Feline panleukopenia virus, commonly abbreviated as FP, FPL, or FPV, is an extremely contagious and resilient virus, particularly deadly in unvaccinated kittens. It has the ability to survive on various surfaces for extended periods, contributing to its high infection rates.
Interestingly, although it’s often referred to as “distemper” in cats, it’s actually caused by a feline parvovirus. While many people are familiar with parvovirus in dogs (caused by a closely related but distinct disease), fewer are aware that cats can also be affected by a form of parvovirus.
In the following article, you will discover how to identify the symptoms of feline panleukopenia virus in cats, available treatment options, and measures to safeguard your pet from this life-threatening disease.
Understanding Feline Panleukopenia: Panleukopenia refers to a reduction in the number of white blood cells in the bloodstream. White blood cells play a critical role in the immune system, defending against infectious diseases. In severe cases of FP in cats, white blood cell counts can plummet from the normal range (several thousand per milliliter of blood) to just a few hundred, making cats highly vulnerable to illness.
Recognizing Symptoms of Feline Panleukopenia: Cats are adept at concealing signs of illness, so early symptoms of distemper in cats can be challenging to detect, often milder than those seen in advanced infections.
Look for the following initial clinical signs of FLPV and promptly contact your veterinarian if you observe any, as swift treatment enhances the chances of your pet’s survival:
Early Signs of Panleukopenia (Distemper) in Cats:
- Watery discharge from the nose
- Lethargy
- Depression
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Dehydration
- Diarrhea
- Rough coat
- Inability to eat and drink
- Painful or tense abdomen
Advanced Symptoms of Panleukopenia (Distemper) in Cats: Some cats affected by the disease progress rapidly to severe dehydration, occasionally accompanied by vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Late-stage symptoms may include gum or skin bruising and collapse. Additionally, the cat’s body temperature can drop below normal levels. However, some cats with feline distemper may die suddenly without displaying any symptoms.
Kittens exposed to the virus during late-stage in-utero development may be born with cerebellar hypoplasia, a neurological disorder affecting movement, balance, and coordination. Despite this condition, with close observation and care, affected kittens can lead fulfilling lives.
Which Cats Are at Risk of Distemper? According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), all cats can potentially contract parvovirus, which causes distemper. However, kittens are the most vulnerable due to their underdeveloped immunity. Parvoviruses, including feline panleukopenia, are incredibly robust and can only be effectively eliminated by potent chemical disinfectants.
The virus exists virtually everywhere in the environment, so both indoor and outdoor cats may encounter it at some point in their lives. Under favorable conditions, the feline panleukopenia virus can survive on surfaces for over a year or longer.
How Do Cats Contract Distemper? Cats can become infected with FPV by coming into contact with virus-containing fluids such as urine, feces, and nasal secretions, or even fleas from infected cats. Infected animals typically shed the virus for one or two days, but the virus can persist in the environment for up to a year. This means that your cat may become infected without direct contact with an infected feline.
Cats can also contract the virus through contaminated bedding, food bowls, cages, or from the clothing or hands of people who have interacted with infected cats. Hence, isolating sick cats is essential to prevent the virus from spreading.
When to Quarantine Cats Exposed to Feline Panleukopenia? The likelihood of a cat getting feline panleukopenia is influenced by their individual immune status and vaccination history. Fully immunized cats older than five months have a very low risk of falling ill (provided they were vaccinated at least three days before exposure, keeping in mind that shedding may occur up to three days before clinical signs appear).
However, the risk is higher in the following cases:
- Kittens under four months of age
- Cats vaccinated less than a week before exposure
- Cats vaccinated with a killed or intranasal vaccine
- Cats that were closely exposed but remained unvaccinated
To prevent the spread of distemper in cats, cats significantly exposed or at risk should be separated from infected cats.
Can Dogs Get Parvo from Cats? No, there are distinct parvovirus strains specific to both dogs and cats.
Canines cannot contract the feline strain of the virus, known as feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), which poses a serious threat to the feline population.
Likewise, the specific virus responsible for parvo in dogs and puppies does not infect cats, so your cat cannot contract feline parvo from dogs.
Is Feline Panleukopenia Zoonotic? Feline panleukopenia is not a zoonotic disease, meaning it cannot be transmitted from cats to humans. However, while it is not contagious to people or dogs, ferrets can contract it from cats, and vice versa.
How Is Feline Panleukopenia Diagnosed? Diagnosing feline panleukopenia can be challenging, as its symptoms can resemble those of other diseases, including feline immunodeficiency virus (FeLV) and feline leukemia virus (FIV). Your veterinarian will likely conduct blood tests to aid in the diagnosis. Blood tests showing significantly reduced levels of both white and red blood cells, combined with a history of exposure, lack of vaccination, and visible signs of illness, all point to feline panleukopenia.
Fecal testing can also be used to diagnose feline panleukopenia, although this test may yield false positive results in cats vaccinated within five to 12 days before testing. Additional diagnostic tests for distemper in cats include virus isolation, PCR testing, and antibody level analysis.
How Is FPV in Cats Treated? There are no specific medications for feline panleukopenia. Intensive care and treatment are essential to support the cat’s health with fluids and medications until its own immune system can combat the virus. Without such supportive treatment, up to 90% of cats with FPV may not survive.
Intravenous fluid therapy can help correct dehydration, while prescription drugs may address clinical symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. In cases of low white blood cell counts, antibiotics are often administered to manage any secondary bacterial infections. Acute therapy and nursing care, including plasma or blood transfusions and anticoagulant medications, are necessary for resuscitation in cats with severe infections.
Hospitalization and extended treatment can be costly, especially for young cats. Fortunately, pet insurance for cats can help alleviate the financial burden.
Can Cats Survive FPV? Infected kittens under eight weeks old have a low chance of survival.
Most kittens infected during early to mid-pregnancy stages do not survive. Those exposed to the infection later in pregnancy often experience cerebellar hypoplasia but can lead happy, healthy lives with normal survival rates, depending on the severity of neurological symptoms.
Older cats have a better chance of survival with timely and appropriate care. Cats with low body temperatures, low protein levels, emaciation, and abnormally low white blood cell counts typically have a worse prognosis and may pass away within 12 to 24 hours.
Recovery Time from Feline Panleukopenia: If your cat receives timely, effective treatment and survives the initial 48 hours, there is a good chance of complete recovery. Cats that recover from feline panleukopenia typically do not sustain permanent organ damage and gain lifelong immunity to the virus.
Preventing Feline Panleukopenia: The most effective way to prevent panleukopenia in cats is through vaccination, particularly when they are young. All cats should receive the feline distemper shot, as it is a core vaccine that protects against panleukopenia. A modified live FVRCP vaccination is recommended for fast immunity onset.
Start your kitten’s vaccination schedule around four to six weeks of age and provide boosters every two weeks until they are at least 20 weeks old. During this time, keep your cat away from other cats or people who have cats until they are fully immunized against the virus.
Furthermore, practicing good hygiene, including regular handwashing, and maintaining a clean environment can help prevent panleukopenia virus infection. Proper sanitation involves thorough cleaning followed by appropriate disinfection, with a bleach and water solution being an effective household cleaner for this purpose.
