Cat With Distemper: Is He Getting Better?

Four or five days ago, the vet told me my seven-year-old cat, Alex, had distemper. Unfortunately, we didn't have the money for him to stay at the vet, so he gave Alex some liquids and stomach medicine, then sent us home with antibiotics. He had a fever of 105, was vomiting, had diarrhea, and refused to eat or drink. The vet told us that his chances were about 50/50, and to make him as comfortable as possible. The stomach medicine stopped the vomiting and since then we've been nursing him with a syringe, giving him water and chicken broth every few hours. I was able to get rid of his fever, (as of a few minutes ago, his temperature was 101.7) and yesterday he started eating and drinking a bit on his own! I was hoping someone could tell me if his chances have improved much in light of this. Also, if he does recover, how worried should I be of him getting sick again from bacteria in the house? I plan on throwing out clothes and towels he's rested on while sick, and bleaching the surfaces in the house, are there any other precautions I should take? Sorry for such a long question, but it's so hard to find info about this online, and the vet's out of his office until Monday. 

Distemper is a virus.  If he recovers, and it sounds like he IS recovering, he will be immune to it for the rest of his life.  It kills almost all kittens, but some adults can fight through it with proper nursing care.  There is no way to kill the virus, his immune system has to do that.  Then he will probably be a little weak and anemic for awhile but then he will grow back his immune system and get over his anemia and be just fine.  There is a vaccine that works 100% before they are exposed to it.  If you have any other kittens or cats that are not vaccinated, take them to the vet and get them vaccinated right away.

From lack of mention of any other cats, I'm guessing he is the only one you've had? He sounds be doing very well! A nice tip is rubbing alcohol on his paw beans with help draw out fever. He is not likely to get it again, but his fight is not over and neither is yours. When it comes to distemper that is HIGHLY contagious for cats bleaching, disinfecting, washing hands and changing clothes, before dealing with any other cats are super recommended as well as treating for any fleas that could help carry the disease. This year we had a bad break within our Foster home system and it is so terrifying. Kittens have such a low chance of survival but we have about 6 in our ranks. Adults have a better chance, but it still requires a close eye. They can shed the disease for up to 6 months! So sanitizing and disinfecting are highly recommended.

Did the vet do a test or did he just diagnose based on symptoms? If the cat has ever had a distemper shot, even when he was young, and the vet didn't do a test, I doubt this is actual panleukopenia. Sounds like a random stomach virus. I think "distemper" (cats don't actually get distemper, that's just the common name) lasts longer than that. I hope he recovers quickly and feels better soon!