What are the characteristics of the feline panleukopenia virus (FPV)?
Panleukopenia (feline distemper) is caused by a virus very similar to the one that causes parvovirus disease in dogs. It is very stable in the environment and can survive years at room temperature. It survives well in lower temperatures as well, and is not killed by many of the common disinfectants. Contact with a bleach solution for 10 minutes will inactivate the virus. How common is panleukopenia? The panleukopenia virus is widespread in nature, so virtually all cats are exposed to it within their first year of life. How is the panleukopenia virus transmitted? FPV is most commonly transmitted when a susceptible cat has contact with the feces or urine of infected cats. Infected cats shed the virus in their feces and urine up to 6 weeks after they recover. FPV can also be spread by contact with urine- or feces-contaminated items such as food bowls, water dishes, clothing, shoes, hands, bedding, and litter boxes. The panleukopenia virus is also transmitted from the mother to the develop
