It is essential that all pets are adequately vaccinated to help protect the pet population as a whole.

Responsible pet care requires kittens to be given their initial course of vaccinations, but this cannot protect them for the rest of their lives. Adult cats require regular vaccination to maintain immunity against disease.

Please give us a call to discuss a suitable vaccination program for your pet kitten or cat.

DID YOU KNOW?

Australia has one of the highest rates of feline immunodeficiency virus infection in the world, with 1 in 7 cats with outdoor access being infected.

Kitten Vaccination
Kitten Vaccination

Kittens are ‘temporarily’ protected against many diseases by antibodies received through their mother’s milk. These maternal antibodies decline in the first couple of months of their lives, after which vaccinations are required to induce immunity against disease. A series of vaccinations is necessary for a kitten to adequately stimulate the immune system. Initial vaccination programs should provide at least two vaccinations 3-4 weeks apart against some or all of the following: feline panleukopenia virus, feline calicivirus, feline herpesvirus, Chlamydia felis and feline leukaemia virus at or after 8 weeks of age. Three vaccinations, 2-4 weeks apart, against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are recommended at or after 8 weeks of age for cats who will have any form of outdoor access.

Adult Cat Vaccination
Adult Cat Vaccination

The immunity from kitten vaccination weakens over time and your pet can again become susceptible to disease. Annual health checks and booster vaccinations will provide the best protection for the life of your pet.

After Vaccination Care
After Vaccination Care

Following vaccination some cats may be off-colour for a day or two, or have a slight swelling or tenderness at the injection site. Access to food and water and a comfortable area to rest are usually all that is required for a quick recovery. If the response seems more severe or persists, you should contact us for advice.

Infectious Diseases of Cats That We Can Vaccinate Against

This is a very contagious disease and the death rate is high, especially for young cats under 12 months of age. Pregnant cats may lose their young or give birth to kittens with abnormalities such as brain damage. Symptoms of feline panleukopenia are depression, loss of appetite, uncontrollable vomiting and diarrhoea, often with blood and severe abdominal pain.

The virus spreads so easily that heavily contaminated areas may need cleaning with a special disinfectant.

Feline calicivirus is a highly contagious virus that causes a mild to severe respiratory infection and oral disease in cats. This virus can affect cats of all ages, but is especially prevalent in young kittens. FCV occurs most commonly in multi-cat environments, and can be high risk in places such as shelters, pet stores, and catteries. The virus spreads through direct contact with the saliva, nasal mucus and eye discharge of infected cats and through aerosol droplets that spread when cats sneeze. Lab tests have also detected the virus in urine, faeces and blood. Cats typically shed the virus for about two or three weeks after infection, but some cats become long-term carriers, and continue to shed the virus on and off for months.

Fortunately, the death rate is low (except in young kittens), but the disease is distressing and clinical signs may persist for several weeks. Recovered cats can continue to carry and spread the infection for long periods, and can show signs of the disease again if they become stressed.

FCV is a hardy virus that survives on surfaces for up to a month in certain environments. Humans that handle infected cats can inadvertently transfer the virus to new animals. Objects that come in contact with a cat’s bodily fluids, such as food bowls, litter boxes or bedding, can also be a source of infection.

In cats, the feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) is a virus affecting primarily the upper respiratory tract and the structures of the eye. Transmission occurs between cats by direct contact with infected oral, nasal, or eye secretions. Within 24 hours, a newly infected cat can transmit the feline herpes virus to other cats, so it’s important to seek veterinary care immediately.  

FHV-1 is the most common viral cause of sneezing and nasal discharge in cats. Changes to the structures of the eye are also associated with feline herpes infection. 

Young cats are most affected, but infection can occur at any age. Cats from multi-cat households, shelters, rescues, and catteries are at increased risk for infection. Outdoor, stray, and feral cats may become infected from contact with infected cats while outside. 

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) attacks a cat’s immune system, similar to HIV in humans. Infected cats’ natural defence against other diseases may be seriously affected, much in the same way as human AIDS.

It is important to note that FIV is not transmissible to humans.

FIV is almost always transmitted by bites from infected cats, since the virus that causes the disease is present in saliva.
While some infected cats show no sign of disease, others may display initial symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, lethargy and swollen lymph nodes.

As the disease progresses, symptoms may occur such as weight loss, sores in and around the mouth, eye lesions, poor coat and chronic infections.

Eventually, the immune system may become too weak to fight off other infections and diseases. As a result, the cat may die from one of these subsequent infections.

Unfortunately in Australia, FIV is very common, with 1 in 7 cats with outdoor access  infected with this virus.