Is panleukopaenia the same as feline parvovirus?

Yes. Feline panleukopaenia is caused by feline parvovirus (FPV), sometimes also called feline infectious enteritis. The disease name refers to the characteristic depletion of white blood cells (leukocytes — hence "panleukopaenia"). The WSAVA classifies vaccination against FPV as a core vaccine for all cats worldwide. See our cat vaccinations guide for the full schedule.

Can an indoor cat catch panleukopaenia?

Yes. FPV is one of the most environmentally stable viruses known — it survives on surfaces, clothing, and shoes for months to years. An indoor cat can be exposed via objects brought into the home or through contact with a new cat. This is one of the primary reasons indoor cats are not exempt from core vaccination. The WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines cover this explicitly.

What is the survival rate for panleukopaenia?

Without treatment, mortality in kittens approaches 90%. In cats that receive prompt intensive veterinary care (IV fluids, antibiotics for secondary infections, anti-nausea medication, nutritional support), survival rates improve significantly — but the disease remains severe and outcomes are variable. Vaccination is highly effective and provides durable immunity.

Can panleukopaenia spread to dogs or humans?

Feline panleukopaenia does not infect dogs or humans. It is related to canine parvovirus (CPV-2), but the two viruses are host-specific. Humans can, however, carry the virus on their hands and clothing — making hygiene after contact with infected animals important in multi-species households or rescue settings.

Panleukopaenia — Cat Glossary

Definition

Feline panleukopaenia (FPL), also known as feline infectious enteritis and feline parvovirus, is a serious viral disease caused by feline parvovirus (FPV). The name describes its primary effect: widespread destruction of circulating white blood cells (leukocytes), leaving the immune system severely compromised. The virus also attacks rapidly dividing cells in the bone marrow and the intestinal lining.

It is one of the most contagious feline diseases known and one of the most environmentally stable viruses — surviving on surfaces, bedding, soil, and hard floors for months to years. The WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines classify it as a core vaccine disease for all cats worldwide, regardless of lifestyle.

How it spreads

FPV spreads primarily through:

Direct contact with infected cats (most contagious during illness)
Contact with contaminated faeces, urine, vomit, or nasal secretions
Indirect contact via shared food bowls, bedding, litter boxes, and clothing — the virus is extremely stable on surfaces
Vertical transmission: infected pregnant queens can pass FPV to kittens in utero, causing cerebellar hypoplasia or stillbirth

Because FPV persists in the environment for so long, a home that has housed an infected cat can remain infectious for months even after thorough cleaning. Bleach at 1:32 dilution is one of the few household disinfectants that reliably inactivates the virus.

Signs

The incubation period is typically 2–7 days. Signs develop rapidly and can deteriorate within hours in kittens:

Sudden severe lethargy and depression
High fever (initially) followed by hypothermia as disease progresses
Vomiting — often bilious and persistent
Profuse, often bloody diarrhoea
Complete anorexia
Dehydration — sunk eyes, reduced skin turgor

Any unvaccinated kitten or cat showing rapid onset of these signs needs an emergency vet call. See our signs it is time to call the vet guide for the full emergency checklist.

Prevention

Vaccination is highly effective and provides durable immunity against FPV. Two kitten doses (at 8–9 weeks and 11–12 weeks) followed by a 12-month booster, then boosters every 3 years, provides reliable long-term protection. Full details of the kitten and adult vaccination schedule are in our cat vaccinations guide.

There is no specific antiviral treatment — management is supportive: intensive IV fluid therapy, antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infection, anti-nausea medication, and nutritional support. In kittens, even with aggressive treatment, survival is not guaranteed. Vaccination is the only reliable protection.

Definition

How it spreads

Signs

Prevention

Frequently asked questions