Let us take a look at Feline Distemper, aka Feline Panleukopenia. This is a virus which can be compared to Parvovirus in dogs.

How does it spread?

Through contact with an infected cat's bodily fluids, feces, or fleas. The virus may also sometimes spread through contact with bedding, food dishes, or even by handlers of infected cats.

This is why even indoor cats that have no contact whatsoever with any other cats are injected against this disease.

What does it do?

It attacks the intestinal system of a cat, resulting in bloody diarrhea , causing severe dehydration, malnutrition, anemia, and often death with a mortality rate of 60-90%.

This is why vaccination is so incredibly important. There is a good, reliable vaccine available against this disease.

How can I tell?

Symptoms include depression, lethargy, loss of appetite, a high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of skin elasticity. A blood-test is used to diagnose the disease.

It is incredibly painful to die from this disease and incredibly likely once contracted. It is gruesome to see your cat wither away like this, trust me. I have seen patients like this at the clinic and it is not a pretty sight.