| Immunity levels do decline
over a period of time and therefore it is essential to vaccinate
your pets against these life-threatening diseases every year.
It is also a requirement of catteries that your pets are up
to date with their vaccinations & they may refuse them
if you can't prove this.
| Your pets can be vaccinated against
the following: |
 |
|
| Disease |
Clinical signs
|
Characteristics
of disease |
|
Feline
Enteritis
|
| May
cause vomiting and diarrhoea (sometimes with blood),
depression, loss of appetite, and intense abdominal
pain. Can also cause birth defects and abortion. |
|
|
Highly contagious
and has high death rate, especially cats under
1 year. Cats that recover continue to carry and
spread the virus. |
|
Feline
Respiratory
Disease |
| Also
known as "Cat 'Flu". Causes sneezing, coughing,
discharge from the eyes and nose, decreased appetite,
and ulcers about the mouth and tongue. |
|
| Highly
contagious, but death rate is low except in very
young kittens. The disease may be quite distressing
for both cat and owner. Cats that recover continue
to carry and spread the virus. |
|
Feline
Chlamydia |
Causes a severe
persistent conjunctivitis in up to 30% of cats.
Kittens are more severely affected by Chlamydia
following exposure to "Cat Flu".
|
|
| Highly contagious,
but non-fatal. Chlamydial organisms may also be
shed for many months after the initial infection |
|
Feline
Leukaemia |
| Loss of appetite,
weight loss, vomiting and diarrhoea. Associated
with reproductive problems, leukaemia and tumours |
|
| Any age affected.
Approximately one third of cats that recover continue
to carry and spread the virus. |
|
Feline
Immuno - Deficiency Virus |
Increased susceptibility
to other diseases, much like human AIDS.
|
|
| Any age affected.
More prevalent in un-neutered male cats.
|
|
|
We recommend the following vaccination schemes |
Kitten Course
The kitten
course involves two injections given 3 weeks apart.
The earliest age for the first vaccination is 9 weeks
We recommend that all cats be vaccinated against cat
flu (calicivirus and rhinotracheitis virus) and enteritis
(feline panleukopaenia virus). This also includes indoor
cats, since it is possible for owners to transport the
viruses inside the house on their clothing/shoes etc.
For cats that go outside we strongly recommend vaccination
against feline leukaemia virus as well. This virus is
spread by direct contact between cats, and is the second
most common cause of death in young-middle aged cats
after road traffic accidents.
The cat flu, enteritis and leukaemia vaccinations can
be given at the same time.
The kitten achieves sufficient protection from the
vaccinations 1 week after the second vaccination. At
this point it is safe for the kitten to go outside.
|
 |
|
Annual booster
|
 |
Cats require an annual booster, which is given up to 18
months after the last vaccination. If the cat has not
had a vaccination within the last 18 months, Intervet
(the vaccine manufacturer) recommend restarting the vaccination
course and giving a course of 2 injections 3 weeks apart
(i.e. treating the adult cat as if he were a kitten).
The component of the vaccine is the same each year
(cat flu, enteritis +/- leukaemia)
|
|
| If
you require further information on the vaccination process
or would like to book an appointment, please contact
the clinic. |
