is so bad that he won’t drink, maybe
I'll have to put in drips. Dehydration is a terrible thing for cats. This, of course, only a doctor can.

Medicines are listed in order of importance. Those. Vitafel - categorically desirable.

Good results in the fight against secondary infection are shown by the antibiotic TYLOZIN (use instead of cefazolin).

Dosage per kitten 0.3 mm once a day.

Do not forget that only a secondary bacterial infection is treated with antibiotics, therefore it is absolutely impossible to treat viral diseases with one antibiotic. Mandatory application

antiviral drugs, see above!

TYLOZIN: INSTRUCTIONS

Tylosin 50 and Tylosin 200 (Tilozin 50 and Tilosin 200).

Antibacterial drugs in the form of solutions for injection containing the base tylosin 50,000 μg / ml and 200,000 μg / ml, respectively, as the active substance, and propanediol, benzyl alcohol and water for injection as auxiliary components.

They are transparent, slightly viscous liquids of light yellow color with a characteristic odor.

Tylosin 50 and Tylosin 200 are produced packaged in 20, 50 and 100 ml glass bottles.

Store the drug in its original packaging with precautions (list B) in a place protected from light, out of the reach of children and animals, at a temperature of 10 to 25 ° WITH.

The shelf life of the preparations, subject to storage conditions, is 2 years from the date of manufacture.

PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

Tylosin is a bacteriostatic active antibiotic designed specifically for use in animals. Tylosin acts on gram-positive and some gram-negative bacteria, including: E. coli, Bacillus anthracis, Pasteurella spp., Haemophilus spp., Leptospira spp., Stapylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., Erysipelothrix spp., Corynebacterium spp., Mycoplasma spp. ., Chlamydia spp., Treponema spp. (Brachispira), etc.

When administered intramuscularly, the antibiotic is resorbed rapidly and reaches maximum concentrations in tissues approximately 1 hour after administration. The therapeutic level of the antibiotic in the body persists for 20 to 24 hours. It is excreted from the body mainly with urine and bile secretion, in lactating animals and with milk.

According to the degree of impact on the body, it belongs to low-hazard substances (hazard class 4 according to GOST 12.1.007-76).

HOW TO USE

Tylosin 50 and Tylosin 200 are used to treat:

Bronchopneumonia of large and small cattle, pigs, dogs and cats;

mastitis in cattle;

Enzootic pneumonia, arthritis, dysentery, atrophic rhinitis of pigs;

Infectious agalactia of sheep and goats;

Secondary infections in viral diseases.

Tylosin 50 and Tylosin 200 are administered only intramuscularly 1 time per day. With repeated use, it is necessary to change the injection site.

Kind of animal	Tylosin 50	Tylosin 200
Cattle, calves	0.1 - 0.2 ml	0.025 - 0.05 ml
Pigs	0.2 ml	0.05 ml
Sheep, goats	0.2 - 0.24 ml	0.05 - 0.06 ml
Dogs, cats	0.1 - 0.2 ml	0.025 - 0.05 ml

In pigs, allergic reactions are possible in the form of mild edema with slight prolapse of the rectum, erythema, itching and respiratory phenomena, which disappear after discontinuation of the use of Tylosin 50 or Tylosin 200.

The simultaneous use of Tylosin 50 and Tylosin 200 with tiamulin, clindamycin, chloramphenicol, penicillins (especially with ampicillin and oxacillin), cephalosporins and lincomycin is not recommended due to a pronounced decrease in the antibacterial effect of tylosin.

Contraindications to the use of Tylosin 50 and Tylosin 200 is increased individual sensitivity to tylosin.

Milk obtained from animals during the period of application of Tylosin 50 or Tylosin 200 and until four days after the last administration of the drug must not be used for food purposes. Such milk can be used to feed animals.

PERSONAL PREVENTION MEASURES

When working with Tylosin 50 and Tylosin 200, you should follow the general rules of personal hygiene and safety precautions provided for when working with drugs.

Tylosin 50 and Tylosin 200 should not be used after the expiration date.

Tylosin 50 and Tylosin 200 should be kept out of the reach of children.

It is forbidden to use vials from under the drug for food purposes.

Manufacturing organization: Nita-Pharm CJSC

GENERAL CAT VIROLOGY

Viral infections of cats include such common and dangerous diseases as rabies, Aujeszky's disease, panleukopenia, feline immunodeficiency, calicivirus, coronavirus, herpetic and other infections. In the treatment and prevention of these diseases, drugs developed by the specialists of CJSC "Micro-plus" are effective - fosprenil, maksidin and gamavit.

Viruses cause severe diseases in domestic cats, which are often fatal. Sources of viral particles are often not only sick animals, but also virus-carrying animals that excrete them with feces, urine, discharge from the eyes, nose, contents of pustules, etc. Transmission of viruses occurs both through direct contact of a sick animal (or virus carrier) with a susceptible animal, and through the air when sick and healthy cats are kept together, through bedding, cages, dishes, etc. The spread of viruses is facilitated by factors such as crowded keeping of animals (especially at exhibitions), non-compliance with elementary hygiene measures, a tendency for cats to wander, as well as stress factors (long-term transportation, visiting a veterinary clinic, malnutrition, hypothermia).

Therapy of viral diseases should be aimed at restoring the protective barriers of the mucous membranes, fighting viruses, correcting immunity (stimulating natural resistance, protecting against secondary infections), eliminating or weakening the manifestations of the disease (symptomatic therapy), as well as replacing impaired physiological functions of the body (replacement therapy). In addition, with viral diseases, a proper diet, a balanced content of vitamins, macro- and microelements is important. This is not only an important component of therapy, but also a way to free the body from toxins accumulated during the illness. This is especially important if the cat refused food or, on the recommendation of a doctor, was put on a starvation diet. In such cases, the new drug Gamavit proved to be the most effective (contains an extract of the placenta, an immunomodulator - sodium nucleinate - and a physiologically balanced mixture of other components: 20 amino acids, 17 vitamins, nucleic acid derivatives, essential minerals and trace elements), the components of which are selected precisely taking into account violations occurring in various diseases. Gamavit enhances the effect of drugs, normalizes metabolic processes, neutralizes the action of toxins, increases natural resistance to infections, normalizes the ratio of calcium and phosphorus, increases appetite. At the earliest stages of a viral infection, specific antiviral globulins and sera (vitafel, vitafel-C, etc.) are quite effective. However, the duration of their exposure to viral particles is limited to the time (about a week from the onset of the disease) when they are in the blood. In addition to sera, interferon preparations and their inducers are effective in the initial stages of a viral infection: cycloferon (currently discontinued for veterinary medicine), gum, 0.4% maxidin, neoferon, etc.). Immunostimulants such as immunofan, T-activin, mastim, anandin, etc. are also effective. However, immunostimulants and interferonogens are not recommended in the late stages of some viral diseases.

