Cat Distemper (panluekopenia) Survivors: Help!!

I have two lovely 7-month old cats. A male and female. They were very healthy, happy kittens until one month ago when they both started to have diarrhea. Long story short, the male became very ill 4 days ago (hanging his head over the water bowl & vomiting a frothy yellow liquid), and was diagnosed with panleukopenia virus (or Feline Distemper). We didn't vaccinate them. Lesson learned.

Buddy (the male) has spent 3 nights at the vet and we are praying he survives on the supportive care he is receiving (IV, antibiotics, and homeopathic medicine). The report today is that he is still not eating or drinking, so will have to stay another night. The vet says that every moment he survives is a good sign that his immune system is recovering ~ but I wonder about this. 

I have a couple of questions for anyone out there who has been lucky enough to see a cat fight off Feline Distemper and survive: 

1) How long, in your experience, does a healthy cat require supportive care? I've read that if a cat survives the first 48 hours, it has a "good chance" of surviving ~ but that doesn't say much, does it. How long did you have your kitty on IV before they started to recover?

2) The other cat, a female, a tiny, feisty little thing ~ is not showing any of Buddy's symptoms yet. Her diarrhea has gone away and the only abnormal behavior is her attachment to me, which I take as a sign that she is missing Buddy. Is it possible for some cats to beat this virus without showing any symptoms? Or is it just a matter of time. They share everything ~ so I'm positive that if Buddy has the virus, she does as well.

3) What is the best care I can give Buddy if/when he recovers and comes home from the vet? I'm worried that his immune system will still be very weak, so I'm thinking hand-feeding and encouraging him to drink water, keeping him warm, and showering him with a lot of TLC. Any other specific advice you can give to help him get strong?

4) After beating the virus, how long did it take until your kitty was back to normal? Buddy was a very playful, healthy cat, who loved to play with bottle caps (his favorite toy) and climb trees. Seeing him with this virus, I'm worried he will never be the same again. How long will it take until I have my old Buddy back? 

Thanks everyone!

Here's a photo of Buddy (left) & Bastét 

I don't have any first hand knowledge about feline distemper.  I have had some experience with the parvo virus in dogs.  I know as cats and dogs get older they are less likely to get sick from the parvo virus.  At seven months your other cat could well be one of the ones that is old enough to not get very sick with the virus.  She could still be contagious though.  I have also heard that after 2 days the chances of recovery increases considerably.  You were able to keep him at a vet clinic on an IV and that greatly increases the chances of survival as does his being 7 months old.  Small kittens and puppies very rarely survive.  I know with puppies that do survive parvo it takes several weeks for them to be completely back to themselves.  Both of them, I am assuming that your little girl also has it with few symptoms, will continue to shed the virus for about 6 weeks.

Thanks Denice, 

Any advice on how to treat Buddy after he gets back from the vet? We can't afford much more of the intensive care he is receiving, so will need to take him out in a few days, whether he is eating or not. Hopefully his immune system will be strong enough to fight off the virus for good by then and want to make sure we do everything we can at home to make sure his recovery is smooth and swift.

Hopefully he will be eating and drinking when he comes home.  If he needs more food than he is eating or he isn't eating then you will need to syringe feed him.  The vet should be able to show you how, there are also several videos on youtube and one here showing how to do it.  The main thing is to put it in the side of his mouth and go slow.  I would ask the vet about a prescription food called Hills A/D.  If they carry Royal Canin their brand is called Recovery.  It's a little pricey but it is both nutrient and calorie dense.  You will need to make sure he is staying hydrated and giving water by syringe is a little trickier but it can be done.  If he is still really sick you can give sub-q fluids at home.  If he still needs that the vet can show you how to do it.

The main thing is the same as people getting over a virus.  Keep him warm and eating and drinking enough.

I'm sorry to hear about your kitty.

I am an extremely compassionate person, but have a way of 'telling it like it is' more or less, and don't want to hurt you by this.

I have dealt with panleuk once here in my home/cat room after a foster showed up at my door with her sick kittens, I was late getting to my shop, so my daughter took over, and, although she thoroughly washed her hands, she did not change her shirt, and later went out to my cat room and gave meds.......

