PANSYSTEMIC DISEASES
DeeDee Schumacher CVT, VTS (ECC)& Jeannie Stall, R.V.T.
Credits: Alleice SummersClip Art /Google images
Pansystemic Disease
Involve multiple body systems in addition to the primary target organ.
Causes Viral Bacterial Parasitic
Canine Distemper
Dogs & other carnivoresTransmission : Via aerosolized body
secretions Highly contagious / Fairly easy to
kill Many strains of the virus Causes immunosuppression then
secondary infectionsTreatment : None, just supportive therapy
Canine Distemper
Clinical Signs Fever Cough Nasal & ocular discharge Pneumonia Vomiting Diarrhea Dehydration Seizures Ataxia
Canine Distemper
Vaccine only preventionPrognosis guarded - (esp. if neuro problems present)Neuro issues can present weeks - yrs post infection
Canine Distemper
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Canine Parvovirus
Very resistant virus - can survive for yrs. in environment Via fecal-oral transmissionInvades rapidly dividing cells :
Lymph system GI tract Bone marrow
Black & tan breeds more susceptible
Canine Parvovirus
Clinical signs Lethargy Anorexia Vomiting Bloody diarrhea Fever Dehydration Death
Canine Parvovirus
Vaccine only preventionKeep puppies isolated until final vaccine: Avoid visits to dog parks, pet stores……
Trt: Supportive treatment only Infected animals require isolation ward: Step in/step out pans Protective gowns
Canine Parvovirus
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Rickettsioses
Small, Gram - , Obligate, intracellular bacteria Dogs
Rickettsiae Ehrlichiae
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
RickettsiiInduces vascular endothelial injury
Inflammation Necrosis Increased vascular permeability
Ticks: Dermacentor variabilis Dermacentro adersoni
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Clinical signs Edema Hypotension Shock Arrhythmias Seizures Coma ARF
Dx : Direct immunofluorescent test in skin/
tissue Hx of tick exposure
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Tx :Rx Tetracycline Doxycycline
Ehrlichia
Ehrlichia canis via tick: Rhipicephalus sanguineusDisease
Acute:2-4 weeksOrganism multiplies and is transported to other organs
Subclinical6-9 weeks after infection+/- signs
ChronicBone marrow suppression
Ehrlichia
Clinical signs : Anemia Depression Anorexia Fever Dyspnea CNS signs Bleeding tendencies
Dx : Positive indirect immunoflorescent antibody testTx: Rx Tetracycline or Doxyclicline Supportive care
Ehrlichia
Lyme ( Borreliosis )
Borrelia burgdorferi via tick:Ixodes sp./ Requires attachment for 48
hoursSymptoms:
FeverAnorexiaLameness
Dx : Via + ELISA test
Lyme
Tx :Rx Doxyclycline but not always effective…..Anti-inflammatory medsVx : Endemic areas & dog’s “life-style” due to tick
exposure: Hunting , timber walks,
camping
Rabies
All warm blooded animalsViral- induced neurologic dz.
Hosts:Raccoons / Skunks / Bats / Foxes / Coyotes
Transmission : Saliva via mucous membranes,
bites, open wounds
Rabies
Incubation time :3-8 weeks (from exposure to symptoms) Enters nerve endings @ bite /wound, ascends the nerve to the brain, where it multiplies then travels along nerves to salivary glands & enters saliva
Rabies
3 stages: Prodromal
Changes in behavior ie: “Friendly” wild animals Fearful
Excitative (furious)Hyperactive/aggressive Dazed stupor = “Dumb “ form of rabies
ParalyticAscending hind limb paralysis progesses to resp. failure & death
Rabies
No cure ***ZOONOTIC***
Clin. signs: Behavior changes
Difficulty swallowing HypersalivationAtaxiaDepression/stupor
Rabies
Dx. : Postmortem exam of brain onlyMust include brain stem / Not frozen tissues
Vx’d pet exposed = Re-vx. & watch for 90 days
Unvaccinated animal exposed:Euthanasia or Strict isolation x 6
months
Quarantine periods vary
Rabies Virus
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Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (Feline Herpes Virus)
Highly contagious upper respiratory virus
Still prevalent inspite of available vaccines
Transmission via : Aerosolization / Direct contact
Virus not hardy -- Inactivated in environment within
18-24 hrs.
Can shed virus up to 3 wks. after infection
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (Feline Herpes Virus)
Clin. Signs:SneezingConjunctivitisNasal dischargeFever AnorexiaDepressionCorneal ulcers
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (Feline Herpes Virus)
Tx.: Supportive therapy Anorexic- (Can’t smell food so won’t eat) Antiviral therapy for ocular infections Vaccine best prevention
People can transmit virus to other cats on clothes ,
etc…..
