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In veterinary medicine, some conditions and diseases are more devastating than others. At South Seminole Animal Hospital, perhaps one of the most terrible things that we diagnose is a fatal viral disease amongst kittens called panleukopenia. Panleukopenia, also known as feline distemper, is nothing to ignore. Thankfully we can protect  our patients with a little knowledge and modern medicine. 

Feline Panleukopenia

Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) is a highly contagious and often deadly virus affecting cats, in particular young kittens and unvaccinated adults. Panleukopenia virus is part of the parvovirus family. Like parvo in puppies, infection targets rapidly dividing cells. This can lead to a decrease in white blood cells, resulting in subsequent immunosuppression.

Symptoms of FPV (sometimes also called feline distemper) can include:

• Vomiting
• Severe diarrhea (sometimes with blood)
• Dehydration
• Fever
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite 

Untreated, this highly contagious disease is often fatal. Sometimes even with aggressive treatment, affected kittens can still succumb.

One unique effect of feline panleukopenia is cerebellar hypoplasia. This condition occurs when a pregnant cat is infected and passes the virus to her unborn kittens. The virus can disrupt the normal development of the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for coordination and balance. 

Kittens with cerebellar hypoplasia often display unsteady movements, tremors, and poor motor control. Their wobbly movements persist for the life of the cat, and while not immediately life threatening it can provide challenges. 

Protecting Our Cats

Thankfully, we are able to protect our cats effectively through vaccination. When we administer a vaccination, we are preparing the cat’s body to fight off disease-causing organisms like viruses. 

Vaccination against panleukopenia is provided routinely in our feline distemper combination vaccine. This vaccine is commonly administered as part of our pet wellness recommendations. It allows the body to make antibodies and learn to recognize the aggressive disease. 

A vaccinated pet is better equipped to fight off a disease than one who has not been vaccinated, eliminating a lot of sick kittens. Just as you protect your pet from parasites using prevention, vaccines can protect them from disease. 

If you have questions about feline panleukopenia or would like to understand more about protecting your pet, please contact us. We don’t like it when our patients are sick, and we are happy to help any way we can help to prevent illness.