Panleuk and MY cats

[desperatetostop]

I'm cat-sitting at the house of a 'president' of a cat rescue...in total she has 21 cats here at the house...though four of them are adoption centers while she's on vacation. She has 3 calico poly-dactyl kittens...i have no idea how old they are, but two of them I have already 'rushed' to the vet for a PanGee(??) and Vit B shot due to high fever, no eating, and no muscle tone in hind quarters. It started with one yesterday (dropped her off at vet on my way to work) then tonight when I got home with her I noticed her sister is having the same symptoms...took her to vet (temp was 105.4) vet thinks its PanLeuk.

My question....in between bringing sister home and taking second one to vet...i did go home and of course loved on my own cats for a few minutes before rushing back over here. Do my cats have a chance of getting this PanLeuk? I just googled it and it stated that its very contagious.... my cats are all 5 and older and have shots yearly.

Thank you!

[desperatetostop]

Thank you so much for answering my question. I think my adult kitties are safe, as they have been vaccinated every year.

Unfortunately, i've noticed that the thirds sister in the kitten litter does not have a great appetite...I may have to take her to vet next :(

I am certainly earning my wings for petsitting this week!

[Thomas Dock, CVJ, Vet. Technician]

Wow...it sure sounds like you have your hands full at that house!!

Feline Panleukopenia is a viral disease that is similar to, and thought to be the precursor to, canine parvovirus.   These viruses are very hardy in the environment and can be carried around with you on your shoes and clothing.  It is very contagious among cats and outbreaks are often seen at shelters and rescues were many of the cats are not fully vaccinated.

Now, if your cats have all been vaccinated more than once for panleukopenia (or feline distemper) in the past, odds are that you don't have anything to worry about.   Just monitor for anybody who decides to that they don't want to eat.  Anorexia is one of the early signs of these type of diseases.