Maple Veterinary Hospital veterinarians want
to keep your cat healthy and safely protected from preventive feline
diseases. As part of your cat’s vaccination and wellness examination visit, our Licensed
Veterinary Technicians (LVTs) will discuss your pet’s exposure risk to
the feline diseases outlined on this page. With your input, our LVTs
will assess your pet’s exposure risks. Based on your pet’s risk
assessment, our veterinarians will recommend a vaccination plan
specifically designed to protect your cat from severe and sometimes
fatal feline diseases.
DISTEMPER
Also called Panleukopenia, is a highly contagious potentially fatal
viral disease that affects a cat's gastrointestinal system. RHINOTRACHEITIS, CALICI VIRUS,
AND CHLAMYDIA
These viruses are highly contagious viral infections that attack the
respiratory system. These diseases are sometimes fatal to kittens.
Risk Factors:All cats are at risk for feline distemper and upper respiratory
diseases that are spread by airborne viruses that can be carried into
your own house on your clothes and shoes or on breezes through open
windows. Your cat is also at high risk of exposure in outside areas
where other cats have roamed. Skunks can also spread these
diseases to areas where your cat can be exposed.
Frequency of Vaccination:
Annually unless replaced by annual titer testing.
A fatal viral infection
of the central nervous system which is transmitted through the saliva of
an affected animal and poses a serious public health threat.
RiskFactors: Rabies affects
ALL mammals, including
humans, dogs, cats, raccoons, skunks,
bats, and fox. Local animal control officials have reported that rabid
wild animals have been recently found in the Troy and Sterling Heights
areas.
Rabies Risks for Indoor Cats: As
strange as it may sound, indoor cats have been exposed to rabies. One
feline patient captured a rabid bat that came into the house through the
chimney while the owners were out. Another family was sudden surprised
when a rabid skunk ripped through the screen door and attacked their
cat. Fortunately, for both families, their cats had been vaccinated for
rabies which eliminated the risk of exposure for the pets and the
families. You never know what may happen - be safe - be wise - vaccinate
for rabies!
FrequencyofVaccination:
The initial rabies vaccination is given for a period of 1 year. At the
time of the first rabies booster vaccine, the duration of the vaccine
resistance period becomes 3 year. From then on, rabies vaccinations are
boosted every 3 years.
Licensing: Maple Veterinary Hospital
will provide you with a Certificate of Vaccination that you will need to
present to the pet licensing department for your municipality. Some
municipalities require licensing of both dogs and cats. Please check
with the pet licensing department of your municipality to be sure of the
laws governing your pets.
A contagious virus which
inhibits the immune system and results in various types of cancer and
other chronic diseases. The virus is present in saliva, urine and other
body fluids and is typically passed from cat to cat by bite wounds and
less likely by general contact, including licking, biting, and sneezing.
There is no treatment or cure for a Feline Leukemia infected cat.
Risk Factors: Cats at high risk for
Feline Leukemia include outdoor cats, cats in multi-cat households,
stray cats, and kittens of mother cats with Feline Leukemia. Detection
of this disease is vital, since it is almost always fatal. Cats must be
Feline Leukemia tested to assure that they do not have the disease
before they can be vaccinated.
Frequency of Vaccination: Annually
if at risk of exposure.
A contagious and potentially fatal viral disease
that interferes with the immune system of cats. Once infected, the virus
lives in the blood system of an infected cat throughout their life.
There is no treatment or cure for a FIV infected cat.
FIV cats can live for years but stress may cause an FIV cat to die
suddenly. FIV cats should be kept separate from non-FIV-infected cats to
prevent further spread of this deadly disease.
Risk Factors:
FIV is spread from cat-to-cat primarily through bite wounds, as the
virus is shed in high levels through saliva. Outdoor cats are at higher
risk for contracting the disease. Although rare, it is possible for a
mother to pass the infection to her kittens.
Frequency of Vaccination: Annually if at risk of exposure.
When a cat has severe allergic reactions to
vaccines it may be best to do annual titer testing to monitor its level
of antibody protection to Feline Distemper Virus and, if needed, Feline
Leukemia Virus. Antibody level is thought to be an indication of the
body’s ability to defend against a disease.
Risk Factors: Any cat that has
severe reactions to Feline Distemper and Feline Leukemia vaccines. Also,
titer testing is a valuable diagnostic tool to evaluate disease defenses
in cats that do not produce a good immunity from a vaccine.
Frequency of Testing: Annually if at
risk of severe vaccine reactions to Feline Distemper and Feline Leukemia
vaccines.
