08/15/2026
We are seeing growing rates of panleukopenia in the region, so we’d like to share some information for those of you who may not be familiar.
Panleukopenia is an extremely infectious parvovirus that affects cats. It has a high transmission rate and can even be passed to indoor cats if someone enters your home with the virus on their person (shoes, clothes, etc…). Panleukopenia is deadly and has been known to wipe out entire feral colonies.
All cats are susceptible to panleukopenia, but it is exceptionally deadly for kittens, with a mortality rate of over 90%. It is also harder on senior cats and immunocompromised cats.
It is not uncommon for folks to skip the vaccine to save money, but if your cat is infected, the emergency veterinary care will cost thousands of dollars, and there is still a high probability that your cat will not survive.
We offer the FVRCP vaccine for $20. There is no cost for the visit, just for the vaccine. It is imperative to receive the boosters for maximum protection. Young kittens may require 3-4 total doses depending on the age when they are first vaccinated. After the initial series, the FVRCP vaccine should be administered every 1-3 years, at the guidance of your vet.
Symptoms of panleukopenia can show up anywhere from 3-15 days after exposure. Common symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, extreme lethargy, and dehydration, but many cats don’t present with obvious symptoms until it is too late, which is why vaccination is imperative.
We strongly recommend that your cat have a minimum of one dose of the FVRCP vaccine prior to spay/neuter surgery. You can schedule vaccine appointments on our website as preventative care appointments. We currently have several vaccine appointments available next week.
