Cats
Recommended Vaccines for Cats
Rabies
- Acute viral brain disease that can infect any mammal
- Cats are the most commonly reported domestic animal with rabies
- Transmission: Almost always transmitted via the bite of a rabid animal (often a skunk, raccoon or bat)
- Signs: Sudden, significant change in behavior (irritability, aggression, fear), unexplained paralysis
- Treatment: None; any unvaccinated animal exposed to rabies should be euthanized or strictly isolated immediately (follow state and local laws)
- Prognosis: Always fatal once clinical signs appear
- Vaccination: Recommended for all cats, often mandated by law
FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calicivirus, Feline Panleukopenia)
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (Feline Herpesvirus)
- Causes nearly half of all upper respiratory disease infections in cats
- Transmission: Transmitted by coughing and sneezing from an infected cat, or by a handler
- Signs: Sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes and fever
- Treatment: Supportive treatment with antibiotics for secondary bacterial infections
- Prognosis: Good, except for young kittens and aged cats
- Vaccination: Recommended for all cats
Feline Calicivirus
- Major cause of upper respiratory infections, often in tandem with feline viral rhinotracheitis
- Transmission: Transmitted by droplets coughed and sneezed from an infected cat, or by a handler
- Signs: Oral ulcers, limping, drooling, sneezing, fever, pneumonia
- Treatment: Supportive treatment with antibiotics for secondary bacterial infections
- Prognosis: Good, except for young kittens and aged cats
- Vaccination: Recommended for all cats
Feline Panleukopenia (Feline Parvovirus or Distemper)
- Highly contagious virus that destroys certain cells in bone marrow, lymph tissue, intestines and brain
- Transmission: Transmitted by saliva, mucus and other secretions of acutely ill cats
- Signs: High fever, vomiting, dehydration
- Treatment: Aggressive fluid therapy and supportive nursing care
- Prognosis: Can kill kittens quite suddenly
- Vaccination: Recommended for all cats
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
- Causes malignant tumors and anemia
- Suppresses immune system, leaving cats vulnerable to disease
- Cats can appear healthy while infected
- Transmission: Virus transmitted in saliva; young kittens are especially susceptible
- Signs: Acute early stage is rarely detected
- Treatment: Almost always ineffective
- Prognosis: Can survive for years if no secondary diseases or lymphoma
- Vaccination: Recommended for all kittens and for older cats in breeding facilities, multi-cat households and shelters