Fosprenil has proved to be one of the most effective drugs for the treatment of viral diseases in cats. Fosprenil is a drug obtained by phosphorylation of polyprenols isolated from the processing of tree needles. The drug was developed as a result of many years of cooperation between leading scientists of the Moscow Institute of Organic Chemistry named after V.I. N.D. Zelinsky, and epidemiology and microbiology. N.F. Gamaleya. On the one hand, the drug mobilizes the body's defenses, and on the other hand, it has a powerful antiviral activity. For more than 10 years of use, fosprenil has saved thousands of lives of hopelessly ill cats and dogs. The combined use of fosprenil with maksidin and gamavit is especially effective. In the Russian Federation, the drug is patented as a remedy for the treatment of viral enteritis, hepatitis, panleukopenia, canine distemper and other severe viral diseases. Convincing results have been achieved in the treatment, and, no less important, in the prevention of panleukopenia, coronavirus and other infections in cats.

INFECTIOUS PANLEUCOPENIA

Panleukopenia is one of the most dangerous and contagious viral infections in cats. This is one of the most contagious diseases of viral origin, which is also called feline distemper, feline ataxia, feline fever, contagious agranulocytosis, or infectious parvovirus enteritis. The natural reservoir of the virus is mustelid animals and wild cats. Pathogens - small DNA-containing parvoviruses - are found in saliva separated from the nose, in urine and feces. These viruses are very persistent (they persist in the cracks of the floor and furniture for more than a year), resistant to treatment with trypsin, phenol, chloroform, acids, and they spread not only through excrement, but also with water and food (in particular, through food bowls) and even, according to some reports, through blood-sucking insects. The vertical route of transmission is also characteristic: from a sick mother to offspring. In recovered animals, virus-neutralizing antibodies in high titer are detected for a long time.

Mortality due to panleukopenia exceeds 90%, and not only kittens die, but also adult animals. Recovered cats acquire lifelong immunity, however, they can remain virus carriers for a long time, posing a real threat to susceptible animals.

After introduction into the body, panleukopenia viruses primarily affect the epithelial cells of the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as lymphohemopoietic cells, including bone marrow stem cells responsible for lymphopoiesis. As a result, severe panleukopenia develops (against the background of normal erythropoiesis function), the severity of which determines both the main severity and the outcome of the disease.

Since almost all organ systems are affected with panleukopenia, it can be difficult to recognize it right away - the symptoms are very diverse. The incubation period is usually 3-10 days. Most often, the disease is recorded in spring and autumn.

Symptoms. There are fulminant and acute forms of the disease. In the first case, the animals die suddenly, like a bolt from the blue, without any noticeable symptoms. The acute form of panleukopenia begins with lethargy, appetite suppression, a sudden and sharp rise in temperature to 40-41 C. Cats are thirsty, but they do not drink water. There is frequent yellowish vomiting, often with mucus. Later, diarrhea may develop with an admixture of blood (feces are very fetid), or, on the contrary, constipation is observed. On the skin, the appearance of reddish spots is sometimes noted, which grow and turn into pustules filled with serous fluid. After drying, grayish-brown crusts form. With respiratory complications, mucopurulent discharge from the eyes is observed. Bradycardia and/or arrhythmia are also observed. Animals tend to retire in a secluded place, lie on their stomachs, stretching out their limbs. Sometimes they sit for a long time over a saucer of water, but do not drink - perhaps due to severe nausea.

The disease affects all organs and is terrible for its complications. Without treatment, the animal can die in a few days, more often in 4-5. If the disease persists for 9 days or more, cats usually survive and acquire lifelong immunity, but may remain carriers of the virus for a very long time. Therefore, a mother who has been ill can infect her offspring.

Diagnosis confirmed by a blood test, in which there is a pronounced leukopenia (decrease in the number of leukocytes in 1 liter of blood to 3-5x109 or less) - agranulocytosis, then neutropenia and lymphopenia.

Treatment. Before the arrival of the doctor, treatment with Vitafel, Fosprenil (administered daily at 0.2-0.4 ml / kg, depending on the severity of the disease, 3-4 times a day) should be started in combination with Maksidin and Gamavit. Treatment is stopped 2-3 days after the normalization of the general condition and the disappearance of the main symptoms of the disease. Then the drug is canceled for 3-6 days with a gradual decrease in the daily dose. In case of damage to the upper respiratory tract, repeated instillation of fosprenil into the eyes and nose is recommended, provided that the drug is diluted with saline 3-5 times ex tempore) and gamavit (or intensive vitamin therapy in combination with iron-containing drugs), to ensure complete rest, warmth and good care. Be sure to prescribe a starvation diet. In the treatment at the initial stages of the disease, maxidin is effective (ED Ilchenko et al., 2002). To prevent complications, beta-lactam antibiotics should be used: penicillins and cephalosporins (albipen LA, amoxicillin, neopen, cefadroxil, cefakure), kittens and m - ampioks, to combat dehydration - metoclopramide, Ringer's solution. If a sick cat does not die within 5-7 days, then the prognosis is usually favorable. During the rehabilitation period - gamavit, protein-vitamin-mineral supplements: SA-37, phytomines, "Gamma", tsamaks and others.

If panleukopenia is suspected, in no case do not give analgin to the cat!

Prevention. To prevent cat distemper, timely vaccination of kittens with polyvalent vaccines Nobivac (Nobivac Tricat, used to protect cats from viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia), multifel-4 or Vitafelvac (against rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia and chlamydia) can be recommended.

In this case, it is desirable to take into account the immune status of the cat and the existing risk of infection. Normally, the first vaccination is carried out at the age of 12 weeks, and the second one - at 15-16 weeks. If the level of colostral antibodies is not high enough and there is a risk of infection, then the first vaccination can be carried out at 9 weeks, and the second at 12 weeks.

If there were cats with panleukopenia in your house, then it is advisable to purchase new kittens no earlier than a year later. If you suspect panleukopenia, be sure to treat the floor, carpets, furniture and cat hygiene with 3% sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), or 3% sodium hypochlorite solution, which destroys the viruses that cause panleukopenia.

HERPES

Cases have also been described when herpesvirus infection leads to abortions and / or the birth of a dead offspring.

The virus is usually transmitted transplacentally. The incubation period is short - 2-3 days. An asymptomatic course of infection is possible, in which the virus becomes latent, but later (after stress, immunosuppression, the use of glucocorticoids), the virus can become activated.

Symptoms: depression, lack of appetite, fever, purulent conjunctivitis, keratitis, sometimes - bilateral protrusion of the third eyelid, diarrhea (usually yellowish-green in color), ulceration of the oral cavity, tracheitis, in severe cases, pneumonia is possible. Herpesvirus encephalitis has also been described.

Treatment appoints a veterinarian. Antiviral agents such as fosprenil and maksidin are effective. Therapy with the use of maksidin allows to achieve clinical improvement on the 2nd-3rd day of the disease, and complete recovery on the 8th day (ED Ilchenko et al., 2002). To stimulate cellular immunity - immunofan. As a supporting and strengthening agent - gamavit, vitamin and mineral supplements. With diarrhea - diarkan, vetom-1.1.

Prevention. Vaccination with a subunit oily vaccine against feline herpesvirus ("Ron-Merier"), composed of antigens of the glycoprotein shell and not containing capsid proteins, is effective. Thanks to the latter, the vaccine lacks residual virulence and allergic properties. The vaccine is produced in association with vaccines against other feline infections.

