FELINE PANLEUKOPENIA (DISTEMPER) FACT SHEET

• Also called: feline distemper, feline parvovirus, feline enteritis virus.
• Contagious to all species of cats and raccoons.
• Signs include vomiting, depression, fever, and severe diarrhea.
• The virus may attack the fetus in utero or kittens shortly after birth and cause death or birth defects.
• The younger the cat, the greater the chance it will NOT survive.
• The virus is transmitted through all body secretions, but urine and feces are the most potent sources of infection. The virus can also live on contaminated rugs, bedding, shoes and other objects.
• An effective disinfectant is 4 oz. Clorox in one gallon of water.
• Cats remain highly susceptible to Panleukopenia until 2 weeks after the last injection of the immunization series.
• Treatment consists of providing supportive care and preventing secondary bacterial infection. We have no cure for any animal virus, just as there is no cure for any human virus.
• The body normally is about 80% water. Life is NOT possible when 12-15% of the normal body fluids are lost. In Feline panleukopenia, the cat often becomes "dehydrated" from vomiting, diarrhea, and inability to consume fluids. This is the reason fluid therapy is so important.

Death from panleukopenia may result from:

• Dehydration.
• Overwhelming bacterial infection from the cat's lowered resistance.
• Blood loss from internal hemorrhage.