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INFECTIOUS feline DISEASES THAT WE CAN VACCINATE AGAINST:
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Feline Panleukopenia Virus (Feline Enteritis or Feline Parvovirus)
This is a very contagious disease with a high mortality rate, 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 need to be cleaned with a special disinfectant.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
Similarly to HIV in humans, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) attacks a cat’s immune system, this means that an infected cat's natural defence against diseases may be severe negatively impacted.
It is important to note that FIV is NOT transmissible to humans.
FIV is most commonly 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, further symptoms may show 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, and as a result, cats may pass away from an unrelated infection due to complications with FIV.
Unfortunately in Australia, FIV is very common, with 1 in 7 cats with outdoor access infected with this virus.
Chlamydia felis
Chlamydia felis is a bacterial disease which is responsible for up to 30% of conjunctivitis in cats, and causes severe and persistent signs.
Kittens are more commonly affected by Chlamydia felis when also infected with “Cat Flu”, and Chlamydia felis can be shed for many months. Vaccination against cat flu and Chlamydia felis helps protects against clinical disease.
Feline Respiratory Disease (‘Cat Flu’)
90% of ‘cat flu’ cases are caused by feline herpesvirus (feline rhinotracheitis) and/or feline calicivirus.
Feline respiratory disease affects cats of all ages, especially young kittens. It's highly contagious and causes sneezing, coughing, runny eyes, nasal discharge, loss of appetite and tongue ulcers.
Fortunately, the mortality 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.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
The virus attacks the immune system and may be associated with lack of appetite, weight loss and apathy, pale or yellow gums, vomiting, diarrhoea, reproductive problems, increased susceptibility to other infections, leukaemia and tumours. Many cats may be infected and show no signs at all.
About one third of infected cats remain chronically infected and may shed virus in their saliva, tears, nasal secretions and urine. The disease is then spread to uninfected cats through close contact (e.g. shared food/water bowls, mutual grooming), fighting, sneezing or even flea bites.
Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV)
The virus attacks the immune system and may be associated with lack of appetite, weight loss and apathy, pale or yellow gums, vomiting, diarrhoea, reproductive problems, increased susceptibility to other infections, leukaemia and tumours. Many cats may be infected and show no signs at all.
About one third of infected cats remain chronically infected and may shed virus in their saliva, tears, nasal secretions and urine. The disease is then spread to uninfected cats through close contact (e.g. shared food/water bowls, mutual grooming), fighting, sneezing or even flea bites.