INFECTIOUS RHINOTRACHEITIS

Infectious rhinotracheitis (viral rhinitis) is a contagious disease that occurs in cats of any age. It is most often caused by certain viruses of the herpes group, as well as caliciviruses and reoviruses. The DNA-containing feline rhinotracheitis virus, belonging to the group of herpesviruses, has a lipoprotein envelope and is sensitive to treatment with chloroform and acids. Infection occurs through the respiratory tract. Incubation period: 2-4 days. The mouth, nose, eyes and respiratory organs are affected. The disease can be complicated by keratoconjunctivitis and pneumonia. Among kittens under 6 months of age, mortality reaches 30%, while adult cats usually recover, however, an infection caused by one of these viruses can be complicated by the development of another viral infection (or even several infections), and then mortality can reach 80%. Most of the recovered animals remain virus carriers, and the process of isolating contagious viral particles increases significantly under stressful conditions.

Symptoms. Lethargy, loss of appetite, cough, photophobia, purulent discharge from the nose and eyes, glossitis, ulcerative stomatitis, profuse salivation, fever.

Create a calm environment for the sick animal, keep it warm, give warm milk and liquid food.

Treatment. A sick cat is injected with maxidin (E.D. Ilchenko et al., 2001) in combination with fosprenil (according to the instructions) and gamavit, or Vitafel subcutaneously 3-4 times, or specific sera against feline picornaviruses, parvoviruses and herpes virus, 5 ml each per day (produced in France). Antibiotics: ampicillin (albipen LA) subcutaneously, 10-20 mg per kg of body weight per day, tetracycline (orally, 10 mg per kg of body weight 2 times a day).

The effectiveness of treatment with fosprenil and maksidin in combination with symptomatic therapy for these diseases approaches 100%.

Prevention. Timely vaccination with polyvalent vaccines Nobivac Tricat, multifel-4, quadricat, etc.

CALYCIVIRUS INFECTION (CALYCIVIROSIS)

Acute viral disease, accompanied by a sharp increase in temperature and damage to the respiratory tract. Pathogens are small RNA-containing non-enveloped viruses belonging to the Calicivirus genus of the Caliciviridae family. The name was given because of the characteristic cup-shaped recesses (from "calices" (lat.) - "calyx").

Infection occurs through contact with sick animals, as well as airborne droplets. Viruses multiply in the epithelial cells of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, as well as in the tonsils and submandibular lymph nodes. Kittens and young animals are more commonly affected. Cats that have recovered from illness acquire immunity for about six months, while neutralizing antibodies are found in their blood. Many cats remain carriers of caliciviruses, presenting a risk of infection to other animals.

The incubation period is very short: 1-4 days.

Symptoms: depression, intermittent fever, loss of appetite, emaciation, blanching of the mucous membranes, shortness of breath. Inflammation and ulceration of the tongue, lips and oral cavity (stomatitis), glossitis, rhinitis, serous conjunctivitis, and sometimes bilateral protrusion of the third eyelid develop. With the latter, photophobia appears, often the eyelids stick together due to the drying of pus on them. In the later stages, tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia are possible. Some strains of caliciviruses cause intermittent claudication, without evidence of oral ulceration.

Treatment. Maksidin and fosprenil are used in combination with symptomatic therapy, antibiotics and gamavit (aminovit-GM). At an early stage, Vitafel is effective. According to E. Dubrovina, drugs Aminovit and Cerebrolysin have a good therapeutic effect. The first drug should be used according to the instructions, and Cerebrolysin in doses of 0.2-0.3 ml, no more than once a day with clearly expressed neurological symptoms.

Diagnosis should put a veterinarian.

Prevention. Vaccination with polyvalent vaccines Nobivac Tricat, Multifel-4, etc. It is worth noting that when cats are co-immunized with rabies vaccines Nobivac Rabies and Nobivac Tricat, an increase in the immune response of animals to the calicivirus component of the vaccine is observed. It is also recommended to vaccinate cats with the feline influenza vaccine (a live or inactivated vaccine containing herpesvirus and calicivirus), but be aware that this live vaccine, given by subcutaneous injection, can sometimes cause infection if accidentally ingested through the nose. However, it should be borne in mind that there are 4 antigenic strains of caliciviruses distributed throughout the world. This means that if the vaccine contains only one strain of the pathogen, then it will not protect the animal from a possible infection caused by other strains of this virus.

CORONAVIRUS INFECTIONS

Coronaviruses are large (80–130 nm in diameter) pleomorphic RNA viruses that have a lipoprotein envelope. Along with toroviruses, these viruses belong to the order Nidovirales. On the surface of the shell are large, widely separated glycoprotein processes in the form of clubs. Coronaviruses got their name due to the similarity of these processes with corona spinarum - a crown of thorns, traditionally depicted around the head of Christ in medieval paintings. Surface glycoproteins of coronaviruses are resistant to proteases, high and low pH values.

Although the disease itself was first described almost 40 years ago (Holzworth, 1963), coronavirus infections in cats appeared in Russia only in the mid-1990s, but quickly became a real scourge for cattery owners. Coronaviruses cause two highly contagious diseases in cats, infectious peritonitis and coronavirus enteritis. Transmission of viruses occurs most often through feces, rarely through saliva.

If the coronavirus enteritis that usually occurs in kittens is relatively safe (it lasts 2-4 days, is accompanied mainly by diarrhea and is quite rarely fatal), then infectious peritonitis is fatal in most cases. This disease is especially dangerous for catteries, the incidence and mortality in which sometimes reaches 100%.

Coronavirus enteritis

A highly contagious disease caused by FECV - enteropathogenic coronaviruses. These viruses affect, first of all, the intestinal epithelium and cause in cats (mostly young animals get sick) enteritis, which proceeds relatively easily. In adult cats, the infection is usually asymptomatic. Animals that have been ill develop immunity, but chronic carriage of the virus has also been noted.

Diagnosis should put a veterinarian.

Symptoms: fever, intermittent vomiting and bloated abdomen, diarrhea (rare).

Infectious peritonitis (FIP)

This infection, commonly referred to as FIP (Feline infectious reitonitis), is known relatively recently, and the causative agent, coronavirus, was identified only in 1977. These coronaviruses (FIPVs) replicate at the villus tips of the intestinal epithelium or in the mesenteric lymph nodes after they infect macrophage-type mononuclear cells. The virulence of coronaviruses depends on their ability to infect peritoneal macrophages. Apparently, FIPV arose as a result of a deletion mutation in the FECV genome (Andrew S.E., 2000).

Kittens, young animals under the age of 2 years and older cats with a weakened immune system are most susceptible to the disease. The disease is transmitted mainly by the fecal-oral route, although the disease is also possible as a result of infection with FECV mutated into FIPV already in the body of the carrier cats themselves. The incubation period of the disease is 2-3 weeks. According to M.M. Rakhmanina and E.I. Elizbarashvili (1998), purebred cats are the most sensitive to this disease, especially when they are crowded. In North America, the disease is most often detected in non-neutered cats, and least often in spayed females (Rohrbach B.W. e.a. 2001). From sick animals, the virus is excreted into the environment for a long time along with feces (with saliva - rarely), and this feature usually occurs in kittens before seroconversion is observed. Isolation of the virus in the faeces in sick cats and carriers can be constant or intermittent (Addie D.D., Jarrett O., 2001).

