Feline panleukopenia (feline distemper) is a viral disease of cats caused by feline parvovirus, a close relative of canine parvovirus 2. It kills the rapidly dividing cells of the intestinal crypts, bone marrow and lymphoid tissue, so the typical patient is an unvaccinated kitten with vomiting, fever and a very low white cell count. It remains a major threat in shelters and is the reason the FVRCP vaccine is a core vaccine.
Key facts
Panleukopenia at a glance- Species and system: cats (all felids), multisystemic; GI, hematopoietic and lymphoid.
- Cause: feline parvovirus, a nonenveloped single-stranded DNA virus. It is unrelated to canine distemper virus despite the common name.
- Transmission: oronasal, from infected cats, feces and secretions, or fomites. Incubation is usually 2-7 days (up to 14).
- Classic presentation: unvaccinated kitten with fever, depression, vomiting, diarrhea and leukopenia.
- In utero or neonatal infection: cerebellar hypoplasia (tremor and incoordination for life).
- Environment: the virus can persist up to 1 year; quaternary ammonium disinfectants are not recommended.
- Zoonotic or reportable: not zoonotic.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 4 tables, 3 self-test questions and 5 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.