URGENT: Feline Panleukopenia Disease Outbreak in Fort Lauderdale – We Care More Animal Rescue Suspends Cat Intakes

Fort Lauderdale, FL – July 21, 2025 — Fort Lauderdale is a vibrant city in Florida, located on the Atlantic coast of America and known for its beautiful beach and waterfront attractions. As part of the greater Fort Lauderdale region in Broward County, the city is a major American tourist and yachting destination. In light of a confirmed outbreak of feline panleukopenia, a serious and highly contagious virus affecting cats, We Care More Animal Rescue is temporarily suspending all cat intakes, effective immediately. We are taking this precaution in alignment with Broward County Animal Care, which has also halted all feline admissions across the county.

This necessary pause includes surrenders, trap-neuter-return (TNR), and return-to-field (RTF) services until further notice.

🐾 What Is Feline Panleukopenia?

Feline panleukopenia — also known as feline distemper — is a deadly parvovirus that primarily affects kittens and unvaccinated cats. Susceptibility to feline panleukopenia varies by age, with kittens being most at risk due to declining passive immunity, and vaccination schedules are specifically tailored to different ages to ensure effective protection. It is caused by a highly contagious virus, the feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), which can survive in the environment for long periods. Related parvoviruses also affect dogs, such as canine parvovirus (CPV), but the diseases are species-specific. It attacks rapidly dividing cells in the body, including those in the intestinal tract, bone marrow, and lymph nodes.

Key facts:

• Extremely contagious through shared food bowls, litter boxes, bedding, and even clothing

• Can survive for months on surfaces if not properly disinfected

• The virus attacks white blood cells, weakening the immune system and making cats more susceptible to other infections

• Severe infections can occur, particularly in kittens and immunocompromised cats, leading to rapid deterioration and potentially life-threatening complications

• Common symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, fever, and sudden death in kittens

This virus is especially dangerous in shelter settings where close proximity makes transmission easier.

How Does Feline Panleukopenia Spread? (Cause and Transmission)

Feline panleukopenia, also called feline distemper, is caused by the feline panleukopenia virus—a type of feline parvovirus that is notorious for its ability to spread rapidly among cats. This highly contagious disease is most commonly transmitted through direct contact with infected cats, as well as exposure to their feces, urine, and other bodily fluids. Even after an infected cat appears to recover, it can continue to shed the virus, putting other cats at risk.

The virus is incredibly resilient, capable of surviving on surfaces like food bowls, bedding, and litter boxes for up to a year if not properly disinfected. In animal shelters and multi-cat environments, the risk of transmission is especially high due to the close quarters and shared resources. The feline panleukopenia virus can also be carried on clothing, shoes, and hands, making it easy to inadvertently spread the infection between locations.

Young kittens, unvaccinated cats, and those with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to infection. The incubation period—the time between exposure and the onset of symptoms—typically ranges from 2 to 7 days. During this time, the virus attacks rapidly growing cells in the bone marrow, intestines, and other parts of the body, leading to the severe symptoms associated with this disease.

Recognizing the Signs: What to Watch For (Clinical Signs)

Feline panleukopenia can present with a range of clinical signs, and early detection is crucial for the best chance of survival. Affected cats often develop symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, and a sudden loss of appetite. Depression and dehydration are also common, and in severe cases, the disease can lead to sudden death—especially in young kittens.

Secondary bacterial infections are a frequent complication, as the virus weakens the cat’s immune system, making it harder for the body to fight infection. Some infected cats, particularly kittens, may suffer from brain damage resulting in cerebellar hypoplasia—a condition that causes tremors and coordination problems. These neurological effects can be permanent, impacting the cat’s quality of life.

Because feline panleukopenia is so aggressive, it’s essential for pet owners to watch for any signs of illness, including changes in behavior, persistent vomiting, or diarrhea. If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat or kitten, seek veterinary care immediately to improve the chances of recovery and prevent the spread of the disease to other pets.

📍 How This Affects We Care More Animal Rescue

As a small but dedicated rescue, our priority is the health and safety of the animals already in our care. After consulting with local officials and veterinary professionals, we’ve made the difficult — but necessary — decision to suspend all new cat admissions at this time.