Possibly asymptomatic carrier.

Symptoms. In sick cats, appetite decreases, the temperature rises to 40 ° C and above, diarrhea, vomiting, anemia, dehydration, weight loss, respiratory distress, and peritonitis develops, and the abdomen swells. Sometimes pleurisy is observed, rarely - orchitis, and a viral antigen is found in the damaged testicle (Sigurdardottir O.G., Kolbjornsen O., Lutz H., 2001).

There are two clinical forms of the disease: dry (non-exudative) and wet (exudative).

In the dry form, granulomatous enteritis is observed, characterized by the presence of dense, whitish-gray nodules in the ileum, caecum, and / or colon. The bowels appear hardened and hardened, full of nodules. At autopsy, a characteristic grayish coating, mucosal or fibrinous, is revealed on the surface of the intestine, liver and spleen. Vascular and perivascular lesions are very characteristic, especially of serous membranes, lymphocytic-plasmacytic inflammation of many internal organs. The liver, lungs and kidneys are often affected, the eyes (bilateral granulomatous uveitis, often accompanied by chorioretinitis) and the central nervous system can also be affected - sometimes complications in the form of focal meningitis and encephalomyelitis are observed, and paralysis of the hind limbs is possible.

Exudative (wet) peritonitis is the most severe clinical form, which quickly leads to death (duration 1-12 weeks). It is invariably characterized by ascites with copious fluid exudate (straw-colored viscous fluid in the abdomen), sometimes accompanied by pleural effusion. There is emaciation, anemia, fever, vomiting, diarrhea. As the accumulation of fluid in the body cavities increases, breathing becomes difficult, pericarditis and liver failure may develop. Damage to the blood capillaries of the whole organism (especially the abdominal cavity, brain, internal organs and lymph nodes), accompanied by the formation of immune complexes, leads to an increase in vascular permeability and fibrin deposits in the cavities. Necrogranulomatous lymphadenitis is often characteristic. Gross lesions include serofibrinous peritonitis with yellow transudate, as well as small nodules (granulomatous and/or necrotic) scattered over the surface of the liver and abdominal organs.

The disease very often ends in the death of the animal. Before death, paralysis of the hind limbs is sometimes noted, then to whom.

Before the arrival of the veterinarian, it is necessary to provide the sick animal with warmth, peace and good care.

Influence of immunity on the development of the disease

With a tense cellular immune response, the reproduction of viral particles in macrophages is suppressed, which usually leads to recovery of the cat. In contrast, a weak cell-mediated immune response causes the disease to become wet. With a cellular immune response of moderate intensity, a chronic dry form of infectious peritonitis is observed, which is characterized by a longer development - from 1 to 6 months (I. Gamet, 2000). It appears that seropositive cats are more susceptible to infection, in which the disease also manifests more acutely. This phenomenon is called antibody dependent amplification. Apparently, its mechanism is that antibodies, together with viral particles, form immune complexes that activate complement. The activation products of the latter themselves perform a destructive function and, in addition, contribute to an increase in the inflammatory response due to the increased formation of proteolytic enzymes by cells. Antibody-mediated opsonization is ineffective, and the virus is able to enter and replicate in macrophages despite the presence of neutralizing antibodies. In addition, it is believed that humoral immunity alone is not only not enough to protect the body from disease, but, on the contrary, the humoral response contributes to the aggravation of the infectious process, while cellular immunity performs a protective function (T.V. Maslennikova, 1998). There are quite numerous publications that in the presence of monoclonal antibodies against FIPV, an increase in the ability of coronaviruses to infect macrophages is observed. It has also been shown that monoclonal antibodies against the M-protein (a small integral membrane glycoprotein) of FIPV blocked the ability of viral particles to infect macrophages. In cats that have had a coronavirus infection, a high titer of antibodies against S-glycoprotein is detected, which is more than 30 times higher than the antibody titer in chronic carriers and in sick animals (Gonon V. ea, 1999). S-glycoprotein is located on the club-shaped processes of viral particles and it contains epitopes recognized by antibodies that both neutralize the virus and enhance its infectivity for macrophages (Kida K., ea, 1999). Curiously, the S gene of the canine coronavirus is closer to the analogous gene of the transmissible gastroenteritis virus than to the S gene of FIPV.

Treatment. Specific serums are not yet available. Effective injections of fosprenil according to the scheme of intensive care. Symptomatic treatment should be carried out in parallel with fosprenil: sulfocamphocaine, antibiotics and gamavit. According to A.A. Goryachev, the treatment based on the combined use of fosprenil and ozone therapy turned out to be extremely effective. Fosprenil was injected subcutaneously and rectally at 0.7 ml per cat once a week. The effectiveness of therapy was 95% (out of 21 cats cured 20), the diagnosis was confirmed in VGNKI. Therapeutic regimens based on the combined use of certain immunomodulators and antiviral drugs are also effective.

Prevention. Reliable vaccines have not yet been developed. The effectiveness of the American vaccine, which is administered intranasally, is low. It is imperative to disinfect the premises in which cats are kept, as well as cat hygiene items with a 3% solution of sodium hypochlorite, or ammonia, which destroy coronaviruses.

CAT FLU

A disease little studied so far, which has recently become quite widespread in our country. With this viral infection, the nasopharynx is first affected, and then the pathological process quickly captures the lungs. As a rule, only 2-3 days pass from the moment of infection to the defeat of the lungs. If untreated, mortality reaches 90% in adult animals and 100% in kittens.

Symptoms: serous and then purulent discharge from the nose, sneezing, nasopharyngeal mucosa swells, the cat sits with its mouth open. The temperature rises to 40-41оС.

Treatment: fosprenil in combination with symptomatic therapy, antibiotics and gamavit.

Prevention: avoid drafts and hypothermia, contact with sick cats or with carrier animals. At the slightest suspicion of such contact, give the cat fosprenil according to the instructions. Fosprenil will also protect the cat from infection at the cat show. Disinfect the area where cats are kept in a timely manner. Virkon is well suited for this purpose, but bleach should never be used, since chlorine vapors are poisonous.

Infection - air, discharge from the genitals, eyes, nose. Infection is transmitted through food, contact with people and insects.
The incubation period is 3…8 days.
Symptoms:

Acute form:

Inflammation of the conjunctiva. Rhinitis.
Ulcers on the tongue.
Mucosal hyperemia. Redness of the nose.
Temperature >40°C.

The acute form ends with recovery after a decade.

Chronic form:

Constipation.
Chronic rhinitis lasts for years.
Bronchitis develops into pneumonia
Skin ulcers appear.
The nervous system is affected.
Fix abortions, stillbirth.

Diagnosis - clinic, analyzes of nasal and eye secretions.

