Cat Vaccination

Protecting Your Feline Friend

Vaccination has played a significant role in preventing infectious diseases in our beloved pets. It is crucial to ensure that all pets receive proper vaccinations to contribute to the overall health and well-being of the pet population. Responsible pet care entails providing kittens with their initial vaccinations, but it's important to remember that these vaccinations do not provide lifelong protection. Adult cats require regular vaccination to maintain immunity against various diseases.

We recommend contacting us to discuss a suitable vaccination schedule for your kitten or cat.

Kitten Vaccination

Newborn kittens receive temporary protection against many diseases through antibodies in their mother's milk. However, these maternal antibodies decline within a few months, making vaccinations necessary to stimulate their own immune system. A series of vaccinations are required to effectively strengthen their immunity.

For adequate protection, kittens should receive at least two vaccinations, spaced 3-4 weeks apart, against diseases such as feline panleukopenia virus, feline calicivirus, feline herpesvirus, Chlamydia felis, and feline leukaemia virus. Additionally, cats with outdoor access should receive three vaccinations, 2-4 weeks apart, against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) starting from 8 weeks of age.

Adult Cat Vaccination

Over time, the immunity gained from kitten vaccinations weakens, leaving your pet susceptible to diseases. Annual health checks and booster vaccinations are essential to provide the best possible protection for your pet throughout their life.

Post-Vaccination Care

Following vaccination, some cats may experience mild symptoms such as temporary off-color, slight swelling, or tenderness at the injection site. Typically, providing access to food, water, and a comfortable resting area is sufficient for a quick recovery. However, if the response appears severe or persists, we recommend contacting us for advice.

Infectious Diseases of Cats We Vaccinate Against

 
  1. Feline Panleukopenia Virus (Feline Enteritis or Feline Parvovirus)
  2. Feline Respiratory Disease (‘CatFlu’)
  3. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
  4. Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) 5. Chlamydia felis
Each of these diseases poses a significant threat to your cat's health and should be prevented through appropriate vaccinations.

We invite you to connect with us to discuss the most suitable vaccination program for your cat. Our team is dedicated to ensuring the health and well-being of your feline companion.

 

 

Feline Panleukopenia Virus (also known as Feline Enteritis or Feline Parvovirus)

This is a very contagious disease and the death rate is high, especially for young cats under 12 months of age. Pregnant cats may lose their young or give birth to kittens with abnormalities such as brain damage. Symptoms of feline panleukopenia are depression, loss of appetite and uncontrollable vomiting and diarrhoea, often with blood and severe abdominal pain.

The virus spreads so easily that heavily contaminated areas may need cleaning with a special disinfectant. Cats that do recover may continue to carry the virus for some time and infect other cats.

Feline Respiratory Disease (‘CatFlu’)

90% of ‘cat flu’ cases are caused by feline herpesvirus (also known as feline rhinotracheitis) and/or feline calicivirus.

Feline respiratory disease affects cats of all ages, especially young kittens, Siamese and Burmese cats. It is highly contagious and causes sneezing, coughing, runny eyes, nasal discharge, loss of appetite and tongue ulcers.

Fortunately, the death rate is low except in young kittens, but the disease is distressing and clinical signs may persist for several weeks. Recovered cats can continue to carry and spread the infection for long periods, and can show signs of the disease again if they become stressed.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) attacks a cat’s immune system, similar to HIV in humans. Infected cats’ natural defence against other diseases may be seriously affected, much in the same way as human AIDS.

This disease is not transmissible to humans.

FIV is almost always transmitted by bites from infected cats, since the virus that causes the disease is present in saliva.
While some infected cats show no sign of disease, others may display initial symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, lethargy and swollen lymph nodes.

As the disease progresses, symptoms may occur such as weight loss, sores in and around the mouth, eye lesions, poor coat and chronic infections.

Eventually, the immune system becomes too weak to fight off other infections and diseases. As a result, the cat may die from one of these subsequent infections.

Unfortunately in Australia, a lot of cats with some form of outdoor access are infected with this virus.

Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV)

Feline Leukaemia is a serious disease of cats caused by feline leukaemia virus.

The virus attacks the immune system and may be associated with lack of appetite, weight loss and apathy, pale or yellow gums, vomiting, diarrhoea, reproductive problems, increased susceptibility to other infections, leukaemia and tumours. Many cats may be infected and show no signs at all.

About one third of infected cats remain chronically infected and may shed virus in their saliva, tears, nasal secretions and urine. The disease is then spread to uninfected cats by mutual grooming, fighting, sneezing or even flea bites.

Chlamydia felis

Chlamydia felis is a bacterial disease whichis responsible for up to 30% of conjunctivitis in cats, and causes severe and persistentsigns.

Kittens are more severely affected by Chlamydia felis when also infected with “Cat Flu”, and Chlamydia felis can be shed for many months. Vaccination against cat flu and Chlamydia felis helps protects against clinical disease.