Cat Vaccination
www.petfleas.co.uk
Vaccination is an important step in protecting your cat against a number of harmful conditions and diseases. In the UK, vaccination is nowhere near as widespread as it ought to be, with just one in three cats being protected. It’s therefore highly important that responsible cat owners pick up this slack, and get their cat vaccinated. Part of the reason behind this lack of widespread vaccination might be that some owners are concerned about the possible side effects. And, whilst it’s true that vaccinations do carry with them risks, this risk is relatively small; it’s only in a small number of cases that side effects develop. When placed next to the considerable risk of not vaccinating, these risks appear rather meagre. Vaccination can offer substantial protection against a number of notable conditions. Let’s take a look at some of them.
different forms – some more severe than others. And, like human flu, it’s evidenced by symptoms like sneezing, coughing, a sore throat and a runny nose. If you should notice these symptoms, then take your cat to the vet – though the flu might have been caused by a virus, the infection of the upper respiratory tract might still be addressed through a course of antibiotics. If a cat should have appeared to have recovered from their infection, they should still be treated as potential ‘carriers’ of the flu, capable of passing it on to other cats they might be interacting with. This danger is all the greater if the infected cat is interacting with kittens, whose immune systems are at their most vulnerable. A vaccination will help to prevent an infection before it occurs – though there are some strains of the flu which will be more resistant to the vaccination than others. Cat flu is fatal only in rare cases.
Leukaemia
FIE FIE, or Feline Infection Enteritis, is a disease which affects the gastrointestinal tract. Afflicted cats will suffer symptoms almost instantaneously, and without prior warning. These include severe vomiting and diarrhoea, and then death within just twenty-four hours. FIE is far less common than it once was – a change driven largely by the prevalence of vaccination.
Flu FVR, or Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, and FCV, or Feline Calicivirus, are two common viruses which are among the major causes of cat flu. Cat flu, like human flu, is something which comes in a variety of
FeLV, or Feline Leukaemia Virus, is a virus for which a vaccine has only recently been developed. The virus is transmitted through bodily fluid, such as blood, urine and saliva, and is incurable once transmitted. The prognosis for an infected cat is bleak, with few surviving beyond three years. The cat’s immune system will rapidly deteriorate, often with the result that tumours form. Vaccination is hugely important in preventing this bleak outcome.
www.petfleas.co.uk
Chlamydia
Boosters
Feline Chamydophilosis is a disease which is transmitted through close contact – not necessarily through sex. Like flu, a cat may be asymptomatic and yet still carry the disease. Carriers may pose a risk to other cats – especially kittens. For this reason, it’s particularly important that mothers are vaccinated.
Viruses reproduce rapidly, and, like any other creature, occasionally mutate as they do so. Mutations which help a virus to resist vaccination will spread quickly through the population, and so, in time, a given vaccine will begin to lose its efficacy. It’s therefore important that you follow up the initial vaccination with annual ‘boosters’, which will help to keep your cat’s protection up to date. You can think of these a little bit like the antivirus on your computer – you’ll need to periodically update it in order to be protected against the latest strains!
Rabies Rabies is a hugely dangerous disease. It can be spread from animals to humans via a bite, scratch or lick – and even through projectile saliva. Once contracted, the virus multiplies and spreads through the nervous system, and then to the rest of the body, causing widespread organ failure. Thankfully, it’s not prevalent in the UK – but if you’re looking to take your pet abroad, you may consider vaccination.
How to get vaccinated As we’ve seen, there are many different diseases which can be prevented through vaccination, and each of them require a slightly different vaccine. For this reason, it’s important to consider which pose the greatest threat to your cat. As we’ve touched upon, there are small risks inherent in each vaccination. It’s therefore generally not worth the hassle of vaccination if the disease being vaccinated against poses barely any risk to your cat. Speak to your vet about the risks your cat might face, and the sorts of vaccine they might benefit from. Your vet will be able to explain the risks and advantages of each, and recommend a course of action.
Demonstrating protection
your
cat’s
There are some situations where you’ll need to provide proof of your cat’s vaccination. This proof comes in the form of a certificate, issued by the veterinary practice which performed the vaccination. This will demonstrate that your cat is protected against the diseases we’ve mentioned. If you’re looking to secure health insurance for your cat, then the insurer will either insist upon vaccination, or change an exorbitant rate for the unvaccinated animal. Similarly, if you’re looking to commit your cat into a cattery for a week or so while you go away, you’ll probably be asked for proof of vaccination. Catteries are places where many cats are placed in close proximity with one another, and several of them may be carrying viruses asymptomatically.
www.petfleas.co.uk
The last thing anyone wants is an epidemic, and so stringent measures are often called for. Most catteries will insist that your cat be given a ‘booster’ injection shortly before their arrival. If you’re a breeder, then vaccinations become all the more important. Stud owners will, if they’re remotely qualified, insist upon proof that your cat is vaccinated before allowing their cat to breed. They’ll then ask for a follow-up test shortly after going to stud, just to be on the safe side.
www.petfleas.co.uk
Beeston Animal Health Ltd., Whitchurch Road, Beeston Castle, Tarporley, Cheshire, CW6 9NJ
www.petfleas.co.uk