Fla. — A highly contagious and deadly virus is exploding this summer and spreading like wildfire through local cat communities, but there is a safe and effective way to <a href="https://healthylife7.com/we-must-protect-those-who-protect-us/” title=”We must protect those who protect us”>protect felines
Deborah Pachano from Pretty Kitty Rescue in Miami has dedicated her life to rescuing and saving cat lives
“We typically have a few cases every year and that’s really normal, but we’ve never seen anything like this,” she said
This summer, she said she has lost more cats than ever before
“Nothing is more heartbreaking, I have to tell you, than to see little innocent kittens pass away right in front of you, it’s absolutely heartbreaking,” Pachano said
Doing the deadly damage is a new strain of a highly contagious and often fatal virus for felines
Vet tech Amy Dombkowski cares for more than 200 cats with Purrr Adoption & Sanctuary
“Feline panleukopenia is a highly contagious, often fatal parvo virus and it spreads like wildfire,” she said. “It’s (been) very popular with little kittens for a long, long time, but now we are starting to see a different strain that’s affecting the adults as well.”
Animal care specialists have also seen the strain adapt and become stronger as it targets innocent and unvaccinated cats
“We use different pee pee pads, we use different towels, we use gloves, we use protectants, we use disinfectants all the time,” said Dombkowski
Immediate symptoms are loss of appetite, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy
Right now, South Florida is a hot spot for this virus, and the reasons are because we are so hot, and we’re also dealing with a huge overpopulation of cats in our community, which makes it too easy for the virus to spread
Tanya Lynn Heller founded Purrr Adoption & Sanctuary and believes a lack of vaccines is fueling this summer spread
“Our fosters this year, everyone has experienced it, and it’s been bad,” said Heller. “They have lost adult cats, they have lost kittens almost immediately, so it’s really hard right now to get a foster because they are burned out, they are sad.”
For that reason, her rescue is providing low-cost care for panleukopenia, also known as feline parvo, for $25 a shot. Cats need three
“So if they can get at least one (dose) in, it helps,” said Heller. “Two helps protect them and three actually solidifies.”
Local 10 News checked with Broward County Animal Care and even though the shelter does not track cases, they said they “have seen an increase in cases this summer, resulting in 8-10 instances of cat rooms being under quarantine due to exposure.”
Miami-Dade Animal Services reported 216 cases so far this year
“It can spread so quickly, it’s very, very contagious, so you’re spreading it without even knowing they are sick,” said Pachano
Added Heller: “You could be playing with some cat that you think is healthy, come home, pet your cat, and you’ve given it a death sentence.”
The incubation period is two to seven days, making it a very risky virus that can quickly circulate before symptoms even show
There is no cure, only supportive care
There is a lab test to check for the disease, but by the time cats show signs, it’s often too late. Many die within 24 to 48 hours
“I have survived many beforehand, but with this particular strain, it just took them so fast,” said Pachano
🏠 News From Your Neighborhood
Latest headlines from:
Miami-DadeBrowardFlorida KeysCities
Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved
