Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV)

Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV), also known as Feline Enteritis or Feline Parvovirus, is a highly contagious and potentially fatal viral disease, particularly in cats under 12 months of age. Pregnant cats infected with FPV may experience fetal loss or give birth to kittens with congenital abnormalities, including neurological defects.

Clinical signs of feline panleukopenia include lethargy, anorexia, severe vomiting, and diarrhea, which may contain blood, accompanied by pronounced abdominal pain.

The virus is extremely resilient and can contaminate environments for extended periods. Effective control requires thorough cleaning with specialized disinfectants capable of inactivating the virus.

Feline Respiratory Disease (“Cat Flu”)

Approximately 90% of feline respiratory disease cases are caused by Feline Herpesvirus (Feline Rhinotracheitis) and/or Feline Calicivirus.

This condition affects cats of all ages, with young kittens being particularly susceptible. It is highly contagious and presents with clinical signs such as sneezing, coughing, ocular and nasal discharge, anorexia, and oral ulcers.

Although the mortality rate is generally low—except in very young kittens—the disease is distressing, and clinical signs can persist for several weeks. Cats that recover may continue to carry and shed the virus, potentially transmitting the infection to other cats. Recovered cats may also exhibit recurrent signs if subjected to stress.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is a viral infection that targets a cat’s immune system, functioning in a manner similar to HIV in humans. Infected cats may experience a significant reduction in their ability to fight other diseases, analogous to human AIDS. Importantly, FIV is not transmissible to humans.

FIV is primarily transmitted through bite wounds, as the virus is present in the saliva of infected cats. While some cats remain asymptomatic for years, others may initially exhibit signs such as fever, anorexia, diarrhea, lethargy, and swollen lymph nodes.

As the infection progresses, affected cats may develop weight loss, oral ulcers, eye lesions, poor coat condition, and chronic infections. Eventually, immune suppression may become severe, leaving the cat vulnerable to secondary infections, which are often the ultimate cause of death.

In Australia, FIV is relatively common, particularly among outdoor cats, with approximately 1 in 7 cats with outdoor access infected.

Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV)

Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) is a contagious viral infection that targets the immune system. Infected cats may exhibit clinical signs such as anorexia, weight loss, lethargy, pale or jaundiced gums, vomiting, diarrhea, reproductive issues, increased susceptibility to infections, and in some cases, leukaemia or other tumors. However, many infected cats remain asymptomatic.

Approximately one-third of infected cats develop chronic infection and may shed the virus through saliva, tears, nasal secretions, and urine. Transmission to uninfected cats occurs via close contact, including shared food or water bowls, mutual grooming, fighting, sneezing, or even through flea bites.

Chlamydia felis

Chlamydia felis is a bacterial infection responsible for up to 30% of conjunctivitis cases in cats, often causing severe and persistent ocular signs.

Kittens are particularly susceptible, especially when concurrently infected with feline respiratory disease (“Cat Flu”). Infected cats may shed the bacteria for several months, posing a risk of transmission to other cats.

Vaccination against both feline respiratory disease and Chlamydia felis can help protect cats from developing clinical illness.