POXVIRUS
What is feline poxvirus and what diseases does it cause?
Feline poxvirus is a member of the Orthopoxvirus group, which also includes
vaccinia virus, the virus used as a vaccine in the successful eradication of
smallpox. The virus cannot be distinguished from cowpox virus that causes a
rare infection on the teats and udders of cattle. In cats, the first sign of infection
with feline poxvirus is the presence of a single skin lesion, usually on the head,
neck or forelimb. This primary lesion can be anything from a small scabby ulcer
to a large abscess and may be itchy, causing the cat to aggravate it by biting
and licking. Within a few days to weeks of the appearance of the primary lesion,
widespread secondary skin lesions appear. These start as small nodules that
develop into ulcers that rapidly scab over and heal, leaving small patches of bald
skin. The hair rapidly regrows and cats are usually normal six to eight weeks
after the primary lesion developed. In cats with underlying immunodeficiency,
such as that associated with feline leukemia virus or feline immunodeficiency
virus infection, generalized infection with feline poxvirus is likely, leading to
progressively worsening lesions and ultimately, death.
Is there any treatment for cats with feline poxvirus infection?
There are no antiviral drugs available that will alter the course of feline poxvirus
infection in cats. Corticosteroids exacerbate the disease, leading to generalized
infection and death. Antibiotics may be useful to reduce the likelihood of delayed
healing of lesions due to secondary infection by bacteria. Euthanasia is
recommended in cats showing progressive, generalized infection.
Is there a vaccine available?
No vaccine is available for cats. The use of vaccinia virus as a vaccine is now
strictly controlled since the eradication of smallpox, because vaccinia virus itself
is pathogenic for humans. In cattle and humans, vaccinia virus does not provide
good protection against cowpox virus, and may also be ineffective in cats.
Development of a specific vaccine against feline poxvirus is unlikely at present
because the infection is still very rare in cats.
Can the virus be spread to other cats or humans?
Cat to cat transmission under natural conditions has not been proven, but is a
possibility. It is believed that cats become infected with feline poxvirus after
being bitten by a rodent carrying the infection. The rodent reservoir has not been
positively identified, but there is some evidence that certain species of vole and
mouse are the natural hosts. Feline poxvirus infection is more common in
hunting cats, and the primary lesion often appears at the site of a bite. Moreover,
the incidence of cases peaks in late summer and autumn when rodent
populations are at their peak, and are very rare in winter when rodents are
hibernating.
Humans are susceptible to infection with feline poxvirus, and about half of all
human cases can be attributed to contact with an infected cat. In humans, the
disease usually consists of a single lesion on the hand or face, sometimes with
other symptoms such as fever or headache. Feline poxvirus infects through cuts
and abrasions on the skin, but is not highly infectious, so the risk of human
infection can be greatly reduced by taking basic hygiene precautions like
wearing gloves when handling infected cats. Cats are infectious until the scabs
have been removed.
What is feline poxvirus and what diseases does it cause?
Feline poxvirus is a member of the Orthopoxvirus group, which also includes
vaccinia virus, the virus used as a vaccine in the successful eradication of
smallpox. The virus cannot be distinguished from cowpox virus that causes a
rare infection on the teats and udders of cattle. In cats, the first sign of infection
with feline poxvirus is the presence of a single skin lesion, usually on the head,
neck or forelimb. This primary lesion can be anything from a small scabby ulcer
to a large abscess and may be itchy, causing the cat to aggravate it by biting
and licking. Within a few days to weeks of the appearance of the primary lesion,
widespread secondary skin lesions appear. These start as small nodules that
develop into ulcers that rapidly scab over and heal, leaving small patches of bald
skin. The hair rapidly regrows and cats are usually normal six to eight weeks
after the primary lesion developed. In cats with underlying immunodeficiency,
such as that associated with feline leukemia virus or feline immunodeficiency
virus infection, generalized infection with feline poxvirus is likely, leading to
progressively worsening lesions and ultimately, death.
Is there any treatment for cats with feline poxvirus infection?
There are no antiviral drugs available that will alter the course of feline poxvirus
infection in cats. Corticosteroids exacerbate the disease, leading to generalized
infection and death. Antibiotics may be useful to reduce the likelihood of delayed
healing of lesions due to secondary infection by bacteria. Euthanasia is
recommended in cats showing progressive, generalized infection.
Is there a vaccine available?
No vaccine is available for cats. The use of vaccinia virus as a vaccine is now
strictly controlled since the eradication of smallpox, because vaccinia virus itself
is pathogenic for humans. In cattle and humans, vaccinia virus does not provide
good protection against cowpox virus, and may also be ineffective in cats.
Development of a specific vaccine against feline poxvirus is unlikely at present
because the infection is still very rare in cats.
Can the virus be spread to other cats or humans?
Cat to cat transmission under natural conditions has not been proven, but is a
possibility. It is believed that cats become infected with feline poxvirus after
being bitten by a rodent carrying the infection. The rodent reservoir has not been
positively identified, but there is some evidence that certain species of vole and
mouse are the natural hosts. Feline poxvirus infection is more common in
hunting cats, and the primary lesion often appears at the site of a bite. Moreover,
the incidence of cases peaks in late summer and autumn when rodent
populations are at their peak, and are very rare in winter when rodents are
hibernating.
Humans are susceptible to infection with feline poxvirus, and about half of all
human cases can be attributed to contact with an infected cat. In humans, the
disease usually consists of a single lesion on the hand or face, sometimes with
other symptoms such as fever or headache. Feline poxvirus infects through cuts
and abrasions on the skin, but is not highly infectious, so the risk of human
infection can be greatly reduced by taking basic hygiene precautions like
wearing gloves when handling infected cats. Cats are infectious until the scabs
have been removed.
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1001 North W.E.Crawford (Highway 66 in Fate) Rockwall, Texas 75087 972-722-0066 |
| 1001 North W.E.Crawford (Highway 66 in Fate) Rockwall, Texas 75087 972-722-0066 |