Diseases & Vaccination

One of the very best things you can do to give your cat a long and healthy life is to ensure that he 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 gains from their mother’s milk begins to diminish after 8-9 weeks. It is then time to begin the initial vaccinations, usually a course of 2 or 3 injections given 3 to 4 weeks apart. 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 Rabies, Feline Panleukopenia, Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calicivirus, and Feline Chlamydiosis. 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 (“Cat Flu”), included in FVRCP 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 (“Cat Flu”), included in FVRCP 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 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 and runny eyes. Vaccination is therefore tremendously important.
	Feline Panleukopenia (parvovirus, feline distemper), included in FVRCP Sometimes known as feline infectious enteritis, this disease is caused by a virus so resistant, it can survive up to one year outside a cat’s body! Therefore, as most cats will be exposed to it during their lifetime and infection rates in unprotected cats can run as high as 90% to 100%, vaccination against this potentially fatal disease is absolutely essential. Symptoms can include listlessness, diarrhoea, 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.
	Feline Leukemia (FeLV) Infection with the Feline Leukaemia Virus can result in a multitude of serious health problems for your cat – everything from cancerous conditions such as leukemia to a wide range of secondary infections caused by the destruction of the immune response system. 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 potentially fatal disease is highly recommended.
	Feline Chlamydiosis, included in FVRCP This bacterial disease is responsible for 15 to 20% of all feline respiratory diseases, and is mostly seen in multi-cat environments. 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. Chlamydiosis can rarely 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. These might include:

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Core Vaccinations:

The following vaccinations are required for almost every dog, with limited exceptions.

• Rabies (Merial Imrab 3 TF), a viral disease that causes a fatal encephalitis.  The rabies vaccine is required by law in New Jersey.  Rabies is carried by bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes, though it can infect any warm-blooded animal, including humans.  Upon vaccination, your dog will be issued a rabies certificate.  The first rabies vaccine is good for one year.  Every vaccine after that is labeled for three years of immunity.
• Canine Distemper (included in DHPP).  Vaccination against this often fatal, hard-to-treat disease is absolutely essential. Highly contagious, it is spread by discharges from the noses and eyes of infected dogs. Symptoms can include listlessness, fever, coughing, diarrhea and vomiting; convulsions and paralysis may occur in the disease’s final stages. The distemper virus attacks many organs, including the nervous system, which may be permanently damaged, even if the dog recovers.
• Canine Parvovirus (included in DHPP), Very contagious, debilitating and widespread, the disease caused by this virus emerged in many parts of the world only in 1978. Spread through infected feces, the highly resistant virus can remain in the environment for many months. Symptoms of Parvo infection include high fever, listlessness, vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Vaccination is the only certain method of preventing this potentially fatal disease, which is most severe in young pups and elderly dogs.
• Infectious Canine Hepatitis (included in DHPP), Caused by Canine Adenovirus Type I, this disease is transmitted among dogs by contact with secretions, such as saliva, infected urine or faeces. Its symptoms are similar to those of the early stages of distemper. Causing liver failure, eye damage and breathing problems, the course of this disease can range from mild to fatal. Vaccination remains the best protection.
• Parainfluenza (included in DHPP), a virus that causes respiratory disease.
• Leptospirosis (found in DHLPP, Lepto vaccine, and Lepto/Lyme combination vaccine), a bacterial disease which attacks the kidneys and liver.  There are several strains of leptospirosis.  It is spread through the urine of wild animals.  It is zoonotic, meaning it can also infect humans.

Optional Vaccinations:

• Lyme Disease (Borreliosis), a tick-borne disease that causes lethargy, joint pain, and reduced appetite.
• Bordetella (Kennel Cough, Infectious Tracheobronchitis), Just as with the human common cold, this respiratory-tract infection is easily transmitted from one dog to another, so vaccination is imperative if your pet will come in contact with many other dogs in such situations as obedience training or boarding at a kennel.  Kennel Cough can be caused by various airborne bacteria and viruses, including Canine Parainfluenza virus, Canine Adenovirus Type II and Bordetella bronchiseptica.  You’ll first notice its onset by your dog’s dry, hacking cough, sometimes with a small amount of clear or foamy white fluid brought up at the end.  The Bordetella vaccine is required by most kennels.
• Canine Influenza (Dog flu), a viral respiratory infection.  It is rare but potentially fatal.  The influenza vaccine is required by some kennels.

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