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (Feline Herpes Virus)
Feline Calicivirus
Highly contagious upper resp. virus Ulcerative stomatitis common Hardy, resistant virus
Disinfectants don’t kill readily & can
live in environment for days
Transmission : Direct contact with infected cats
Feline Calicivirus
Clin. signs :Fever Ocular & nasal discharge Mild conjunctivitis Oral ulcers PneumoniaIn kittens, acute arthritis- a.k.a. “Limping kitten syndrome”
Feline Calicivirus
Trt: Supportive care only Vaccinations are the best
preventionClinical signs last ~ 5-7 days Oral ulcers last 7
days Anorexia a problem -- If cat can’t
smell food, won’t eat food……….
Feline Calicivirus
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Feline Distemper (Panleukopenia/parvo virus)
Closely related to K-9 ParvovirusTransmission : Direct contact Contaminated
environmentVirus remains in environment for years Incubation period : 4 - 5 days Exposure to
symptoms
Feline Distemper (Panleukopenia/parvo virus)
Clinical Signs:Fever Depression Vomiting Diarrhea Dehydration Anorexia Abortion
Feline Distemper (Panleukopenia/parvo virus)
Trt : Supportive therapy Force feed ( after vomiting is
controlled ) Rx Broad-spectrum abx
Post – virus “surviver” has lifelong immunity
Vaccinations are best prevention
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
“Feline AIDS “ ( lentivirus )
Intact males living outdoors ( “Mail” cat )
Transmission : Fighting / bite
wounds Vaccine may cause cats to test positive
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
Clin. signs :History of recurrent illnesses Anorexia / Stomatitis /
Chronic URIDiarrhea / Vomiting / Chronic
fever
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
Keep infected cats indoors & stress-free
Casual contact transmission unlikely
No specific treatment / No human risk
Vaccine available
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
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Feline Leukemia Virus
Retrovirus / Unstable in environment
Transmission via close contact:
Horizontal transmission – Sick cat to well cat
Urine, saliva , tears, fighting, grooming, bowls, etc…
Vertical – Poss. via parent?? Transplacental Transmammary - milk
Feline Leukemia Virus
ELISA test:Positive cats should be retested in 3-4
months
May remain in good health for a long time
Keep infected cats indoors: < stress < exposure to other dz. < transmission to others
Feline Leukemia Virus
Clin. signs :Fever / Anorexia / Wt. loss /
AnemiaSecondary infections /
Vomiting Diarrhea / Abortion / Renal
diseaseNeuro problems
Feline Leukemia Virus
Isolate infected cats & reduce stress
No treatment
Vx. infected cats for other diseases
Feline Leukemia Virus
Feline Infectious Peritonitis
Requires exposure to feline corona virus
(virus mutates) Virus sheds intermittedly Inactivated in environment by
disinfectants Issue for catteries / ++++ multi-
cat homes Highly contagious !!! Transmission via : Feces /
Urine / Saliva
Feline Infectious Peritonitis
Two forms of this dz.: “Wet “:
75% of cases
Effusive form has perivasculitisProtein-rich fluid accumulation in chest/ abd.
Faster progression of dz. than the dry form
“Dry “: 45% of non-effusive cases have ocular & neuro problems
Feline Infectious Peritonitis
“Wet” form clinical signs :Ascites Pleural effusion Anorexia Depression Weight loss Dehydration
Feline Infectious Peritonitis
“Dry” form clin. signs:Fever (unknown origin) Anorexia Depression Weight loss Ocular lesions Neuro signs
Feline Infectious Peritonitis
Trt : Supportive careAspirate fluids / Rx Steroids daily Rx Broad spectrum abx
Prevention is best :Isolate infected cats Don’t breed infected queens !!! + / - Vaccinate negative cats ??
( Vx. only effective when given to cat not prev. exposed to feline coronavirus)
Feline Infectious Peritonitis
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasma gondii : Intracellular coccidianFeline only definitive host , but
other warm blooded animals (humans, too)
can be intermediate hosts
~ 30% - 60% of adults have been exposed
Toxoplasmosis
Transmission via:
Fecal - oral
Transplacental
Eating contaminated meat of intermed. host
ToxoplasmosisSporulated oocysts are ingested & tachyzoites form which then
invade body tissues Cat
Eye Lung
Dog ( rarely occur ) GI Neuro Respiratory
Host cat sheds oocysts for 1-2 weeks Undercooked meat > exposure risk
!!!
Clinical signs of Toxo
Dependent upon which tissue was invaded …. Anorexia / Lethargy / Fever / Wt. Loss
Diarrhea / Vomiting / Icterus ( jaundice )
Lameness / Resp. issues / Pancreatic issues
Anterior uveitis / Glaucoma / CNS issues
Sudden death
Toxoplasmosis
Immunocompromised or Pregnant : Requires someone else to change litterbox daily w/ hot H2O rinse
weekly
Dx:Difficult since so many people are
exposedNo long term shedding of oocysts (~
1-2 wks)
Tx: Rx Clindamycin ( BID x 2 -3
weeks )