Generic antibiotics.
Sulfonamides.
Antihistamines.
B-group vitamins. Ascorbic acid.
Dietary nutrition consists in the use of liquid boiled feed.

Prevention - vaccination.

The disease affects the respiratory system. Get sick in the cold half of the year. The disease is characterized by the following symptoms:

The causative agent is calicivirus.

Carriers - sick cats, virus carriers.
Infection - through the air and by contact.
The incubation period is 1 ... 3 days.
Symptoms resemble signs of rhinotracheitis. Calicivirus is complicated by stomatitis, vision and respiratory diseases. The disease lasts 7 ... 21 days. Lethality - 30%.
Diagnosis - clinic, epizootic situation, blood tests. Observe anemia and leukopenia.
Treatment is symptomatic. Apply:

Generic antibiotics.
Sulfonamides.
Nitrofurans.
Vitamins A, C, B 12.
hyperimmune serum.
Diet food, as in leukopenia.

Prevention - vaccination.

cat flu

Co-infection with rhinotracheitis and calicivirus viruses.

Represents a problem for fellinologists who maintain a cattery. Among the many relatively harmless coronaviruses is a deadly one. The disease is difficult to diagnose. It resembles diseases of the brain, eyes, digestive organs and cardiovascular pathologies. Sick young animals up to two years old, old cats. Lethality is high. The disease is characterized by the following symptoms:

The causative agent is FIP coronavirus.
Carriers - sick and recovered cats.
Infection - through the air, discharge from the genitals, nose, eyes. Infection is transmitted through food, contact with people and insects.
The incubation period is 21 days.
Symptoms:

Temperature >40°C.
Symptoms of peritonitis.
Vomit.
Belly swollen.

Treatment is symptomatic. Apply universal antibiotics to destroy the associated microflora.
Prevention. Not developed.

Destroys the immune system, causes the development of cancer. The disease is characterized by the following symptoms:

The causative agent is FeLV.
Carriers - sick and recovered cats.
Infection - contact.
Symptoms:

Exhaustion.
Heat.
Starvation.
Lethargy.
Anemia.
Dermatitis.
Poor wound healing.

Forms of the disease. There are three options for the development of events, with an equal degree of probability:

The immune system produces antibodies, the cat recovers.
Asymptomatic virus carrier. The cat is dangerous to other animals. After a long time, the symptoms described above develop, the animal dies painfully.
Cancer progresses rapidly.

Diagnostics. Analysis for FeLV. If the result is positive, it is repeated after three months.

Treatment is symptomatic.
Prevention. Vaccination. Isolation from other infected cats.

This is the feline version of human HIV. The disease is characterized by the following symptoms:

The causative agent is the FIV virus.
Carriers - sick and recovered cats.
Infection - contact.
The incubation period is long.
Symptoms:

Exhaustion.
Heat.
Refusal to feed.
Lethargy.
Anemia.
Diarrhea.
encephalopathy.
Leukopenia.
Stomatitis, glossitis, gingivitis.
Tumor of the udder.
Rhinitis, conjunctivitis.
Pyoderma.
Dermatitis.
Wounds don't heal well.

Diagnostics. Serological tests for FIV.
Prevention. Isolation from sick cats.

The disease is characterized by the following symptoms:

The causative agent is the herpes virus.
It is transmitted intraplacentally.
The incubation period is 3 days.
Symptoms:

Depression.
Purulent conjunctivitis.
Keratitis.
Yellow-green diarrhea.
Ulcerative stomatitis.
Pneumonia.
Stillbirth.

Treatment is symptomatic.
Prevention - vaccination.

VIRAL INFECTIONS IN CATS

RABIES

Rabies or hydrophobia (hydrophobia) is an acute viral disease of the mammalian nervous system. It develops in cats or in humans bitten by a sick animal when saliva containing the rabies virus enters the wound. The most dangerous bites are in places containing the largest number of nerve endings (lips, nose, cheeks), since the pathogen moves along the nerve trunks in the central nervous system at a speed of about 3 mm per hour. Consequently, the development of the disease is directly dependent on the proximity of the bite site to the brain. Infection is also possible through contact with objects contaminated with infected saliva. In addition, there have been several cases of airborne infection of people from bats. True, it is worth noting that the rabies virus does not penetrate through intact skin (or mucous membranes). In animals infected with rabies, the excretion of the virus with saliva can begin 3-10 days before the onset of clinical signs of this terrible disease.

The virus of this deadly disease, very dangerous for the owner, belongs to the genus Lyssavirus of the family of RNA-containing rhabdoviruses and is transmitted with saliva when bitten by a rabid animal (fox, wolf, cat, dog, raccoon dog, hedgehog, bat). The rabies virus is easily destroyed at high temperatures and in the light, but is stable at low temperatures. It does not last long in the environment. The incubation period varies from 2 to 8 weeks, less often - longer, up to six months.

Symptoms. The first symptoms are loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, salivation, overexcitation, and unusual aggressiveness. Almost always, the disease in cats passes in a violent form. They attack the owner, they can attack any animal or person. Then, on the contrary, sick animals tend to retire, climb into dark corners (photophobia develops - photophobia) and violently resist any attempt to take them out. At the final stage, coordination of movements is disturbed, progressive paresis, paralysis appear, the cat lies more often. Death occurs when the animal is in a coma - approximately 2-4 days after the onset of clinical signs.

When making a diagnosis, the veterinarian must differentiate the disease with pseudorabies (Aueszky's disease).

At the slightest suspicion of rabies, the cat should be immediately isolated (locked in a separate room) without touching it and immediately report your suspicion to the nearest Pasteur or trauma center. If an animal has bitten or scratched you, you need to rinse and treat the wounds as quickly and thoroughly as possible - this dramatically reduces the risk of infection.

Reliable and effective treatments for rabies do not yet exist, so sick animals are euthanized.

AUJESKY'S DISEASE

A viral disease of rodents and domestic animals, also known under the names: pseudorabies, wilding, infectious bulbar palsy, itching plague, etc. The causative agent is Herpes suis, type 1 pig herpesvirus. The virus infects the skin and the central nervous system, causing paresis, paralysis of the limbs and death of animals. Young cats are more commonly affected. Infection often occurs from sick mice and rats that are caught and eaten by cats, as well as from feeding infected meat, or by direct contact of cats with infected piglets.

Of cats, kittens and young animals are more likely to get sick. Infection occurs through contact with infected pigs, by eating the meat of sick animals. The incubation period usually lasts 3-8 days, but the disease itself often ends in rapid death. The disease consists in inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, accompanied by severe local itching.

Symptoms. The disease occurs in cats in four forms:

Classic shape the course is characterized by initial excitement, followed by depression, anorexia, increased salivation, vomiting, increased thirst. The cat meows almost incessantly. Paralysis of the pharynx contributes to increased vomiting and salivation, and the saliva acquires a thick brown color. The cat licks its front paws, rubs its muzzle, eyes and pharynx, as if trying to get rid of a foreign body in the pharynx. Sometimes there is an expansion of one pupil. Characterized by severe itching in the lips, neck, front paws, and then - the whole body. The cat seeks to hide in a dark corner, where coma and death soon set in.

