Feline Panleukopenia
- Mary Malucci
- Jan 12, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 25, 2024
Panleukopenia is a large word that, when broken down, means a significant reduction in the numbers of all white cells in the body. This is certainly one of the more life threatening effects of the disease referred to in veterinary medicine as Feline Panleukopenia. In the early days of veterinary medicine, panleukopenia was the leading cause of death for domestic cats. Today the disease is rarely seen because of the widespread use of effective vaccines against FPV included in the Core vaccine series recommended for all cats.
Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) belongs to the same family as canine parvovirus (CPV) and can be just as tenacious. FPV can cause disease in all feline species as well as members of related families like raccoons and mink. Although related to CPV, FPV does not cause disease in dogs. However, some studies have shown that cats can be susceptible to CPV but these infections appear to be less severe than FPV.
Highly contagious, FPV can be spread through direct contact between cats or indirectly through contact with articles in their environment contaminated with nasal secretions, saliva, urine or stool. While most cats only shed FPV for a couple days, some cats will shed virus particles in their stool for up to 6 weeks after recovery. FPV can survive in the environment for up to one year. Like its canine cousin, FPV can be difficult to kill with disinfectants. Two disinfectants shown to be effective against FPV are chlorine bleach and accelerated hydrogen peroxide. Four ounces (1/2 cup) of bleach diluted in one gallon of water can be applied to a clean surface and left to sit for ten minutes. Add bleach to all laundry loads containing potentially contaminated bedding. Rescue is an accelerated hydrogen peroxide solution that cleans and disinfects and is available on Amazon or Chewy. Follow label directions carefully.
Infected cats will show signs like fever, depression, not eating, vomiting, diarrhea and, sometimes, acute death. A commonly reported sign is seeing the cat spend long periods of time staring at their water bowl but not drinking. Similar to CPV, FPV prefers to attack rapidly dividing cells in the cat's body, targeting bone marrow (anemia), lymph tissue (panleukopenia) and intestinal linings (diarrhea). On examination, these cats are severely dehydrated and have pain in their abdomen. If the infection is severe, the cat may have signs of secondary upper respiratory disease, like purulent discharge from the nose.
Left untreated, 90% of these cats will die. Even with aggressive treatment, as many as 50% of cats with panleukopenia will die, including most kittens less than 5 months old and older cats who are also struggling with other issues like intestinal parasites, anemia or secondary infections. Older healthy cats and well vaccinated cats will usually remain asymptomatic after exposure to FPV or develop only mild symptoms. Cats with panleukopenia who survive the first 5 days of treatment usually recover with continued support. Also, any cat who survives panleukopenia will have a robust immunity to FPV for the rest of their lives. Comparatively speaking, we now boast a survival rate of 90% or more for puppies with canine parvovirus who receive aggressive supportive care in a hospital setting.
When diagnosing panleukopenia, a veterinarian will consider history and symptoms and confirm with bloodwork showing severely decreased white cell counts. Some vets will test stool in a SNAP test designed to detect CPV. A positive result can confirm exposure to FPV. However, the test is not specific to FPV, so false negative results can be obtained.
When treating cats with panleukopenia, isolation is essential to limit contagion to other cats. Kittens less than 5 months old are most at risk for severe disease. Treatment requires hospitalization in an isolation setting with IV fluid support and medications to address symptoms like nausea, diarrhea and upper respiratory infections. Successful treatment may take up to 5-7 days in the hospital.
Vaccination is the best way to help your cat avoid developing panleukopenia from exposure to FPV. FPV is considered ubiquitous, which means it is everywhere, particularly in settings with large numbers of unvaccinated cats, like shelters and feral cat colonies. Modified live vaccines are the most effective and can start protecting your cat within hours. This is included in the FVRCP vaccines that are the basis of core vaccine protocols recommended for cats. The vaccines come in intranasal (nose drops) and injectable forms. For best protection against FPV, it is suggested to use the injectable form, either by itself or in addition to the intranasal vaccine, for cats in high risk settings.
"Feline Panleukopenia" Robert G. Sherding from Saunders Manual of Small Animal Practice
"Feline Panleukopenia" from Merck Veterinary Manual
"Feline Panleukopenia" from American Veterinary Medical Association
"Feline Panleukopenia" by Malcolm Weir, DVM, MSc, MPH; Tammy Hunter DVM; Ernest Ward DVM
"Feline Panleukopenia: Prevention, Management and Treatment" from ASPCApro
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