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Cat Care Tips
What
Illnesses Do Cat Vaccinations Include?
All felines should be vaccinated annually to protect their
health. Even if your cat is indoors, there is a possibility
that he may escape and be exposed to harmful diseases.
Vaccines typically fall into two categories: core vaccinations
that are recommended for all cats, and non-core vaccinations
that are administered under certain circumstances.
Core Vaccinations
Core vaccinations help protect your cat from: Feline herpesvirus
1(FVH1), Feline calicivirus (FCV), Feline panleukopenia virus
(FPV), and rabies. After initial inoculations and a booster
at one year, the FHV1, FCV, and FPV vaccines can be repeated
at three-year intervals, if your cat is at a low risk of exposure.
After initial inoculation for rabies, MLV vaccinations are
recommended annually. Killed virus vaccines can be given as
a one-year booster and every three years after that.
Learn more about the disease that your cat should be vaccinated
against:
Feline
herpesvirus 1 (FHV1), also known as feline rhinotracheitis,
affects cats around the world. It manifests as respiratory
symptoms, including sneezing, nasal discharge, rhinitis (inflammation
of the nose) and conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eyelid-lining
membrane). It can also affect the reproductive tract, causing
pregnancy complications. Feline herpesvirus 1 is part of the
feline upper respiratory infection complex—viral and bacterial
infections resulting in sneezing and discharge from the eyes
and nose. Of this group of infections, FHV 1 is the most common.
Feline
calicivirus (FCV) is a common viral disease in cats.
FCV is fairly mild, resulting in upper respiratory symptoms,
sores in the mouth, pneumonia, and possibly arthritis. A flu-like
condition, FCV seldom results in serious complications. Also
part of the feline upper respiratory infection complex, calicivirus
and FHV1 make up 85–90% of upper respiratory infections in
cats.
Feline
panleukopenia virus (FPV) is a much more severe, contagious
viral disease affecting cats (including kittens), raccoons,
and mink. Common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, low white
blood cell count, and seizures. FPV invades rapidly growing
cells, typically those of the digestive system, lymph tissue,
bone marrow, and developing nervous system. FPV is widespread
in nature, so nearly all cats are exposed to it within the
first year of life. This is due to the fact that FPV is extremely
stable in the environment and cannot be killed by most common
disinfectants.
Rabies can be transmitted from wild animals to unvaccinated
domestic animals and even humans. Rabies is transmitted through
the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite, and
is nearly always fatal. Once an animal is infected, the rabies
spreads to the central nervous system, causing inflammation
in the brain.
Non-Core Vaccinations
Non-core vaccinations are given to cats when circumstances
indicate that they may be at risk for a particular disease.
Feline
leukemia virus (FeLV) vaccination is recommended for
outdoor cats or cats having contact with other feline of indeterminate
FeLV status. After 16 weeks of age, acquired resistance to
infection develops, so it’s most effective for kittens or young
cats. A number of FeLV vaccinations are on the market.
Feline
immunodeficiency virus (FIV) vaccine was released in
July 2002. This vaccine is not as effective as those for other
viruses, and previous vaccination may not rule out infection.
When deciding whether to get your cat vaccinated for FIV, research
your options and discuss the matter with your veterinarian
until you feel comfortable.
Feline
infectious peritonitis (FIP) vaccine has a short duration
of immunity, and its effectiveness is under debate. The rate
of FIP incidents in the general cat population is very low—in
single-cat households, only 1 in 5000 cats are infected. Keep
this in mind when considering the vaccination.
Chlamydophila felis is a disease causing conjunctivitis and
is part of the feline upper respiratory infection complex.
Typically, chlamydophila felis responds to antimicrobial treatment.
Vaccination results in a short duration of immunity and incomplete
protection. For these reasons, vaccination is relatively rare,
and used mostly in a cat population with a high recurrence
of the infection.
Bordetella
bronchiseptica mostly affects young kittens, causing
lower respiratory tract disease. In older cats, although uncommon,
it can be treated with antibiotics. Vaccination may be the
proper course for kittens in a multiple cat environment that
puts them at high risk of exposure.
Gardia
vaccine is not regularly used because of its many limitations
and the greater potential for vaccine-associated sarcomas.
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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