Feline Panleukopenia Virus: Feline Distemper

Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) is sometimes called feline distemper. Most adult cats have built up immunity towards the feline panleukopenia virus. Kittens and cats that are ill or have compromised immune systems are most susceptible to contracting this disease. Feline panleukopenia is a highly contagious virus. It is most common in areas where cats are confined together, such as animal shelters, kennels, or pet stores.

Feline distemper is not caused by the same virus as canine distemper. Humans are not in danger of contracting distemper. The feline panleukopenia virus is transmitted through direct contact, contact with contaminated feces, or contact with items that have been exposed to the infected cat. A pregnant cat may infect developing kittens. If a cat with panleukopenia used bedding, cage, or other item that is now being used by another cat, that cat is at risk of becoming infected by that indirect contact.

Contracting the virus through indirect contact can even occur through exposure to the hands or clothing worn by someone who handled a cat with feline distemper. The feline panleukopenia virus is resilient and not killed by typical measures. It requires thorough cleaning with bleach and prolonged exposure to bleach to decontaminate surfaces that have been exposed to the virus.

The effects of feline distemper can range from mild to severe. Feline panleukopenia is often fatal to kittens unless the kittens have been vaccinated prior to contact with the virus. The feline distemper symptoms are high fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, and dehydration. These symptoms are sometimes mistaken for evidence of poisoning.

Fever may dip to below normal body temperature shortly before death. Diarrhea may also be present in the last stage of the disease. If the cat survives for five days, it will usually survive the disease. Early treatment may save a cat from this potentially fatal infection.

Prevention is the best way to guard against this illness. A vaccine for feline distemper is typically included in the recommended vaccinations for cats. A veterinarian should be consulted when determining what vaccines are necessary. A feline distemper vaccine will not treat or cure a cat that has already been infected.