Beetlejuice sits on an exam table Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, at the Pendleton Animal Welfare Shelter, Pendleton.

Veterinarian and other animal welfare professionals have noticed an uptick in feline panleukopenia in Umatilla County. As they warn the public about this disease that kills cats, especially young kittens, they are also spreading the word on how to prevent it: vaccination.

Panleukopenia, also called “panleuk,” is an infectious disease among cats. Its literal translation is “all white low,” referring to its effect, lowering a cat’s white blood cell count.

Cats pick up the virus in their environment, said veterinarian Mark Sargent, of the Oregon Trail Veterinary Clinic, sometimes from other cats, but soil also can be a source of infection. Indoor cats may be less at risk, but even they are susceptible to the disease if someone tracks the virus into their home.

Jessie Frischman, veterinarian with Hermiston Veterinarian Clinic, added the disease attacks bone marrow, decreases white blood cells and sets up its victim for other infections. Symptoms include vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhea. Death often follows, she said.

Kittens are especially at risk, as their immune systems are immature and their body fat is low.

Sargent said Umatilla County has “seen a lot” of panleuk, a “flurry of it” in the last two months among strays.

“I don’t recall seeing an outbreak like this before,” he said.

Cases sometimes pop up “here or there, but nothing like this,” he said, adding he suspects it got into the right population, stray cats, and spread like “wildfire.”

Sergeant and Frischman said vaccinations are highly effective in preventing panleuk. Cat owners can get their pets vaccinated at local vet clinics or they can do it themselves at home. Vaccinations are available at local farm stores.