Feline Panleukopenia

General Information
Feline panleukopenia (FP), also known as feline distemper, is a highly contagious viral disease. Young kittens and immunocompromised cats. Older cats are more likely to have acquired an immunity and, therefore, are infected less frequently.

Kennels, pet shops, humane shelters, and other areas where groups of cats are quartered appear to be the main reservoirs of feline panleukopenia today.

Dogs are not susceptible to feline panleukopenia. Canine distemper is a different disease caused by another virus. Neither disease is transmissible to humans.

How is Panleukopenia transmitted?
The feline panleukopenia virus is spread by direct contact from cat to cat or via contact with fecal waste from infected cats. Bedding, cages, food dishes, and the hands or clothing of handlers that contact infected secretions may also harbor and transmit the virus.

The feline panleukopenia virus is very stable. It is resistant to many chemicals and may remain infectious at room temperature for as long as one year.

How Can You Tell If a Cat Has Panleukopenia?
The first noticeable signs are depression, loss of appetite, high fever, lethargy, vomiting, dehydration, and hanging over the water dish. The course of the disease may be short and explosive. Advanced cases, when discovered, may cause death within hours. Normally, the sickness may go on for three or four days after the first elevation of body temperature.

Fever will fluctuate during the illness and abruptly fall to subnormal levels shortly before death. Other signs in later stages may be diarrhea, anemia, and persistent vomiting.

Feline panleukopenia virus is so prevalent and the signs of disease are so varied that any sick cat should be taken to a veterinarian for a definite diagnosis.

How is Panleukopenia Treated?
There is no cure for panleukopenia. There are no medications that can kill the virus. The prognosis for kittens is poor. Treatment for older cats is limited to supportive therapy to help the patient gain and retain sufficient strength to combat the virus with its own immune system.

Other cats that may have been in close association with the infected animal should be carefully examined.

Prevention and Protection
Feline panleukopenia is controlled in several ways. Cats that survive a natural infection usually develop sufficient, active immunity to protect them for the rest of their lives. Mild cases may go unnoticed and also produce immunity.

It is also possible for kittens to receive immunity from their mother through the transfer of antibody. This passive immunity from the mother is temporary and its effectiveness varies in proportion to the level of antibody in the mother's body.

The most effective means of prevention is by preventing exposure to infected cats by keeping them indoors.