VACCINATIONS

Immunizing your pet against disease is one of the best tools of preventative medicine. Vaccines are inactivated or altered live disease agents that cause the immune system to produce a protective response specific to that disease.

Vaccines may be appropriate based on where you live and your pet's age and lifestyle. How often you should have you pet vaccinated against certain diseases depends on many factors. Discuss these with us to understand what is recommended for your pet's unique situation.

The type and frequency of vaccinations your cat needs will be determined during the routine annual examination. Since the protection provided by a vaccine may gradually decline over time, annual revaccination is usually necessary for your cat.

Are vaccinations safe?
Yes. The majority of pets respond well but as with human vaccines, there are some risks. Fortunately, serious side effects are rare. The most common side effects of vaccination are low-grade fever, depression or decreased appetite. These are usually short-lived (24-48 hours), require no treatment and are similar to what people experience after a flu or tetanus shot. Vomiting, diarrhea, itching, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or extremities and hives are some of the rare allergic reactions that can occur.

Cat Vaccinations…

1.   Rabies
Feline Rabies is an incurable disease which affects the central nervous system of almost all mammals, including humans. Vaccinating against rabies is highly recommended if your cat will spend any time outside. It is spread through saliva, and is most often contracted through the bite of an infected animal such as a skunk, raccoon, bat, fox, coyote, or weasel. There is a low risk for contracting rabies from rodents or rabbits, and no risk from reptiles, birds or insects. Vaccination against rabies will give your cat a much greater resistance to rabies if he is exposed.

2.  Feline Distemper Combination (FVRCP+C)
This single vaccination protects your cat against a group of diseases which includes FelineViral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia. The initial vaccination requires a 30 day booster followed by a booster annually.

     Feline Panleukopenia is also known as Feline Distemper. Treatment is very difficult and the disease is often fatal. This disease is so resistant that it can survive up to one year outside of the cat’s body. Because of this, most cats will become exposed to it at some time in their life. If an unprotected cat is exposed, the risk of infection is 90-100%. If a cat recovers, it can continue to spread the disease to other unprotected cats. Symptoms include lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, severe dehydration and fever. The good news is that the vaccine is very effective in preventing the disease.

     Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis is similar to the human common cold. This virus causes an upper respiratory tract infection with symptoms such as moderate fever, loss of appetite, sneezing, eye and nasal discharge, and coughing. It is easily transmitted from one cat to another. This disease can be dangerous in any unprotected cat, especially kittens. A recovered cat can continue to infect other animals, as well as experience chronic sneezing and runny eyes.

    Feline Calicivirus is a viral infection and another major cause of upper respiratory tract infection. It is widespread, highly contagious, and difficult to treat. There are multiple forms of the calici virus and the disease can range from mild to severe depending on the strain of virus present. Symptoms can include fever, ulcers and blisters on the tongue, pneumonia, and severe limping.

3.  Feline Leukemia if an outdoor cat – FeLV
This vaccination helps to protect your cat against Feline Leukemia. After initial exposure, a cat can show no symptoms for months, even years, while continuing to infect other cats. Once the cat shows symptoms of infection, mortality rates are 100%. Health problems can include cancerous conditions such as leukemia to a wide range of secondary infections caused by the destruction of its immune response system. Testing is available to determine the FeLV status of your cat, and if he has not been exposed, vaccination against this disease is recommended if your cat roams outside and may have contact with other outdoor cats.