What is feline panleukopenia?
Updated By PetymFacts checked against official sources on
Quick answer
Feline panleukopenia is a severe, often fatal viral disease of cats caused by feline parvovirus. It causes fever, vomiting and diarrhoea and destroys white blood cells. Cats under a year old are most at risk. The virus can survive more than a year in the environment, and the core cat vaccine, the P in FVRCP, gives solid, long-lasting protection.
Also called panleukopenia, feline parvovirus, FPV, feline infectious enteritis, feline distemper, panleucopenia.
Key facts
- Signs begin 2 to 7 days after infection with fever, low mood and loss of appetite; vomiting usually follows a day or two later. Merck Veterinary Manual
- Most cats that fall ill are under 1 year old, and kittens under 5 months are the most likely to die. Merck Veterinary Manual
- The virus can persist for more than a year in the environment unless potent disinfectants are used. Merck Veterinary Manual
- A recovered cat can shed the virus in its faeces for up to six weeks, though most stop sooner. European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD)
- Panleukopenia vaccine is core for every cat in every country. WSAVAstudy
How do cats catch panleukopenia?
Through the mouth and nose, from an infected cat, its faeces or secretions, or from anything they have touched: bowls, litter trays, bedding, carriers, clothes and hands. Because the virus resists many common disinfectants and lasts for months, a kitten can catch it in a home, a shelter or a cattery where an infected cat lived long before.
An indoor cat in a flat is not safe from it. The virus rides on objects that move between homes, and International Cat Care notes that dogs, which are not affected, can pass it on. WSAVA treats the vaccine as core for every cat.
Which signs mean a cat needs a vet now?
Panleukopenia can kill a kitten with little warning. Do not wait to see whether these settle.
If A kitten that is suddenly quiet, has a fever and will not eat
Call the vet the same day; these are the first signs. Merck Veterinary Manual
If Repeated vomiting, often a day or two after the fever, with or without diarrhoea
Go to the vet. Kittens dehydrate fast and severe cases need hospital fluids. Merck Veterinary Manual
If Another cat in the home has been diagnosed
Ask the vet about the other cats at once. The virus passes on food bowls, grooming tools and bedding, and even a dog, which is not affected, can carry it. International Cat Care
If A pregnant cat that has been exposed
Tell the vet. The virus can cross the placenta and cause miscarriage or stillbirth, and rarely kittens born with a wobbly walk. Merck Veterinary Manual
How is feline panleukopenia treated?
There is no medicine that kills the virus. Severe cases need hospital care with fluids into a vein and supportive treatment while the gut and blood cells recover. International Cat Care notes that cats which recover should go on to live a normal, healthy life.
Other cats in the home need checking with your vet, and the house needs cleaning with a disinfectant that works against parvovirus. Ordinary cleaners are not enough.
How is it prevented?
By the core cat vaccine, usually given as one combined shot called FVRCP or sold under a brand name on Indian vaccine cards. Kittens start at 6 to 8 weeks and get doses every 2 to 4 weeks until 16 weeks or older, then a booster at about 26 weeks under WSAVA and AAHA/AAFP guidance. Merck calls the protection solid and long lasting.
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Questions owners ask
Is feline panleukopenia the same as parvo in dogs?
- They are closely related parvoviruses that cause similar gut disease, but feline panleukopenia is the cat disease. Cats are protected by the cat core vaccine, the P in FVRCP. Puppies need their own parvovirus vaccine, part of DHPPi. Vaccinate each species with its own vaccine.
Can an indoor cat get panleukopenia?
- Yes. The virus survives more than a year in the environment and moves between homes on objects such as bowls, bedding and grooming tools. That is why WSAVA treats the panleukopenia vaccine as core for every cat, including cats that never go outside.
Can a cat survive panleukopenia?
- Some cats do, especially adults that get hospital care. It is often fatal, particularly in kittens under 5 months, and severe infection can kill with little warning. International Cat Care says cats that recover should go on to live a normal, healthy life.
How long should I wait before bringing a new kitten home after panleukopenia?
