Clinical investigation and epidemiological study of feline panleukopenia in cats in Meherpur Sadar, Bangladesh

Feline panleukopenia (FPV), caused by the highly contagious feline parvovirus, poses a significant threat to domestic cats. This study aimed to investigate the clinical presentation, epidemiological features, and management practices of feline panleukopenia in domestic cats in Meherpur Sadar Upazila, Meherpur. A total of 133 clinically affected cats were examined from December 2023 to May 2024, with FPV accounting for 52.6% (n=70) of all cases, followed by respiratory infections (13.5%), parasitic infestations (12.8%), gastrointestinal issues (8.3%), and skin disorders (7.5%).Monthly analysis revealed the highest prevalence in February (28.57%). Persian cats (60%) were more commonly affected than Golden cats (40%), while kittens (≤4 months) exhibited the highest prevalence (42.86%). Female cats were more frequently affected (67.14%) than males (32.86%). Most cases (72.86%) occurred in households with no previous FPV cases. Cats with regular contact with others (77.14%) had a higher prevalence, highlighting the role of exposure. Non-vaccinated cats showed a significantly higher prevalence (85.71%) than vaccinated ones (14.29%), emphasizing the importance of vaccination. Vomiting was the most common clinical sign (94.29%), while diarrhea was less frequent (17.14%). Veterinarians managed 58.57% of cases, followed by quacks (34.29%) and owners (7.14%). Ceftriaxone was the most prescribed antibiotic (84.29%).This study highlights the high prevalence of feline panleukopenia in Meherpur, underscoring the critical role of vaccination and improved management in controlling the disease.