Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Feline panleukopenia is a highly contagious, severe viral disease affecting domestic and wild felids.
It is caused by the Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV), which is a member of the family Parvoviridae.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The pathogenesis of Feline Panleukopenia Virus relies on targeting rapidly dividing cells.
These cells are located primarily in the bone marrow, lymphoid tissues, and the crypts of the intestinal mucosa.
In the bone marrow, destruction of precursor cells leads to a profound depletion of all white blood cell lines, which is clinically called panleukopenia.
In the small intestine, destruction of crypt epithelial cells leads to severe, necrotizing enteritis.
This manifests as acute, hemorrhagic diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and severe dehydration.
Because the etiology is a parvovirus and the clinical hallmark is severe gastrointestinal inflammation, the disease is also known as Feline Parvoviral Enteritis (or feline infectious enteritis).
Let us review the other terms:
- Feline peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal progressive systemic disease caused by a mutated feline coronavirus.
- Feline rhinotracheitis is an upper respiratory infection caused by feline herpesvirus-1.
- Feline pneumonia is a lower respiratory tract infection caused by various bacterial or viral pathogens.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Feline panleukopenia is also known as Feline Parvoviral Enteritis.