One of the leading causes of death in kittens is the infectious viral disease called Feline Panleukopenia. Also known as feline infectious enteritis and referred to as feline distemper, this highly contagious disease sickens a cat by attacking its white blood cells.

• Loss of appetite
• Severe apathy
• High fever

• Repeated vomiting that is frothy and yellow-stained with bile
• Pain in the abdomen that causes felines to cry and crouch
• Diarrhea
• Stools that are yellow or blood-streaked
• Sometimes death

• Through direct contact with an infected animal
• Through direct contact with an infected animal’s secretions such as on food dishes, bedding, litter boxes, carpet and furniture
• Through contact with skin and clothing of people who have treated an infected cat

The mortality rate for kittens that are infected with Feline Panleukopenia both before and shortly after birth is very high. Those who do recover from this infection may have cerebella brain damage and walk with an uncoordinated gait that is wobbly and jerky. Infected kittens will frequently end up with secondary bacterial infections and it is often these infections that cause their death. 

 Survivors of Feline Panleukopenia are immune to re-infection. However, recovered felines and felines who are asymptomatic carriers can still shed the virus for several weeks which increases the opportunities for viral exposure within a feline population. Fortunately, for felines who already have Feline Panleukopenia acquired protective antibodies, any re-exposure stimulates their immune system and helps boost their immunity to this disease. 

Since most felines will be exposed to this virus at some point in their lifetime, the most effective prevention is through vaccination. Wild animals such as raccoons and feral cats are very susceptible and can be carriers of this disease so it is also important to keep outside felines vaccinated. The Feline Panleukopenia virus is very hardy and is resistant to most ordinary household disinfectants, but washing and disinfecting with a 1:32 bleach and water mixture will destroy the virus.