- Ask your vet. The virus can last more than a year in a home unless the right disinfectant is used, and recovered cats can shed it for up to six weeks. Only a fully vaccinated cat should come into a home where the disease has been.
Keep reading
Related terms
More in health conditions
- ArthritisArthritis, or osteoarthritis, is a long-term joint disease in which worn cartilage lets the joint surfaces rub, causing stiffness, swelling and pain. It is very common in older dogs and cats. It cannot be cured, but pain relief from a vet, a healthy weight, gentle regular exercise and a few home changes keep most pets comfortable for years.
- Bloat (GDV)Bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), is when a dog's stomach fills with gas and twists on itself, cutting off its blood supply. It mainly affects large and giant deep-chested breeds. Unproductive retching, a swelling belly, drooling and restlessness are the signs. It is a surgical emergency that can kill within hours.
- BOASBOAS, brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, is a breathing disorder of flat-faced dogs. Narrow nostrils, an overlong soft palate and a small windpipe block airflow, so affected dogs snore, snort, tire quickly and overheat easily. It is worse in heat, humidity and obesity. Surgery can widen the airway, and a lean weight helps.
- Canine distemperCanine distemper is a serious viral disease of dogs that can attack the skin, airways, gut and nervous system. It spreads in droplets from coughing, sneezing and barking, and through body fluids. There is no specific cure, and some dogs do not survive even with treatment. The D in the DHPPi vaccine prevents it.
- Canine parvovirusCanine parvovirus, or parvo, is a highly contagious virus that attacks a dog's gut and immune system. It spreads through infected faeces, survives a long time in the environment and hits unvaccinated puppies between 6 weeks and 6 months hardest. Vomiting and bloody diarrhoea can kill within days, and it is prevented by the core vaccine.
- Cat fluCat flu is the everyday name for an upper respiratory infection in cats. More than 90% of cases are caused by feline herpesvirus, feline calicivirus or both. Cats sneeze, have runny eyes and nose and may stop eating. Most recovered cats remain carriers, and stress can bring the virus back. Vaccination usually prevents severe disease.
- Cherry eyeCherry eye is when the tear gland inside a dog's third eyelid slips out of place and shows as a smooth, red, cherry-like lump in the inner corner of the eye. It is common in young Bulldogs, Beagles, Shih Tzus and Pugs, and needs a vet, usually for surgery to put the gland back.
- Chronic kidney diseaseChronic kidney disease (CKD) is a slow, lasting loss of kidney function, common in older cats and also seen in older dogs. Early on there are often no signs; later a pet drinks and urinates more, eats less and loses weight. It cannot be cured, but a kidney diet, water and regular checks can slow it.
- DehydrationDehydration means a pet's body has lost more water than it has taken in, through heat, panting, vomiting, diarrhoea or illness. Early on the gums turn sticky; then the skin loses its spring and the eyes sink. A mildly dehydrated pet needs water and a watchful eye; a weak, vomiting or collapsing one needs a vet now.
- Dental diseaseDental disease in pets is mostly periodontal disease: plaque bacteria inflame the gums (gingivitis) and then destroy the tissue and bone holding the teeth (periodontitis). It is the most common disorder vets diagnose in dogs, and very common in cats. Bad breath, tartar and red gums are the early signs. Daily brushing prevents most of it.
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Sources
Each source was opened and read on the date shown. How Petym checks its sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Feline panleukopenia (opens in a new tab)
- European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD): Guideline for feline panleukopenia (opens in a new tab)
- International Cat Care: Feline infectious enteritis (feline parvovirus / panleukopenia virus) (opens in a new tab)
- Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital: Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) in cats (2026) (opens in a new tab)
- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: Feline panleukopenia virus (Cornell Feline Health Center) (opens in a new tab)
- WSAVA: Core and non-core vaccines for pet cats (opens in a new tab)
- WSAVA: 2024 guidelines for the vaccination of dogs and cats (WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines Group, Journal of Small Animal Practice) (opens in a new tab)
- AAHA/AAFP (Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 2020): 2020 AAHA/AAFP feline vaccination guidelines (opens in a new tab)