Companion Animal Welfare

Cat Panleukopenia Vaccination Welfare

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

Key Facts

Panleukopenia causes severe bloody diarrhoea, vomiting and immune collapse in affected cats
Unvaccinated kittens have mortality rates of 50-90% when infected
The virus is highly environmentally persistent surviving months outside the host
Vaccination is one of the most effective preventive measures in feline medicine
Outbreaks in rescue and shelter environments cause significant welfare harm

Welfare Considerations

Panleukopenia causes extreme suffering and is highly fatal in unvaccinated cats. Vaccination provides near-complete protection. Maintaining vaccination coverage in the domestic cat population and supporting shelter vaccination programmes prevents enormous preventable suffering.

What You Can Do

Vaccinate cats against panleukopenia as part of core feline vaccination programmes
Support shelter and rescue vaccination programmes to protect populations at highest risk
Maintain vaccination currency in adult cats throughout their lives