Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), also known as Feline infectious enteritis, Feline parvoviral enteritis, feline ataxia, feline distemper, or cat plague, is a viral infection affecting cats, both domesticated and wild feline species. It is caused by feline
parvovirus, a close relative of both type 2
canine parvovirus and mink enteritis. Once contracted, it is highly contagious and can be fatal to the affected cat. The name panleukopenia comes from the low white blood cell count (
leucocytes) exhibited by affected animals.