Feline panleukopenia is a highly contagious and frequently fatal viral disease that can devastate shelter cat populations, requiring rapid outbreak response to minimize welfare harm.
Panleukopenia outbreaks in shelters cause severe and rapidly fatal disease in affected kittens, with profound welfare implications for affected individuals and the difficult decisions required for outbreak control. The supportive care required for affected kittens is intensive and resource-demanding. Population reduction through euthanasia may be the most welfare-positive response to overwhelming outbreaks where treatment capacity is exceeded. Prevention through vaccination on admission, quarantine protocols, and environmental disinfection are the most welfare-positive strategies for shelters. Shelter medicine veterinarians play a critical role in outbreak prevention and response.