I was amazed that this foster did NOT quarrantine this litter of kittens, she's a vet tech and KNOWS better! Or so I thought...tough lesson for her, she also lost her 1 1/2 yr old cat sadly. (who was unvaccinated to boot!!) Go figure people. Not to mention I paid the $550. vet bill for him.

But I have dealt with panleuk several more times from fosters, so I'm pretty familiar with this ugly/deadly illness.

I have never had a cat/kitten survive.

I have heard/read that a few can survive, but from my experiences, I feel that the survivors may have been misdiagnosed, since vets mostly use symptoms for diagnosis, as the testing is inaccurate. (which I have also had, cat tested negative and passed the next day!)

This being said, reports have all stated, a few can survive, so I would think depending on just how early he started recieving supportive care will help determine the outcome.

Brace yourself, and if by chance he does infact survive, he will improve all on his own, being fed properly, a nutritional, higher calorie/meat protein based canned food diet. As the vet is doing, hydration is number one in the supportive care he needs.

It will be just like he is recovering from any virus, but this is a biggie. So in time he will be fine, and yes, he would be back to his old self fairly soon.

I wish you the best luck with him, and yes, you can count on your other kitty coming down with the symptoms.

Do NOT allow any other cats into your home for at least 1 1/2 years who are unvaccinated.

It takes this long for this hearty virus to die.

"Lesson learned", indoor only cats are just as able to catch viruses, the bottom of your shoes is a great place for viruses to hitchhike into your home.

Thanks Catwoman,

Hoping for the best. I have been reading that some survive, and I guess as with humans, it just depends on the cat's immune system/DNA/luck... Buddy is hanging on, Day 4 ~ so am hoping he is one of the lucky ones. Bastét has been playing all day, and even did a new trick today, sitting up on her back haunches to look out the window. So cute! Hope that she is old/strong enough to beat this virus without too many symptoms. 

All the stories I read are about cats that show severe symptoms before their pet owners have them tested. It seems the test for panluekopenia can be very expensive, so vets make an educated guess based on low WBC (white blood cell) count. Buddy's WBC count was super low, and then his test for panluek was positive, so there is no doubt in his case. I guess if he survives, you'll be able to tell a success story next time ~ that is not attributed to a misdiagnosis.

I haven't found any stories about cats being diagnosed after having mild symptoms like diarrhea (it's always after vomiting and dehydration, etc), so maybe that's why there is so little information out there about cats being strong enough to resist panluek. Wishiful thinking? I guess the best way to study that would be to research cases of unvaccinated cat living together ~ with some getting the virus, and some not? Or in our case, Bastét, who is playing with her ball as I type this. 

I've read that the incubation period for the virus is up to 10 days, and she is looking fine (now 5 days after Buddy started to show symptoms, and more than a month since they both started having diarrhea) ~ which is why I'm wondering about her. 

Paws crossed.

I have read that some adults can be completely asymptomatic. That is how some kittens get it from the mother.  I guess there are certain defects at birth that are hallmarks of the mother having had it while pregnant.  My experience has been with parvo in puppies and I know that older puppies often do survive this.  It is very rare for a young puppy to survive.  What makes it so hard to keep puppies safe from it is that the virus survives in the ground and puppies start going outside before they have completed the series of shots.

Thanks for the tip, Denice. I finally found information I was looking for when I googled "panluekopenia asymptomatic" and came across articles I had not yet read. 

Here is a paragraph from this link: http://maxshouse.com/viral_diseases.htm

"CLINICAL SIGNS. The severity of the clinical signs exhibited can vary tremendously from case to case. Many cats undergo a subclinical infection and do not show signs at all; the only method of diagnosis would be viral isolation or serology (detection of antibody in the blood). Others may experience a very mild clinical infection, in which a mildly elevated temperature, slight inappetence, and a borderline drop in the white blood cell count are observed. in the "typical" case of panleukopenia, clinical signs develop suddenly. The animal may have a rectal temperature of 104oF or greater and may be severely depressed and not eating. Vomiting usually occurs, and severe diarrhea may develop in twenty-four to forty-eight hours. If vomiting and diarrhea continue, severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances occur."

