Context:
In the last one month, seven leopard cubs at Bannerghatta Biological Park in Bengaluru have died after being infected by the feline panleukopenia virus.
Relevance:
GS II: Health
Feline Panleukopenia Virus (Feline Distemper):
- Feline Panleukopenia Virus is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cats.
- It is also commonly referred to as Feline Distemper, and it poses a severe and often fatal threat to infected cats.
- The virus targets rapidly dividing cells in the cat’s body, including those in the bone marrow, intestines, skin, and even developing fetuses.
Symptoms:
- Once a cat becomes infected with the Feline Panleukopenia Virus, the disease primarily impacts the intestines.
- Common symptoms include severe diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration, which can ultimately lead to the cat’s demise.
- The virus spreads rapidly, and infected cats typically succumb to the disease within four to five days.
Treatment:
- Currently, there is no specific treatment available for Feline Panleukopenia.
- Dehydration resulting from the disease is managed through aggressive intravenous fluid therapy.
- Clinical signs such as vomiting and diarrhea are treated with prescription medications.
- In some cases, antibiotic therapy may be administered to combat secondary bacterial infections, particularly when white blood cell counts are low.
-Source: The Hindu