Atypical form The disease is characterized by blurred symptoms. They observe depression, impaired coordination of movements, hypersalivation (profuse salivation), the cat is depressed and does not meow. Death occurs within 1-2 days.

The third form of the disease is characterized as encephalitic. Symptoms with it are in many ways similar to the classic ones, in addition, aggressiveness, coordination disorder and paralysis are observed.

The fourth form, which is quite rare, is characterized mainly by symptoms gastroenteritis. It is accompanied by abdominal pain and vomiting. The course is extremely acute, and the death of cats occurs in a matter of hours.

When diagnosing, first of all, it is important to differentiate Aujeszky's disease from rabies.

The diagnosis should be made by a veterinarian, until the arrival of which contact with a sick animal should be limited until the suspicion of rabies is removed.

INFECTIOUS PANLEUCOPENIA

Panleukopenia is one of the most dangerous and contagious viral infections in cats. As you know, this is one of the most contagious diseases of viral origin, which is also called feline distemper, feline ataxia, feline fever, contagious agranulocytosis, or infectious parvovirus enteritis. The causative agent is a small DNA-containing parvovirus found in nasal saliva, urine and feces. Viruses that cause panleukopenia are very persistent (they persist in the crevices of the floor and furniture for more than a year), resistant to treatment with trypsin, phenol, chloroform, acids, and they spread not only through excrement, but also with water and food (in particular, through bowls for food) and even, according to some sources, through blood-sucking insects. The vertical route of transmission is also characteristic: from a sick mother to offspring. In recovered animals, virus-neutralizing antibodies in high titer are detected for a long time.

Since almost all organ systems are affected with panleukopenia, it can be difficult to recognize it immediately, since the symptoms are very diverse. The incubation period is usually 3-10 days. Most often, the disease is recorded in spring and autumn.

Symptoms. There are fulminant and acute forms of the disease. In the first case, the animals die suddenly, without any noticeable symptoms. The acute form of panleukopenia begins with lethargy, appetite suppression, a sudden and sharp rise in temperature to 40-41 ° C. Cats are thirsty but do not drink water. There is frequent yellowish vomiting, often with mucus. Later, diarrhea may develop with an admixture of blood (feces are very fetid), or, on the contrary, constipation is observed. On the skin, the appearance of reddish spots is sometimes noted, which grow and turn into pustules filled with serous fluid. After drying, grayish-brown crusts form. With respiratory complications, mucopurulent discharge from the eyes is observed. Bradycardia and/or arrhythmia are also observed. Animals tend to retire in a secluded place, lie on their stomachs, stretching out their limbs. Sometimes they sit for a long time over drinking, but do not drink, perhaps because of severe nausea.

The disease affects all organs (primarily the gastrointestinal tract, nervous, respiratory systems and bone marrow) and is terrible for its complications. Without treatment, an animal (most often kittens and young cats get sick) can die in a few days, usually 4-5. If the disease persists for 9 days or more, cats usually survive and acquire lifelong immunity, but may remain carriers of the virus for a very long time. Therefore, a mother who has been ill can infect her offspring.

The diagnosis is confirmed by a blood test, in which there is a pronounced leukopenia (a decrease in the number of leukocytes in 1 liter of blood to 3-5x109 or less) - agranulocytosis, then neutropenia and lymphopenia.

If panleukopenia is suspected, in no case do not give analgin to the cat!

Prevention. To prevent cat distemper, timely vaccination of kittens with polyvalent vaccines may be recommended.

HERPES

The causative agent of this infection is a DNA-containing herpes virus with a lipoprotein envelope. Respiratory herpes virus infection in 1-2 month old kittens was first identified in the US in 1958. Cases have also been described when herpesvirus infection leads to abortions and / or the birth of a dead offspring.

Symptoms: depression, anorexia, fever, purulent conjunctivitis, keratitis, sometimes bilateral protrusion of the third eyelid, diarrhea (usually yellowish-green), oral ulceration, tracheitis, in severe cases, pneumonia is possible. Herpesvirus encephalitis has also been described.

INFECTIOUS RHINOTRACHEITIS

Infectious rhinotracheitis (viral rhinitis) is a contagious disease that occurs in cats of any age. It is most often caused by certain viruses of the herpes group, as well as caliciviruses and reoviruses. The DNA-containing feline rhinotracheitis virus, belonging to the group of herpesviruses, has a lipoprotein envelope and is sensitive to treatment with chloroform and acids. Infection occurs through the respiratory tract. Incubation period: 2-4 days. These diseases affect the mouth, nose, eyes and respiratory organs. The disease can be complicated by keratoconjunctivitis and pneumonia. Among kittens under 6 months of age, mortality reaches 30%, while adult cats usually recover, however, an infection caused by one of these viruses can be complicated by the development of another viral infection (or even several infections), and then mortality can reach 80%. Most of the recovered animals remain virus carriers, and the process of isolating contagious viral particles increases significantly under stressful conditions.

Symptoms. The main signs of the disease are lethargy, loss of appetite, cough, photophobia, purulent discharge from the nose and eyes, glossitis, ulcerative stomatitis, profuse salivation, fever. Ulceration is observed on the mucous membrane of the tongue and palate.

Create a calm environment for the sick animal, keep it warm, give warm milk and liquid food.

Prevention. Timely vaccination with polyvalent vaccines.

CALYCIVIRUS INFECTION (CALYCIVIROSIS)

Acute viral disease, accompanied by a sharp increase in temperature and damage to the respiratory tract. The causative agents are small RNA-containing non-enveloped viruses. Infection occurs through contact with sick animals, as well as airborne droplets. Viruses multiply in the epithelial cells of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, as well as in the tonsils and submandibular lymph nodes. Kittens and young animals are more commonly affected. Cats that have recovered from illness acquire immunity for about six months, while neutralizing antibodies are found in their blood. Many cats remain carriers of caliciviruses, presenting a risk of infection to other animals.

The incubation period is very short: 1-4 days.

Symptoms: depression, intermittent fever, loss of appetite, emaciation, blanching of the mucous membranes, shortness of breath. Inflammation and ulceration of the tongue, lips and oral cavity (stomatitis), glossitis, rhinitis, serous conjunctivitis, and sometimes bilateral protrusion of the third eyelid develop. With the latter, photophobia appears, often the eyelids stick together due to the drying of pus on them. In the later stages, tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia are possible. Some strains of caliciviruses cause intermittent claudication, without evidence of oral ulceration.

Prevention. Vaccination with polyvalent vaccines. However, it should be borne in mind that there are 4 antigenic strains of caliciviruses distributed throughout the world. This means that if the vaccine contains only one strain of the pathogen, then it will not protect the animal from a possible infection caused by other strains of this virus.

CORONAVIRUS INFECTIONS

Coronaviruses are large (80–130 nm in diameter) pleomorphic RNA viruses that have a lipoprotein envelope. On the surface of the shell are large, widely separated glycoprotein processes in the form of clubs. Coronaviruses got their name due to the similarity of these processes with corona spinarum - a crown of thorns, traditionally depicted around the head of Christ in medieval paintings. Surface glycoproteins of coronaviruses are resistant to proteases, high and low pH values.

