Your cat counts
on you for protection
One of the very best things you can do
to give your cat a long and healthy life is to ensure that he or
she is vaccinated against common feline diseases. Your cat's
mother gave her kitten immunity from disease for the first few
weeks of existence by providing disease-fighting antibodies in
her milk. After that period it's up to you - with the help and
advice of your veterinarian - to provide that protection.
How do
vaccines work?
Vaccines contain small quantities of
altered or "killed" viruses, bacteria or other disease-causing
organisms. When administered, they stimulate your cat's immune
system to produce disease-fighting cells and proteins - or
antibodies - to protect against disease.
When should my cat be vaccinated?
Generally, the immunity that a kitten
has at birth begins to diminish after 9 weeks. It is then
usually time to begin the initial vaccinations, with the booster
following 3 to 4 weeks later. Thereafter, your cat will require
repeat vaccinations for the rest of his or her life. Of course,
these are only guidelines - your veterinarian will be able to
determine the exact schedule that's right for your pet.
Which vaccinations should my cat receive?
Most veterinarians believe that your
pet should be protected against those diseases which are most
common, highly contagious and which cause serious illness. Such
diseases could include Feline Panleukopenia, Feline Viral
Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calicivirus, Feline
Chlamydophila,
Feline Leukemia and Rabies. Other
vaccinations may be recommended, based on your veterinarian's
evaluation of the risks posed by such factors as your cat's
particular heredity, environment and lifestyle.
 |
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis
Just as with the human common
cold, the virus that causes this upper respiratory-tract
infection is easily transmitted from one cat to another,
so vaccination is imperative if your pet will come in
contact with other cats. Its symptoms may take the form
of moderate fever, loss of appetite, sneezing, eye and
nasal discharges and coughing. Kittens are particularly
affected, but this disease can be dangerous in any
unprotected cat, as effective treatment is limited. Even
if a cat recovers, it can remain a carrier for life.
|
 |
 |
Feline Calicivirus
This virus is another major
cause of upper respiratory-tract infection in cats.
Widespread and highly contagious, its symptoms of fever,
ulcers and blisters on the tongue and pneumonia
(inflammation of the lungs) can range from mild to
severe, depending on the strain of virus present. Once
again, treatment of this disease can be difficult. Even
if recovery does take place, a recovered cat can
continue to infect other animals, as well as experience
chronic sneezing, runny eyes, and severe gum disease.
Vaccination is therefore tremendously important.
|
 |
 |
Feline Panleukopenia
Sometimes known as feline
distemper, this disease is caused by a virus so
resistant, it can survive over one year outside a cat's
body! Therefore, as most cats will be exposed to it
during their lifetimes and infection rates in
unprotected cats can run as high as 90% to 100%,
vaccination against this usually fatal disease is
absolutely essential. Symptoms can include listlessness,
diarrhea, vomiting, severe dehydration and fever.
Happily, the vaccine itself is very effective in
preventing the disease, as treatment is very difficult
and, even if recovery takes place for a period of time,
a once-infected cat can spread the disease to other,
unvaccinated animals.
|
 |
 |
Rabies
This incurable viral disease
affects the central nervous system of almost all
mammals, including humans. It is spread through contact
with the saliva of infected animals (which can include
skunks, foxes, raccoons and bats) through bites or any
break in the skin. Vaccination will provide your cat
with much greater resistance to rabies if he is exposed
to the disease, but you must be aware that there is no
cure once it occurs. For this reason, many
municipalities absolutely require that all cats receive
rabies vaccinations on a regular basis. Plus, you will
definitely have to prove that your cat is vaccinated if
you ever have to travel with him - whether across the
country or around the world.
|
 |
 |
Feline Leukemia (FeLV)
Infection with the Feline
Leukemia Virus can result in a multitude of serious
health problems for your cat - everything from cancerous
conditions such as lymphoma to a wide range of secondary
infections caused by the destruction of the immune
system. In fact, it is the leading cause of death in
North American cats. After initial exposure to the
virus, a cat may show no symptoms of its presence for
months, if not years, yet all the while infect others.
Testing is available to determine the FeLV status of
your cat. If he or she has not yet been infected, but is
likely to come in contact with cats that are,
vaccination against this fatal disease is highly
recommended.
|
 |
 |
Feline Chlamydophila
This bacterial disease is
responsible for 5% of all feline respiratory diseases.
It is extremely contagious, especially in young kittens
and the infection rate is very high. It causes a local
infection of the mucous membranes of the eyes but may
also involve the lungs. Chlamydophila
can be transmitted to humans by
direct contact. Vaccination is the preferred method for
prevention.
|
 |
Other
Vaccinations
After evaluating your cat's
particular situation and risk factors, your veterinarian may
also recommend vaccination against other infectious
diseases. But that determination is made based on your cat's
life style and potential of coming into contact with these
rarer diseases.
How effective is vaccination?
Like any drug treatment or surgical
procedure, vaccinations cannot be 100% guaranteed. However,
used in conjunction with proper nutrition and acceptable
sanitary conditions, vaccination is clearly your pet's best
defense against disease. Plus, when you consider what
treating a serious illness can cost you and your beloved cat
in terms of both money and distress, prevention through
vaccination is extremely cost-effective.
|
|
|