Vaccinations for Cats

Feline Infectious Respiratory Disease (Cat Flu)

This rarely causes death in healthy adults but the lives of young, ill or old cats can be threatened by this. The two viruses associated with this disease are spread by sneezing. Recovered cats may carry this disease for several years, infecting other cats along the way. When the 'carrier' cat is under unnecessary stress (such as a newcomer to the home) can lead to recurrence of the symptoms. Symptoms: running eyes and nose, sneezing, high temperature, mouth ulcers and occasional pneumonia.

Feline Chlamydia

This disease is also spread by the respiratory system. The characteristic symptom of Chlamydia is discharge from the eye, quickly spreading to the other eye. These symptoms can last for years when left untreated. The cat will continue to eat as normal and will probably have a normal temperature. Chlamydia can also infect the genitals of cats, leading to reproductive failure. Symptoms: red eyes with a thick discharge, mild nasal discharge and occasional sneeze.

Feline Leukemia

This can damage the immune system of cause tumors. It has been thought that almost 2/3 of cats will come into contact with another infected with the disease at some point in their lives. The disease spreads via any bodily fluid and is commonly transmitted by fighting, grooming or sexual activity. Infected cats must not be allowed to have kittens since they will be born with the disease. Indeed, there are many similarities with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) but rest assured that Feline Leukemia is not transmissible to humans. The disease can become fatal since the cat's damaged immune system cannot fight the attack of other, perhaps usually fairly harmless, infectious agents. The infected cat may appear slow to recover from these common ailments and may display a recurrence of infection of such diseases. Another sign of infection is anemia which manifests itself as pale gums and listlessness.

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