Feline panleukopenia, also known as feline distemper, is a viral disease. The virus is highly contagious and oftentimes fatal. It normally infects kittens, but can affect cats of any age.

Transmission

The virus can be transmitted via contact with feces and bodily fluids. In some cases, it can be transmitted when the cat comes into contact with food dishes, bedding, or human hands that have handled infected cats. Fleas can also be a method of transmission if they bite cats in the early stages of the disease.

Symptoms

Some cats with feline panleukopenia don’t show any symptoms at all. Others will develop signs of the disease suddenly. Common symptoms include anemia, malnutrition, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. Severe diarrhea and vomiting can lead to severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. This in turn will cause your cat’s hair to look dull and feel rough.

Diagnosis

The veterinarian will suspect this disease based on symptoms and your cat’s medical history. Blood tests will also show leukopenia, which occurs when there are decreased numbers of white blood cells circulating. Laboratory tests can confirm the presence of the virus or at least show increased numbers of antibodies in the blood.

Treatment

Feline panleukopenia is often fatal. Treatment of the disease focuses on keeping the cat healthy until it’s immune system can take over. Treatment usually lasts about seven days after symptoms appear. The cat’s body starts producing antibodies about four days after signs appear.

Treatment of this illness involves controlling diarrhea and vomiting to prevent dehydration. Also, cats with feline panleukopenia are at high risk for secondary bacterial infections, so antibiotics may be necessary. Secondary viral respiratory infections may also cause problems. Your cat will get severely sick if two viral infections occur at the same time.

Prevention

There are various vaccines to prevent feline panleukopenia. Kittens naturally have antibodies against the disease at birth thanks to the mother. The cat shouldn’t receive the vaccination until this protection wears off. The first shot is given when the cat is between eight to ten weeks old. The second shot is administered a month later, and a third may be given two months after that.