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 For
your cat pet to enjoy time with you, she must always be in good health. Like
you, if the pets are feeling pain they are unable to feel the mood of having
fun!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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