Coronaviruses cause two highly contagious diseases in cats, infectious peritonitis and coronavirus enteritis. Transmission of viruses occurs most often through feces, rarely through saliva.

Coronavirus enteritis

Symptoms: fever, intermittent vomiting and swollen abdomen, diarrhea (rare).

The diagnosis must be made by a veterinarian.

Infectious peritonitis (FIP)

This infection, commonly referred to as FIP (Feline infectious reitonitis), is known relatively recently, and the virus that causes it was identified only in 1977. The causative agents are coronaviruses (FIPV), which multiply at the tips of the intestinal epithelium villi or in the mesenteric lymph nodes after they infect macrophage-type mononuclear cells. The virulence of coronaviruses depends on their ability to infect peritoneal macrophages.

Possibly asymptomatic carrier.

Symptoms. In sick cats, appetite decreases, the temperature rises to 40 ° C and above, diarrhea, vomiting, anemia, dehydration, weight loss, respiratory distress and peritonitis develop, the stomach swells. Sometimes there is pleurisy, rarely - orchitis, and a viral antigen is found in the damaged testicle.

There are two clinical forms of the disease: dry(non-exudative) and wet(exudative).

Exudative (wet) peritonitis is the most severe clinical form, which quickly leads to death (duration 1-12 weeks). It is invariably characterized by ascites with copious fluid exudate (straw-colored viscous fluid in the abdomen), sometimes accompanied by pleural effusion. There is emaciation, anemia, fever, vomiting, diarrhea. As the accumulation of fluid in the body cavities increases, breathing becomes difficult, pericarditis and liver failure may develop. Damage to the blood capillaries of the whole organism (especially the abdominal cavity, brain, internal organs and lymph nodes), accompanied by the formation of immune complexes, leads to an increase in vascular permeability and fibrin deposits in the cavities. Necrogranulomatous lymphadenitis is often characteristic. Macroscopic lesions include serofibrinous peritonitis with yellow transudate, as well as small nodules (granulomatous and/or necrotic) scattered over the surface of the liver and abdominal organs.

The disease very often ends in the death of the animal. Before death, paralysis of the hind limbs is sometimes noted, then to whom.

Before the arrival of the veterinarian, it is necessary to provide the sick animal with warmth, peace and good care.

Influence of immunity on the development of the disease

With a tense cellular immune response, the reproduction of viral particles in macrophages is suppressed, which usually leads to recovery of the cat. In contrast, a weak cell-mediated immune response causes the disease to become wet. With a cellular immune response of moderate intensity, a chronic dry form of infectious peritonitis is observed, which is characterized by a longer development - from 1 to 6 months. It appears that seropositive cats are more susceptible to infection, in which the disease also manifests more acutely. This phenomenon is called antibody dependent amplification. Apparently, its mechanism is that antibodies, together with viral particles, form immune complexes that activate complement. The activation products of the latter themselves perform a destructive function and, in addition, contribute to an increase in the inflammatory response due to the increased formation of proteolytic enzymes by cells. Antibody-mediated opsonization is ineffective, and the virus is able to enter and replicate in macrophages despite the presence of neutralizing antibodies. In addition, it is believed that humoral immunity alone is not only insufficient to protect the body from disease, but, on the contrary, the humoral response contributes to the aggravation of the infectious process, while cellular immunity performs a protective function (, 1998). There are quite numerous publications that in the presence of monoclonal antibodies against FIPV, an increase in the ability of coronaviruses to infect macrophages is observed. It has also been shown that monoclonal antibodies against the M-protein (a small integral membrane glycoprotein) of FIPV blocked the ability of viral particles to infect macrophages. In cats that have had a coronavirus infection, a high titer of antibodies against S-glycoprotein is detected, which is more than 30 times higher than the antibody titer in chronic carriers and in sick animals (Gonon V. e. a., 1999). S-glycoprotein is located on the club-shaped processes of viral particles and epitopes are present on it that are recognized by antibodies that both neutralize the virus and enhance its infectivity for macrophages (Kida K., e. a., 1999). It is curious that the S-gene of the canine coronavirus is closer to the analogous gene of the transmissible gastroenteritis virus than to the S-gene of FIРV (“Traditional and non-traditional methods of treating cats”, Moscow, 2002).

Prevention. Reliable vaccines have not yet been developed. The effectiveness of the American vaccine, which is administered intranasally, is low. It is imperative to disinfect the premises in which cats are kept, as well as cat hygiene items with a 3% solution of sodium hypochlorite, or ammonia, which destroy coronaviruses.

CAT FLU

Symptoms: serous and then purulent discharge from the nose, sneezing, nasopharyngeal mucosa swells, the cat sits with its mouth open. The temperature rises to 40-41оС.

Prevention: Avoid drafts and hypothermia, contact with sick cats or carrier animals. At the slightest suspicion of such contact, give the cat fosprenil according to the instructions. Disinfect the area where cats are kept in a timely manner. Virkon is well suited for this purpose, but bleach should never be used, since chlorine vapors are poisonous.

FEline Viral Leukemia

Feline leukemia is an extremely common viral disease characterized by immunodeficiency, progressive anemia, often myelodysplastic syndrome, malnutrition, urinary tract infections, fibrosarcoma, and mammary tumors.

The causative agent of leukemia is FeLV (Feline leukemia virus) - an RNA-containing enveloped retrovirus that exists in 3 serotypes - A, B and C. Only FeLV serotype A affects cats (dogs and people are not sensitive to it), which is responsible for the development of lymphosarcoma. FeLV-B provoke the development of other neoplasms, and FeLV-C is often found in animals suffering from anemia. Infection occurs through contact with sick cats (by licking, biting, etc.) or with animals that are carriers (often asymptomatic) of this retrovirus, through dishes, mother's milk, there is a possibility of intrauterine transmission, and the possibility of transmission through bloodsucking ticks and insects. Newborn kittens in contact with sick animals become infected in almost 100% of cases. Infection is often co-infected with another retrovirus, the feline immunodeficiency virus. Primary reproduction occurs in the tonsils, from where the virus spreads to other lymphoid organs, as well as to the bone marrow. In the blood and saliva, FeLV appears about a month after infection. A few months after the onset of the disease in some cats, the virus may disappear from the blood and saliva, but it remains in the bone marrow and in T-cells of the spleen and lymph nodes, where there are ideal conditions for massive reproduction (this is the so-called latent, or latent carriage). Using polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical methods, FeLV was also detected in the cornea of the eyes of most FeLV-positive cats. Under stressful situations, immunosuppressive effects and secondary infections, the virus can become activated, causing a relapse of the disease, in which FeLV is again detected in the blood and saliva. The persistence of the leukemia virus in the bone marrow and in recovered animals was shown. In 85% of cases, the clinical picture of the disease manifests itself three years after infection.

Most often, the disease occurs in the form of lymphosarcoma, in particular, thymus. At the same time, progressive atrophy of the thymus develops and immunosuppression increases, neutropenia is detected. Sometimes the disease occurs in the form of myeloid leukemia. Affected cats are particularly susceptible to other viral as well as bacterial and fungal infections.

