ARF Hamptons Urges Cat Owners to Vaccinate as Feline Panleukopenia Returns to the Area

The best way to protect your cat is to vaccinate them!

ARF Hamptons is alerting local cat owners that feline panleukopenia, also known as feline parvovirus, feline parvo or feline distemper, has returned to the area. The highly contagious virus can cause severe illness and can be fatal, particularly in kittens and unvaccinated cats.

The good news is that there is an effective way to help protect your cat: vaccination.

Feline panleukopenia virus, or FPV, is a highly contagious virus that attacks rapidly dividing cells in a cat's body, particularly those in the intestinal tract and bone marrow. Infection can cause serious illness, and in some cases, the disease can progress rapidly and be fatal.

The FVRCP vaccine provides strong protection against feline panleukopenia and is considered a core vaccine for cats. ARF Hamptons strongly encourages pet owners to check that their cats are up to date on their vaccinations.

Signs of feline panleukopenia can include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and severe dehydration. If a cat develops these symptoms, owners should contact their veterinarian promptly.

Importantly, indoor cats are not completely protected from exposure. The virus can survive in the environment and may be carried into homes on shoes, clothing and other contaminated objects.

Cat owners should contact their veterinarian to discuss vaccination. ARF Hamptons also offers low-cost vaccines to the public. Appointments can be scheduled here.

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to help protect cats from this serious and potentially life-threatening disease.

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