Cowpox Virus Infections in Cats and Other Species

All orthopox isolates from domestic cats in Europe are currently considered to be cowpox virus, although molecular characterization indicates significant heterogeneity in isolates that may be indicative of different rodent hosts. Infection due to cowpox virus has also been recorded in other domestic species (dogs, horses, and llamas) and in a wide range of captive species in various European zoos. Cowpox virus is also infectious to people, and cat-to-human transmission has been recorded. Owners should be advised accordingly.

It is assumed that because of a domestic case of raccoonpox infection in a cat in Canada with a localized infection of a paw, cats may become infected when hunting. Most affected cats come from rural environments and are known to hunt rodents; the initial lesion is often described as having originated as a small bite-like wound. Infection in cats has a marked seasonal incidence, with most cases occurring between September and November. Cat-to-cat transmission can also occur but usually results in only subclinical infection.

The significance of the disease and its relatively recent recognition in cats is an enigma. It may have always been present in the feline population, but not recognized. Alternatively, the disease may be increasing in importance as a result of a change either in the epidemiology of the disease, in the reservoir host, or in the nature of the dominant biotype of the virus itself.

The most common route of entry appears to be through the skin, but oronasal infection is also possible. After local replication and development of a primary skin lesion, the virus spreads to local lymph nodes, and a leukocyte-associated viremia develops. The viremic phase may be associated with fever and depression and, during this period, virus can be isolated from various tissues, including the skin, turbinates (and sometimes lungs), and lymphoid organs. Widespread secondary skin lesions appear a few days after the onset of viremia, and new lesions continue to appear for 2–3 days, at which time the viremia subsides.

Cowpox lesions, cat

Image

Courtesy of Dr. Rosalind Gaskell, University of Liverpool.

Most affected cats have a history of a single primary skin lesion, usually on the head, neck, or a forelimb. The primary lesion can vary from a small, scabbed wound to a large abscess. Approximately 7–10 days after the primary lesion appears, widespread secondary lesions begin to appear. Throughout 2–4 days, these develop into discrete, circular, ulcerated papules ~0.5–1 cm in diameter. The ulcers soon become covered by scabs, and healing is usually complete by ~6 weeks.

Many cats show no signs other than skin lesions, but ~20% may develop mild coryza or conjunctivitis. Some cats may also be pyrexic, depressed, and inappetent during the viremic phase just before and during the early development of secondary lesions. Concurrent bacterial infection, particularly of the primary lesions, may give rise to systemic signs. However, most domestic cats recover uneventfully. More severe pulmonary disease is uncommon in domestic cats but frequently occurs in cheetahs and is often fatal in both species. More severe disease in domestic cats is often associated with immunosuppression, either after treatment with corticosteroids or associated with infection with feline leukemia or immunodeficiency viruses.

• Clinical signs, histopathology, and PCR

If multiple, well-circumscribed skin lesions are present, and especially if there is a history of hunting or exposure to a rural environment, a presumptive diagnosis may be based on clinical signs. Cowpox virus infection also should be suspected when skin lesions do not respond to antibiotics. Differential diagnoses include miliary dermatitis, feline herpesvirus or calicivirus infection, eosinophilic granuloma, bite wounds, ringworm, and other chronic bacterial or fungal conditions.

Presumptive and rapid diagnosis can be made in most cases from unfixed scab, exudate, or biopsy material examined for characteristic brick-shaped orthopox virions by electron microscopy. A more accurate and sensitive method of diagnosis is by PCR, or isolation of virus in cell culture or on the chick chorioallantois. Fixed biopsy material for histologic examination and serum for antibody determination also can be sent to the laboratory.

• Supportive care; corticosteroids are contraindicated

In both domestic cats and cheetahs, it is important that cowpox be diagnosed promptly, because steroid treatment, which is often used in therapy of other skin conditions, is contraindicated. Although the disease is often severe in cheetahs, in domestic cats supportive treatment (broad-spectrum antibiotics, fluid therapy) is generally successful, and mortality is low.

Because it seems that infection in domestic cats is mainly sporadic and acquired from chance contact with an infected wildlife reservoir, it is difficult to control the exposure of outdoor cats to this virus. In wildlife parks, where big cats are at risk from contact with small wild rodents, and especially where the disease has already occurred, vaccination may be helpful. Vaccinia virus appears to be of low pathogenicity in domestic cats, and cheetahs appear to be refractive. Currently, management of outbreaks among large cats depends on prompt diagnosis and segregation of affected animals to reduce the possibility of cat-to-cat spread. Rodent control should be evaluated and premises disinfected. At ambient temperatures, poxviruses are relatively resistant and may remain infective in dried crusts for months.

• Fenner's Veterinary Virology, 5th Edition, Edited by N. James MacLachlan and Edward J. Dubovi, Academic Press 2016 ISBN-13: 978-0128009468

• Also see pet health content regarding pox infections in cats.