Symptoms. The cat is exhausted, fever, anorexia, drowsiness, pallor of the mucous membranes, glossitis, stomatitis, breast tumors, glomerulonephritis, skin diseases (demodecosis, sarcoptic mange), secondary infections are noted. There are growing signs of immunodeficiency: anemia, decreased hematocrit, atrophy of the thymus, lymph nodes.

There are several options for the course of infection:

In about 30% of cases, the body produces antibodies and the animal overcomes the viral infection;

In 40% of cases, asymptomatic carriage of FeLV is possible - such cats are the most dangerous source of infection for other cats, but over time, most of them develop one of the diseases characteristic of the leukemia virus due to progressive damage to the immune system;

Viral infection leads to the development of severe neoplastic diseases of the lymphoid organs (lymphomas, lymphosarcomas).

In the diagnosis of particular importance is the detection of p27 viral antigen in the blood serum using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or immunofluorescent analysis. Recent data suggest that FeLV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes play a critical role in determining the outcome of FeLV infection in vaccinated cats or in animals recovering from a naturally acquired disease.

Therapy is aimed primarily at suppressing secondary infections. Antibiotics, immunostimulants, corticosteroid hormones, gamavit, B vitamins, blood transfusion are recommended. With lymphosarcoma, leukemia - chemotherapy. There is evidence of improvement in the condition of affected cats after monotherapy with staphylococcal protein A, while combination therapy with interferon alpha did not lead to improvement. When carrying out a blood transfusion procedure, it should be borne in mind that cats have a unique system of blood groups: A, B and AB. Blood type O in cats, unlike humans, is absent. The A allele is dominant over the B allele, so cats with blood type B are necessarily homozygous for allele B, while cats with blood type A can be either homozygous or heterozygous for allele A. The vast majority of cats have blood type A (and such breeds as Siamese and Burmese blood, animals are still found only with the blood of group A). Among British Shorthair cats, about 40% of the population has blood type B. Approximately 35% of cats with blood type A have low titers of circulating anti-B antibodies. On the contrary, almost all cats of group B (93%) have circulating anti-A antibodies in high titers; the hemolyzing and agglutinating activity of these antibodies may underlie transfusion incompatibility during primary blood transfusion or during alloimmunization in the fetus-mother system.

Prevention. Kittens born to cats vaccinated with the recombinant vaccine acquire colostral passive immunity with mother's milk. After 2-3 months, after determining the antibody titer in the ELISA, it is advisable to vaccinate the kittens. For this purpose, in a number of Western countries, the associated lekat vaccine or a live recombinant vaccine is used. It was shown that the effectiveness of a DNA vaccine consisting of plasmids expressing the gag/rol genes, as well as env of the FeLV virus, sharply increased when kittens were vaccinated together with plasmids encoding feline IL-12, IL-18, or interferon-γ.

Try not to take new cats into the house until they have been tested twice, with an interval of 2 months, for the presence of FeLV antigen in the blood. Periodically disinfect rooms where cats are kept with a 3% sodium hypochlorite solution or Vircon.

FEline IMMUNODEFICIENCY (FIV)

Feline immunodeficiency is a severe viral infection caused by the T-lymphotropic feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus). The causative agent is an RNA-containing lentivirus from the family of retroviruses, first isolated in the USA in 1986. Like another retrovirus, FeLV, FIV has a reverse transcriptase, a unique enzyme, with the help of which the genetic information of the virus, encoded in RNA, is transcribed onto the DNA molecule of the host cell .

Infection occurs vertically (in utero), but most often through direct contact with sick cats or FIV-carrying animals. Quite often, infection occurs through bites, so male cats are more susceptible to the disease than females. As a rule, adult animals get sick. The infection is common in domestic cats, with only a few reports of FIV in feral cats. Often the disease occurs in conjunction with viral leukemia or toxoplasmosis. Affected cats are particularly susceptible to other viral as well as bacterial and fungal infections, carrying Notoedres, Cheyletiella and Demodex mites, as well as lung nematode infestations such as Carillaria aerophila. The disease is characterized by a long incubation period, from 2-3 months to several years, during which the virus can be detected in the blood, saliva and cerebrospinal fluid, then the disease becomes acute. Infection can lead to the development of oncological diseases (lymphosarcoma and leukemia, bone marrow tumor, multicentric fibrosarcoma) or have other manifestations (immunodeficiency, anemia, impaired reproduction of livestock, and enteritis, which is called pseudo-panleukopenia).

Symptoms. Primary infection with FIV during the first two months is accompanied by a pronounced accumulation of virions, which, due to the development of the body's immune response of the humoral type, decreases. During the long phase of the latent course typical of lentiviruses, animals show a positive serological reaction, but there are no clinical signs of the disease. In the terminal phase of the disease, which is characterized by a decrease in antibody titer due to progressive destruction of immunocompetent cells and, naturally, with an increase in virus replication, feline immunodeficiency syndrome has a general clinical picture: fever, anorexia, lethargy, anemia, diarrhea, often encephalopathy, neurodegeneration, generalized persistent lymphadenopathy (GPL) and leukopenia; the so-called "feline AIDS" syndrome develops - the number of helper T-lymphocytes decreases, the number of cells in the thymus decreases, the number of dendritic cells decreases, cell apoptosis increases, lymph nodes increase in size, chronic secondary infections develop, skin diseases, stomatitis, glossitis, disorders of the genitourinary system, lesions of the central nervous system.Inhibition of bone marrow hematopoiesis is characteristic.The disease can lead to cachexia.Secondary infections that occur with immunodeficiency are localized in the oral cavity in 50% (stomatitis, gingivitis).Localization in the nasal cavity or eyes accounts for 30% of cases (rhinitis , conjunctivitis) and 15% note the skin form (pyodermatitis, abscess, demodicosis, scabies, otitis and poor wound healing in the postoperative period).

In the diagnosis, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method are the most effective. It should be borne in mind that in kittens with colostral immunity that have received specific antibodies in mother's milk, the result of the ELISA test may be false positive. On the contrary, in the early stages of infection, when FIV has not yet appeared in the blood, the test results may be false negative.

Treatment is ineffective and is aimed mainly at suppressing secondary infections. Antibiotics, immunostimulants, gamavit, B vitamins are recommended. Thymus viremia is reduced with the use of zidovudine, a drug used to treat human AIDS. There is evidence of a positive therapeutic effect of recombinant human erythropoietin, subcutaneous injections of which in cats chronically infected with FIV an increase in the number of erythrocytes, an increase in hematocrit and the amount of hemoglobin.An increase in the number of lymphocytes, neutrophils and other leukocytes was noted after injection of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor into infected cats.An inhibitory effect on FIV of recombinant feline IL-16, under the influence of which the production of viral glycoprotein p24 peripheral blood lymphocytes infected with FIV Zurich 2 in vitro was suppressed by 87%.

Prevention. An effective vaccine against this infection has not yet been developed, so the best prevention is to avoid contact with sick cats or animals carrying the virus.