08/29/2026
⚠️ PANLEUKOPENIA ALERT — KLAMATH BASIN CAT OWNERS ⚠️
We are currently seeing a significant increase in cases of feline panleukopenia in the Klamath Basin.
Panleukopenia is a highly contagious and potentially fatal viral disease of cats, especially kittens and unvaccinated cats. It is caused by feline parvovirus and can survive in the environment for a very long time.
What should cat owners know?
🐱 Vaccination is extremely important.
The panleukopenia vaccine is included in the routine FVRCP vaccine. Even cats who live completely indoors should be vaccinated because the virus can be carried into the home on shoes, clothing, carriers, and other contaminated objects.
General vaccine recommendations:
• Kittens should begin FVRCP vaccination at approximately 6–8 weeks of age and receive boosters every 3–4 weeks until at least 16 weeks of age. During periods of increased risk, vaccination through 18–20 weeks may be recommended.
• Cats older than 16 weeks with no vaccine history generally need an initial vaccine series.
• Adult cats should remain current on FVRCP boosters based on their previous vaccination history and individual risk.
If you aren’t sure whether your cat is adequately protected, call your veterinarian and have their vaccine history reviewed.
Signs of panleukopenia can include:
• Sudden lethargy or hiding
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea, sometimes severe or bloody
• Dehydration
• Rapid decline, particularly in kittens
Some cats become critically ill very quickly.
🦠 This virus is VERY hardy in the environment. It can remain infectious for many months and many common household cleaners do not reliably kill it. If you have had a sick or suspected panleukopenia-positive cat in your home, talk with your veterinarian about appropriate cleaning and disinfection before bringing an unvaccinated cat or kitten into that environment.
During this local increase in cases:
✅ Make sure your cats are current on FVRCP vaccination.
✅ Keep unvaccinated kittens away from unfamiliar cats and environments frequented by cats.
✅ Do not share carriers, bowls, bedding, litter boxes, or other equipment between cats without appropriate disinfection.
✅ If you handle unfamiliar or sick cats, change clothing and wash your hands before handling your own cats.
✅ If you adopt or bring home a new kitten, contact your veterinarian promptly to establish an appropriate vaccine schedule.
If your cat or kitten is unvaccinated and develops vomiting, diarrhea, severe lethargy, fever, or suddenly stops eating, please contact a veterinarian immediately.
Panleukopenia can be devastating—but it is also a disease for which we have a very effective vaccine.
Please share this information with other cat owners in the Klamath Basin. Keeping our community’s cats vaccinated is one of the best tools we have to slow this outbreak. ❤️🐾
— Companion Pet Clinic