Tuolumne County Animal Guide
"Pets are humanizing. They remind us we have an obligation and responsibility to preserve and nurture and care for all life."
James Cromwell
Feline (Cat) Health
"I have been told that the training procedure with cats was difficult. It's not. Mine had me trained in two days."
Bill Dana
Vaccination Information
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia (FVRCP)
Description:
Combination vaccine that protects against three diseases: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia.
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis
Description:
Upper respiratory infection of the nose and throat in cats. Cats if all ages are able to contract FVR, but kittens are at a higher risk.
Symptoms:
Sudden sneezing attacks, nasal discharge, eye discharge, lack of appetite, and spasms of the eyelid resulting in a closed eye.
Calicivirus
Description:
Common respiratory disease in cats. The virus goes after the respiratory tract, the mouth, the intestines and the musculoskeletal system. Can be obtained when around unvaccinated cats.
Symptoms:
Eye discharge, nasal discharge, loss of appetite, pneumonia, ulcer development on tongue, nose, lips or near their claws.
Panleukopenia
Description:
Also known as feline distemper, this virus is highly contagious and life threatening in the cat population. All of the body's white blood cells are killed by the virus. It is one of the deadliest diseases among unvaccinated cats.
Symptoms:
Vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, loss of appetite, dehydration and confusion.
Rabies
Description:
Viral disease that attacks a cats central nervous system. Similar to that of dogs the primary way for the disease to be transferred to cats is by being bitten by an infected animal.
Symptoms:
Fever, seizures, paralysis, unusual shyness or aggression, excessive drooling, or foamy saliva.
Chlamydia
Description:
Bacteria based chronic respiratory infection, caused by the Chlamydia psittaci baterium.
Symptoms:
Sneezing, watery eyes, coughing, runny nose, fever, loss of appetite, discharge from eyes.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
Description:
Felines affected by this virus would no longer be able to develop a normal immune response, however because the virus is slow growing during a normal cats life expectancy they may never show any symptoms of infection.
Symptoms:
Enlarged lymph nodes, upper respiratory tract disease, eye disease, long-term kidney insufficiency.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
Description:
Viral disease of cats caused by stains of the coronavirus. The white blood cells are infected with the virus and then spread throughout the entire body.
Symptoms:
Sneezing, watery eyes, nasal discharge, others may experience mild intestinal disease, and have symptoms of diarrhea.
Feline Leukemia (Felv)
80-90% of infected cats pass away within three to four years.
Feline leukemia is an infectious virus that can cause cancer in the host. Being that it is one of the serious diseases that cats can contract cat owners need to be informed about the nature of the disease.
In some situations when a cat gets infected with the disease they are able to fight the infection off, but in some cases the cat becomes permanently infected with the disease. The most common type of cancer that shows up is lymphoma.
The disease is transmitted through bodily fluids of cats. This can make it easy for other animals to be exposed, through fighting, grooming each other, and being transferred to newborn kittens.
The virus also attacks the cats immune system, which renders the cat defenseless when trying to fight off infections or disease.
There is no cure. Most infected cats will pass away or be euthanized due to complications.
The Feline Leukemia vaccine can greatly reduce the risk of your cat becoming infected with the disease. Keeping your cat indoors and away from other cats, you can also reduce the risk of exposure.
Curious as to what vaccinations your cat needs? Call your vet today or choose one from the list of vets within the area. Click the button to be taken to the list of vets.
Resources
“Feline Infectious Peritonitis.” Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, 25 July 2018, www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-infectious-peritonitis.
petMD. “PetMD.” PetMD, 18 July 2018, www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_ct_feline_calicivirus.
“PetMD, LLC.” PetMD, www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_ct_feline_immunodeficiency_virus_infection.
“PetMD, LLC.” PetMD, www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/respiratory/c_ct_chlamydiosis.
“PetMD, LLC.” PetMD, www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/neurological/c_ct_rabies.
“PetMD, LLC.” PetMD, www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_ct_feline_panleukopenia.
“The Facts About Feline Leukemia.” OVRS, 30 May 2019, www.ovrs.com/blog/the-facts-about-feline-leukemia/.