Shelter spokeswoman Cheryl Wallach said that may be the only way to save unaffected cats and stop the march of the deadly disease that slowly kills its victims by attacking their lungs.
I wonder who wrote this misinformed article? Actually panleukopenia attacks the gastro-intestinal tract...not the lungs. I've had distemper hit here a few times with fresh rescued kittens, and it's so devastating. It doesn't always kill off the whole cat group however. Many are capable of fighting off the viral attack with supportive therapy, and are immune for life once the virus has been shed from their systems.