A momma cat can have exposure and she will have babies born with cerebellar hypoplasia. We have had several kittens in our foster system with this. It is sad to see, but funny how well they adapt, it's all they know. Clumsy, stiff back legs, fall over easily, etc. As they grow they get a bit better, but it's there for life. It affects a part of their neurology.

I had one little girl who could not walk at all, by 6 months she was getting around well. Different degrees I suppose.

The one thing I feel you do have going for you is their age/size. Although as I told about my experience with the babies being brought here, 3 of my cat room cats got it from my daughters shirt, when giving them meds, and they were close to 6 months old, as well as the foster who had the sick babies, her 1 1/2 yr old cat died too.

So age doesn't ensure survival, but I think it might give a better chance anyway.

What I do know for sure is, I have lost every kitten from panleuk that ever had it. None survived, even when a sibling showed signs first while the others did not, and all were immediately cared for, they still didnt make it.

Your little girl will very likely get sick too, just be ready for it. This is the way to catch it at it's earliest stage, giving a better chance of getting through it.

Forgot a couple things.

The diarrhea starting a month ago sounds like nothing to do with the panleuk. Diarrhea and vomiting start once it is well into breaking their systems down, not an early symptom.

I don't doubt Buddy does have panleuk, the yellow vomit is a telltale sign for sure. They don't always get it like that but when they do, it's confirmation to me anyway.

There is no fail proof test, as you said the low white cells, etc and other clinical signs are used if they test negative. False positives are not common as false negatives are.

The time frame thing, I once thought they were out of the woods 14 days after exposure, but there are documented cases of even longer before showing symptoms, so that's scary too. 5 days is not enough time to know that she is safe. Highly unlikely in my opinion.

It's just too contagious, and unlike other things like felv, a kitty gets exposed and that's it, they will get sick. There is no stopping it, good immune system or not, it's too big of a virus for them to never show any signs. As you quoted someone though, it may be different degrees of illness, but unless I am mistaken, one gets sick, the rest will too.

It would be great if not, but....anyway, good vibes coming your way!!!  

Hi Catwoman, 

Thanks for your advice to remain vigilant with Bastét, we will definitely keep an eye on her, and take her in at the first sign. This morning she is still healthy, we should hear from the vet about how Buddy is doing this afternoon. 

One question for you ~ you said that 3 cats in your cat room caught the virus from your daughter's shirt. Does that mean there were other cats that didn't get sick? 

I don't want to be naively optimistic, but it does give me hope to ponder the possibility of some cats being asymptomatic. 

Thanks!

UPDATE on Buddy: Day 5 ~ he is still not eating but hanging on. We will go to visit him this afternoon. Please send your purrayers. Thanks. 

UPDATE on Buddy: Day 5 ~ Just got back from the vet. Buddy is still not eating, and has lost some weight, his eyes still have the third eyelid and his face looks puffy. . . BUT, he has regained a lot of his energy and was purring and pawing, prancing around (like his old self!), and clearly wanted to come out from the cage. His coat is a little coarser, but still soft (unlike many reports I've read in which the kitten's fur gets coarse and their skin loses elasticity). The vet thinks we should try to take him home for TLC tomorrow, and see if he will have a faster recovery at home. We will continue to take him to the vet daily for antibiotics (to keep secondary infections at bay). Really appreciate all of the advice so far, and any other advice for home care will be greatly appreciated. 

Bastét, our little girl, still shows no symptoms. She is playful and energetic. 

I dn't have any advice at all, just wishing you the best of luck and sending you all kinds of vibes:

So sweet, thank you Mrs Green Jeens 

Here's one of the best articles I've read on Panluekopenia ~ hope it helps someone who has to go through this someday. 

http://www.petfinder.com/pro/for-shelters/preventing-feline-panleukopenia/

There's nothing wrong about staying optimistic, it's what we do. Negativity isn't healthy.

Referring to rough coat and loss of elasticity, this is due to dehydration in the skin/body.

His puffy face and energy are due to the fluids he is getting pumped full of, this is his lifeline.

Taking him home can go different ways, one is, he is not eating still so how will he get enough fluids? This is critical. If it is the fluids keeping him from crashing, pulling him off might be bad....in my opinion he is not fighting the virus off all that well, but it hasn't killed him yet either, so it seems to me that, given more time on fluids may increase his chances since it gives his system more time to fight.