We are also encouraging the public to hold onto stray cats whenever possible, and to not attempt to trap or surrender community cats until the outbreak has passed.

In coordination with Broward County Animal Care, we are:

• Temporarily pausing TNR/RTF programs

• Following strict biosecurity and cleaning protocols in our foster homes. Vaccination and preventative care recommendations may vary depending on a cat's lifestyle, such as whether they are indoor, outdoor, or community cats.

• Monitoring the situation closely in real-time

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🚫 What This Means for the Community

We understand how distressing this news may be, especially for Good Samaritans hoping to help stray cats. But during this outbreak, bringing unvaccinated or exposed cats into shelters or rescues puts hundreds of lives at risk.

Feline panleukopenia is one of several serious diseases that can affect cats. Early diagnosis, often involving blood tests such as CBC to check blood cell counts, is crucial for identifying the disease and determining the best course of action. A poor prognosis is associated with severe cases, especially when blood work shows very low white blood cell counts, but with prompt supportive care, some cats can be treated and achieve full recovery. The panleukopenia vaccine and other vaccines are essential for preventing these diseases and protecting cat populations. For disinfection, household bleach is recommended to thoroughly clean areas contaminated by the virus.

What Are the Treatment Options and Prognosis? (Treatment and Prognosis)

There is currently no specific treatment that targets the feline panleukopenia virus itself, but supportive care can make a significant difference in the outcome for affected cats. Treatment typically involves fluid therapy to combat dehydration, antibiotics to control secondary bacterial infections, and medications to reduce vomiting and support the cat’s overall health. Severely affected cats, especially young kittens and unvaccinated cats, may require hospitalization for intensive care, including intravenous (IV) fluids and close monitoring.

The prognosis for feline panleukopenia is often poor, particularly for kittens and cats that have not been vaccinated. However, with prompt recognition of clinical signs and aggressive supportive care, some cats can recover and go on to lead healthy lives. Early intervention is key, so it’s vital to consult your veterinarian at the first sign of illness.

Prevention remains the best defense against this devastating disease. Ensuring your cat is up-to-date on vaccinations is the most effective way to protect them from feline panleukopenia and its potentially life-threatening complications.

The Lasting Impact: Long-term Effects of Feline Panleukopenia

Even after surviving feline panleukopenia, infected cats—especially kittens—may face lasting health challenges. Permanent brain damage, such as cerebellar hypoplasia, can result in lifelong coordination issues and tremors. Additionally, the disease can weaken the immune system, leaving cats more susceptible to other infections throughout their lives.

The impact of feline panleukopenia extends beyond the individual animal. For pet owners, the emotional and financial burden of caring for a cat with chronic health problems can be significant. In communities like Fort Lauderdale, where cat populations are high and animal shelters are often crowded, the risk of outbreaks and ongoing transmission is a serious concern.

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent these long-term consequences and protect both individual pets and the broader community. By staying informed and practicing responsible pet ownership, cat lovers in Fort Lauderdale and beyond can help control the spread of this highly contagious disease and safeguard the health and happiness of their feline companions.

✅ How You Can Help Right Now:

• Hold onto stray or found cats (especially healthy adults) and contact us for support and supplies

• Foster cats already in rescue to free up space and reduce crowding

• Adopt a fully vetted cat to open up safe housing options

• Make sure your own cats are fully vaccinated

• Share this message to increase awareness in our community

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🧼 Protect Your Pets

We are urging all pet owners and community caregivers to review vaccination records immediately. Panleukopenia is 100% preventable through routine vaccination. If your cat has not had its FVRCP vaccine recently — especially kittens under 6 months — contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

❤️ We’re In This Together

At We Care More Animal Rescue, our mission has always been to protect the vulnerable. This pause is temporary, but essential to stop the spread and keep our existing cats — and yours — safe. We’ll continue to provide updates as more information becomes available and intakes resume.

📧 If you have questions or need resources to care for a stray or found cat, please don’t hesitate to contact us or message us on social media.

Let’s work together to keep our feline friends safe during this challenging time!