08/19/2026
🚨 ARCADIA VETERINARIAN WARNS CAT OWNERS AFTER APPROXIMATELY 34 CASES OF DEADLY FELINE VIRUS IN SIX MONTHS
The five kittens pictured here belonged to one of our staff members.
They were born to a semi-feral barn cat and trapped once they were old enough to begin preparing for adoption. They appeared healthy, and we believed they were on their way to new lives in forever homes.
Then, without warning, panleukopenia struck.
Their decline was sudden. They received immediate veterinary attention and every level of supportive care available—but four of these five kittens still died.
Their story is one reason we are speaking out.
Over the past six months, Furever Friends Animal Hospital has treated approximately 34 cats and kittens with feline panleukopenia. Despite aggressive supportive care, approximately half did not survive.
“We see panleukopenia periodically, but the number of cases we’ve encountered over the past six months is concerning,” said Dr. Pamela Wright. “We’ve treated approximately 34 cases, and despite aggressive supportive care, we’ve lost roughly half of them. It’s especially heartbreaking because this is a disease we can largely prevent through appropriate vaccination.”
Panleukopenia is highly contagious and can be especially deadly for kittens and unvaccinated cats. A kitten can appear healthy before symptoms begin—and once illness develops, the decline can be devastatingly fast.
Please help protect the cats in our community:
🐾 Make sure your cats and kittens are appropriately vaccinated.
🐾 Keep newly found, adopted, or fostered cats separated from your other cats.
🐾 Do not share litter boxes, food and water bowls, bedding, carriers, or other supplies between unfamiliar cats.
🐾 Contact a veterinarian immediately if a cat or kitten develops vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, fever, extreme weakness, or a sudden decline.
We could not save four of these five precious kittens. By sharing their story—and their faces—we hope we can help save others.
Vaccinate. Isolate new arrivals. Act quickly.
Please share this warning with cat owners, rescuers, fosters, and anyone caring for outdoor or community cats.