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==Treatment==
==Treatment==
Treatment relies on supportive care. The aims of this are to rehydrate the animal, to re-establish electrolyte balances and to support the animal until the immune system produces antibodies to neutralise FPV. '''Intensive intra-venous fluid therapy''' is therefore essential, and fluids can be spiked with electrolytes to restore the animals balance. A blood tranfusion may also be necessary if the totaly leucocyte count falls below 2000 cells per decilitre. The kitten should be maintained within a warm clean environment, and food withheld until the gastroenteritis is controlled, when a simple, moist diet should be gradually reintroduced. Drug therapy should involve broad-spectrum antibiosis to control secondary bacteraemias, gastric protectants, anti-emetics and B-vitamin supplements. Feline interferon omega can be helpful but is often cost-preclusive. Barrier nursing and effective cleaning and disinfection of the environment with household bleach is of paramount importance.
Treatment relies on supportive care. The aims of this are to rehydrate the animal, to re-establish electrolyte balances and to support the animal until the immune system produces antibodies to neutralise FPV. '''Intensive intra-venous fluid therapy''' is therefore essential, and fluids can be spiked with electrolytes to restore the animals balance. A blood transfusion may also be necessary if the total leucocyte count falls below 2000 cells per decilitre. The kitten should be maintained within a warm clean environment, and food withheld until the gastroenteritis is controlled, when a simple, moist diet should be gradually reintroduced. Drug therapy should involve broad-spectrum antibiosis to control secondary bacteraemias, gastric protectants, anti-emetics and B-vitamin supplements. Feline interferon omega can be helpful but is often cost-preclusive. Barrier nursing and effective cleaning and disinfection of the environment with household bleach is of paramount importance.
Feline panleucopenia is completely preventable by routine vaccination of kittens. Modified live vaccines are most commonly used, and should be given once at 8-12 weeks of age, and a second time 3-4 weeks later. It has also been advised to give a third dose once the kitten is over 16 weeks of age, to ensure that maternally transferred immunity does not interfere with the vaccine. Cats older than 16 weeks at the beginning of the course need two injections only. Boosting is required at one year, and then every one to three years after the first year.
Feline panleucopenia is completely preventable by routine vaccination of kittens. Modified live vaccines are most commonly used, and should be given once at 8-12 weeks of age, and a second time 3-4 weeks later. It has also been advised to give a third dose once the kitten is over 16 weeks of age, to ensure that maternally transferred immunity does not interfere with the vaccine. Cats older than 16 weeks at the beginning of the course need two injections only. Boosting is required at one year, and then every one to three years after the first year.