I'm afraid this is what is keeping him going, day 5....hmm....I would think he should be on the recovering end by now. Is he not ANY better to your vet?

Still zero appetite?

His inner lids, are they retracted AT ALL? Even a little?

Yes, there were other cats/kittens, but they are all seperate in large cages. This is mostly cats./kittens in recovery, or momma and babies, or taming young kittens. They are not in contact with each other.

The reason the 3 died is because my daughter having handled the sick babies, washed her hands but the virus was on the front of her shirt, so when she went to the cat room to give meds, it was only to 3 cages, and 2 were vaccinated, the ones who died were 3 siblings, one of who she put terramycin in his eye so she had to handle him, held him up to her body and pulled his head back. That's all she wrote....they get put back in, clean themselves and ingest the virus, then pass it on.

At that time I had 20-something kittens and a few adults out there, and I will never forget the 2 week holdout AFTER Scotty and his sibs came down with the panleuk. It was literally the longest 3 weeks ever in my life. Like holding my breath, I was absolutely beside myself, as I knew good and well, I could lose every single cat out there then. There were so many nights I did not sleep at all, or slept out in the cat room, almost staring at them all, who will I lose, etc. It was crazy.

What did she touch, brush against, her shoes walking around, did Scotty touch the cage next to him, did they sneeze on anyone,  it was a nightmare. Panleuk scares the s**t out of me to be frank.

It takes kittens down FAST. One hour playing and fine, couple hours later a different story. Each kitty's system will vary in the time it takes for signs to show.

I did find an article about the time frame for this virus to go through a cats system, it is not 3-4 days as most other viruses are, it is 5-7 days.

It seems to me that Buddy still going on day 5 is a good sign. Anytime now if he begins to show any improvement at all, I think he will get through this!

As for your girl kitty at home, surely she has been exposed as well, but regardless, I would not allow her and Buddy any contact what-so-ever for at least a few weeks, this won't be an easy one I know, you may have to make up a cage for him while he recovers, but for a good 3 weeks after as well, while he is still shedding the virus.

I'm not sure on this one, but does your vet know there is another kitty at home? Does she think she should get a vaccine now? I know it won't help her if she has already contracted this, but it will protect her running around the house or being exposed when Buddy comes home.

Not sure....

Hi Catwoman ~ thanks for all your messages. 

Tomorrow the vet will take his blood and we'll see how his WBC & RBC are doing. Will report on that. 

Depending on this, the vet thinks it's a good idea for him to come home because

1) She thinks it's not healthy for him to be cooped up in the pen for too long, and he is obviously wanting to come out. 

2) His energy has definitely improved: even if it's because of the fluids, he is markedly better ~ purring and pawing (strong!) and prancing around. He seems much more conscious as well. 

3) She has to switch arms for the IV after day 5, so she thinks this might be a good moment to give him a rest from hospitalization. 

We're not far from the vet, so in case of any emergency, we will be able to rush him to her. 

Yes, will definitely keep Buddy & Bastét separate as much as possible, but if he has it she has it for sure... they have been sharing litter box & water bowl, so there just isn't a chance she doesn't have it already. Plan to separate litter boxes & water/food bowls, and give Buddy his own room for at least 6 weeks when he comes home.

The article I posted above talks about asymptomatic cats as well. She was the runt of the litter (one of the reasons we love her) and really independent & wild when we got her ~ so I'm wondering if maybe she contracted the virus before and survived, making her immune this time. Again, this may be naively optimistic, so I am watching her closely. But she is totally fine at the moment. 

Will update again tomorrow!

So sorry you had that horrible experience in the past ~ that's so sad & scary! I hope Buddy's experience will be a good reference for anyone going through this disease ~ which is why I'm documenting every step here so closely. Whether he survives or not, he is a trooper, and an inspiration.   

Since your taking him back on a daily basis for medication I would ask about sub-q fluids.  Your vet may be planning on doing that when you take him back.  It doesn't do as much as the IV but it will go a long way in helping him stay hydrated.  I have read that many kittens will actually get to a point where they are depressed, or the kitty form of depression, and will give up fighting.  The vet may well have a point about him coming home.