Companion Animal Welfare

Cat Feline Panleukopenia Prevention and Welfare

Feline panleukopenia is a highly contagious and potentially fatal viral disease that is entirely preventable through vaccination.

Key Facts

Feline panleukopenia is caused by feline parvovirus and is related to canine parvovirus
The virus is extremely stable in the environment and can persist for over a year
Unvaccinated cats face high mortality rates especially as kittens
Vaccination is highly effective from 8 weeks and is a core vaccine in all cats
Shelter outbreaks can cause mass kitten mortality without biosecurity protocols

Welfare Considerations

Feline panleukopenia causes severe suffering through gastroenteritis, bone marrow suppression and death. The disease is entirely preventable through vaccination. Shelter management and owner vaccination compliance protect both individual cats and colony-level welfare.

What You Can Do

Ensure your cat is vaccinated against feline panleukopenia from 8 weeks
Keep vaccination current with booster doses as recommended
Support shelter biosecurity programmes that prevent panleukopenia outbreaks