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Feline Vaccines

Why do we vaccinate our cats and what are we protecting them from? There aren’t many feline vaccines available but all play an important part in keeping our pets safe.

So what diseases can we vaccinate against?

1. Viral Rhinotracheitis – This is a highly contagious virus that causes upper respiratory tract infections. The symptoms include (but are not limited to) fever, loss of appetite, sneezing, coughing and eye or nasal discharge. This is typically transmitted from cat to cat and once it has been contracted, that cat may be a carrier for life.

2. Calicivirus – This is a similar virus to the above, Viral Rhinotracheitis, and can also cause upper respiratory tract infections. Symptoms include (but are not limited to) fever, ulcers or blisters on the tongue, and pneumonia. Again this is typically transmitted cat to cat and, if recovery takes place, they can continue to infect other cats.

3. PanleukopeniaAKA Feline Distemper – This is a highly contagious and fatal disease that is very difficult to treat and the cat can still pass on the disease once it has recovered from the symptoms. These symptoms include (but are not limited to) vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, severe dehydration, and fever. This disease can be picked up from cat to cat or in an infected environment. The virus can live up to at least 1 year outside of a cat’s body.

4. Feline Leukemia – This is a highly contagious and fatal disease that attacks the immune response system. Symptoms include (but are not limited to) pale gums, infections (can be of many different kinds from the skin to internal organs), weight loss, lethargy/weakness, enlarged lymph nodes, jaundice etc. This is typically transmitted cat to cat via saliva during catfights, mating or grooming. Once a cat contracts it, they can be an asymptomatic carrier for months to years and still transmit the disease to other cats they come in contact with.

5. Rabies – This is a highly contagious, incurable and fatal disease. It affects the central nervous system. Symptoms include (but are not limited to) over-salivation (foaming at the mouth), and sudden and unprovoked aggression. This is spread through saliva from infected animals, typically through bites or any break in the skin. This can also be passed on to humans.

It is important to vaccinate all cats but we really concentrate on those outdoor kitties. You never know what they are coming into contact with as they are instinctual hunters and will go after anything small enough for them to kill (we’ve heard of cats bringing raccoons home). They can also be attacked by any wildlife in your area. The important vaccines for indoor cats are the viral rhinotracheitis (as any cat can transmit that to them including new adoptions or fosters), panleukopenia and leukemia.

Written by Blair Lutes

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