What is it?
Feline panleukopenia is a severe, often fatal viral disease caused by a parvovirus closely related to canine parvovirus. It primarily affects kittens.
How is it spread?
Transmission occurs through:
- Fecal contamination
- Environmental exposure (virus can survive for months)
- In utero infection from infected queens
Clinical signs may include:
- Sudden onset of fever
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Severe dehydration
- Profound lethargy
- Marked decrease in white blood cells
Mortality rates are high, particularly in young kittens.
Why vaccination is important:
There is no cure. Treatment is intensive and often unsuccessful. Vaccination is highly effective and remains the single most important protection against this disease.