In addition to the lymphoid tissue FPLV may also infect the rapidly dividing intestinal epithelial cells in the crypts of Lieberkuhn. Regeneration of the villus is prevented resulting in greatly shortened, nonabsorptive villi. The second form of the disease may occur due to direct transmission when the kitten is less than two weeks old or may occur due to in utero infection of the fetus. The outcome of in utero infection may be variable. If early, death of the fetus may result either by resorption or abortion.
Infection occurs at a higher rate than clinical disease.
The severity and the mortality of the disease produced by the virus parallels the severity of the leukopenia. Other clinical manifestations include infertility, abortion, ataxia, incoordination, tremors, hypermetria, seizures, behavioural changes and retinal lesions. Diagnosis of FPLV is based on the above clinical signs associated with a leukopenia. In areas that have good vaccination programs in place the incidence of this disease is quite low. The treatment for Feline Panleukopenia involves monitoring, vigorous fluid therapy and supportive care.