Cat Health - Vaccinations and Boosters - Cat Health
VACCINATIONS AND BOOSTERS As soon as you get your new pet, be it cat or kitten, you should find out about vaccinations. Unless properly vaccinated your cat could contract several, possibly fatal, diseases. These include Feline Infectious Enteritis (Panleucopenia), Feline Leukaemia and Feline Infectious Respiratory Disease (‘Cat Flu’). Feline Infectious Enteritis (Panleucopenia) This virus is a significant threat to cats in the Symptoms can be tiredness, high temperature, vomiting, blood in severe diarrhoea which results in dehydration and lack of appetite. Young kittens are generally worst affected with symptoms ranging from mild fever to death. Feline Leukaemia This virus is usually spread by direct contact with infected animals, normally by licking and grooming. Mothers may transfer it to kittens whilst still in the womb. It can cause Leukaemia and cancers of the glands and is one of the most common causes of death in young cats. Symptoms vary considerably. It suppresses the immune system making it susceptible to many different infections and tumours can form. Young kittens are mainly at risk. Feline Infectious Respiratory Disease (‘Cat Flu’) ‘Cat Flu’ is highly infectious and is spread by direct contact between cats and sneezing. Symptoms include tiredness, runny nose and eyes, sneezing, mouth ulcers, salivation, conjunctivitis and coughing. Causes permanent damage to the cats sinuses and can sometimes lead to pneumonia . Remember – as soon as you acquire your pet, be it 8 weeks or 8 years old, take him to the Vet as soon as you can for a check up and advice on vaccination. Your Vet will advise you on what vaccinations to have. On the first vaccination you will receive a record card, saying what vaccinations your cat has had and when the next vaccination or booster is due. This is an important document and should be kept safe. If you wish to board your cat at a cattery at any time you will find it very difficult without a vaccination record card.
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