Feline Vaccinations

by Rina Van Eeden | May 12, 2020 | Cats, Vaccinations

It is very important to realise that by simply vaccinating your dog or your cat, you can lessen and, more importantly, to a great extent prevent incredible hardships your pet will endure when they acquire any one of these diseases.

The majority of these diseases are fatal in one way or another.

In South African, we vaccinate against the following diseases.

Feline Panleukopenia:

Feline panleukopenia is a highly contagious, often FATAL, viral disease of cats that is seen worldwide. Kittens are affected most severely. The causative parvovirus is very resistant.

Virus particles are abundant in all secretions and excretions during the acute phase of illness and can be shed in the faeces of survivors for as long as 6 weeks after recovery. Being highly resistant to inactivation, parvoviruses can be transported long distances via fomites (eg. shoes, clothing).

FPV infects and destroys actively dividing cells in bone marrow, lymphoid tissues, intestinal epithelium and, in very young animals, cerebellum and retina.

Feline Calicivirus:

Along with the rhinotracheitis virus, feline calicivirus (FCV) is responsible for most feline upper respiratory infections. Cats that go outside or spend time around other cats are at increased risk for exposure to FCV infection.

Feline upper airway infections are very common. They resemble the common cold in people and are characterized by clinical signs such as sneezing, wheezing and discharge from the eyes and nose. Along with the rhinotracheitis virus, feline calicivirus (FCV) is responsible for most feline upper respiratory infections.

Calicivirus is HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS among cats.

Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis:

The onset of feline viral rhinotracheitis is marked by fever, frequent sneezing, inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis), inflammation of the lining of the nose (rhinitis) and often salivation.

Excitement or movement may cause sneezing.
The fever may reach 40.5°C, but subsides and then may come and go.

Initially, the disease causes a clear discharge from the nose and eyes; it soon increases in amount and contains mucous. At this point, depression and loss of appetite become evident. Severely affected cats may develop mouth inflammation with sores, and inflammation of the cornea occurs in some cats.

The outlook is generally good except for young kittens and older cats. When the illness is prolonged, weight loss may be too severe.

Feline Chlamydophila:

Feline Chlamydophila (formerly known as Chlamydia) mainly causes conjunctivitis in the cat. Conjunctivitis may be defined as the inflammation of the delicate membranes or conjunctiva that cover the inner surface of the eyelids and over the white part of the eye (the sclera).

Infection is relatively common in cats, with up to 30% of cases of chronic conjunctivitis caused by this organism.
Although cats of all ages can be infected, disease is seen most commonly seen in young kittens (5 – 12 weeks old) with persistent or recurrent infection.

Infection therefore typically occurs through direct contact and disease is more commonly seen where large groups of cats are kept together, such as multi-cat households, breeding catteries and shelters.

Rabies:

Rabies is an acute, progressive viral encephalomyelitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord) that principally affects carnivores and bats, although any mammal can be affected. The disease is FATAL once clinical signs appear.

Rabies is found throughout the world. Globally, the DOG IS THE MOST IMPORTANT RESERVOIR, PARTICULARLY IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.

Wildlife plays an important role in the transmission of rabies in certain areas.

This virus is highly neurotropic, so it infects nerve cells.

Transmission almost always occurs via introduction of virus-laden saliva into tissues, usually by the bite of a rabid animal. Usually, saliva is infectious at the time clinical signs occur, but domestic dogs, cats and ferrets may shed virus for several days before onset of clinical signs.

This is an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS virus that can also infect HUMANS!

Kittens need to be vaccinated from 8 weeks of age. We follow a standard vaccination protocol.
8 Weeks – 4-in-1 Vaccine
12 Weeks – 4-in-1 Vaccine as well as first Rabies Vaccine
16 Weeks – Final kitten Rabies booster

There after they need yearly boosters for the rest of their lives.

We acknowledge that every pet is unique, therefore we do personalise vaccination protocols should it be deemed necessary for a certain pet.

Be sure to ask our staff more about vaccination protocols.

Did you know, dogs also need vaccinations! Find out more about that from our blog – https://kimvet.co.za/puppy-vaccinations/
For more information regarding important vaccinations for pets, please check out this website – https://www.petmd.com/cat/wellness/essential-cat-vaccinations