Cat vaccines for dummies...make sure your vet chooses the right vaccines.

Vaccinations

At our Scottsdale Arizona cat only animal hospital, The Scaredy Cat Hospital, (www.scaredycats.com) we tailor a vaccination program to each individual cat.  Unlike other hospitals, we do not vaccinate every cat with every vaccine available.

Many serious infectious diseases of cats can be controlled by vaccination.  With over 20 million pet cats in the U.S., your cat is quite likely to come in contact with an infectious disease at one time or another.  Even indoor cats can be exposed to viral diseases carried in the air, in dust, or on clothing.  Vaccination is inexpensive protection against costly treatment, or even the premature death of your cat!  Make sure your cat vet uses non adjuvanted vaccines to avoid Feline Fibrosarcoma skin cancer.

Feline Panleukopenia

Often called "cat distemper", this is a highly contagious and often fatal disease in young cats.  It is easily transmitted from cat to cat.  Signs include depression, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Feline Respiratory Diseases include several different infectious Agents.

They are all highly contagious and are widespread.  High death rates occur in young cats and "old" cats.  Signs of these diseases include sneezing, fever, nasal discharges, runny nose, coughing, conjunctivitis (eyelid infections), mouth ulcers, and general depression.  These diseases include: Rhinotracheitis (aka Feline Herpes) virus, Calici Virus, Chlamydia and Mycoplasma.

At our hospital, we use only the intranasal form of the vaccine to avoid local injection reactions and adjuvant related skin cancer.

Feline Leukemia Virus

Unknown 20 years ago, FELV is now considered to be the leading cause of death in cats.  It is a cancer-causing virus that often suppresses the ability to fight other infections.  Kittens can be born with the virus.  Cats can have the leukemia virus for years before showing signs of the disease.  Feline Leukemia is not transmissible to humans or dogs.  There is no successful treatment once signs develop!  It is advisable to have a negative FELV test prior to vaccinating.

Feline AIDS (FIV)

 FIV (Feline immunodeficiency virus) is similar to the human HIV virus.  It suppresses our natural immune defenses allowing normally harmless disease to gain hold and become potentially severe and life threatening.  Though a vaccine has recently become available, it is only recommended in high-risk cats (cats living in a household with an FIV positive kitty).  It is imperative to make sure your cat is FIV negative prior to vaccinating because after the vaccine is given, they will ALWAYS test positive to FIV!

Rabies

A fatal viral infection of the nervous system that attacks all warm-blooded animals, including humans.  Cats have outnumbered dogs in reported cases since 1981.  Rabies is a public health hazard and personal risk to you.  It is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal.  Even indoor cats may be infected through contact with a carrier in a basement, garage or attic.  There is no cure!  Vaccination is very important for your safety, as well as the safety of your pet.