Veterinary Technician Practice Exam

Which disease is also known as "feline distemper" and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures in cats?

1. Panleukopenia

2. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

3. Feline Infectious Peritonitis

4. Feline Rhinotracheitis

The correct answer is: Panleukopenia

The disease referred to as "feline distemper" is indeed Panleukopenia, which is caused by the feline parvovirus. This highly contagious viral infection primarily affects cats and is particularly dangerous for kittens and unvaccinated adults. Symptoms include severe vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and neurological signs such as seizures. The virus attacks the rapidly dividing cells in the body, particularly those in the intestines and bone marrow, leading to a drastic drop in white blood cell count, which leaves the affected cat vulnerable to secondary infections. Other diseases listed have different causes and symptoms. For example, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus is an immune-suppressive disease that affects the cat's ability to fight off infections but does not cause the acute gastrointestinal symptoms seen in Panleukopenia. Feline Infectious Peritonitis caused by a coronavirus can lead to fluid accumulation in the abdomen or chest but often has a delayed onset and different clinical presentations. Feline Rhinotracheitis is a respiratory disease primarily caused by feline herpesvirus and presents with symptoms such as sneezing and nasal discharge, rather than gastrointestinal distress. Thus, Panleukopenia is the disease that aligns with the provided symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures in cats