Rabies
Rabies is a fatal disease of warm blooded mammals including people! It is caused by a virus, most frequently spread through a bite from an infected animal. Bites are the main route of transmission because a diseased animal has the rabies virus in its salvia, and frequently will bite other animals. Symptoms of rabies may include fever, loss of appetite, excessive irritability, unusual vocalization, change in behavior, restlessness, jumping at noises, trouble walking, excess salivation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, stupors, or unprovoked aggression. Rabies usually begins subtly, with pet owners first noticing that their animal goes off its food and just "doesn't seem right". The animal may then become restless and irritable, have a "strange look in it eyes' and make funny sounding cries or barks. As illness progresses, nervous systems signs become more obvious with tremor appearing, difficult walking and swallowing, and even convulsions and paralysis developing. Affected animals may or may not try to bite or show other signs of aggression. Keep your pets away from ALL wild animals. Most states require you to have your dogs and cats vaccinated against rabies! In Connecticut your cat MUST be vaccinated against rabies at 12 weeks of age and then again a year from that time and every 3 years afterwards!
Feline Leukemia (FeLv)
Feline Leukemia is a serious disease in cats, caused by a virus infection. It's also a complex disease, of which leukemia (cancer of white blood cells) and cancerous tumors are only a small part. Various other related but non-tumorous diseases are also involved. They include anemia, atrophy of the thymus gland, ulcers of the mouth, skin lesions, reproductive problems such as miscarriages and weak or dying kittens. the disease impairs the cat's immune system, therefore the cats lose their ability to fight the bacteria, viruses and fungi which cause these disease problems. It is spread by direct contact wit infected cats. It's usually transmitted in the saliva, but low levels of virus can also be found in urine and feces. Licking, biting and sneezing are common forms of transmission. The only way to tell for sure if your cat has this disease is to have him tested by a veterinarian. Once a cat has been infected with Feline Leukemia virus, there are three possible outcomes: 1) About 40% develop an immunity and become resistant to future infections. 2) About 30% become "latent carriers" of the disease, neither fully recovered nor seriously affected. They may be susceptible to the disease at some future time, and, if reactivated, they can pass on the virus to their offspring. 3) The remaining 30% of exposed cats are persistently infected and, of these, about 83% die within three years of time of infection from leukemia and or the associated diseases. Death can be sudden or lingering and painful. To prevent your cats from getting this disease you should try to limit the amount of cats your pet comes into contact with. Please talk to your veterinarian to have your cat tested for Leukemia and to discuss the Feline Leukemia Vaccine and possible reactions to the vaccine!Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
FIP is not a typical infectious disease. The cat's immune system, in an attempt to help protect the cat against FIP, actually speeds the progress of the disease. The "immune mediated" nature of FIP is the reason why it has taken many years to develop a successful vaccine. Signs of FIP are General illness, fever, weight loss, anorexia, anemia, swollen abdomen, central nervous system disorders, kidney disorders, liver disorders, eye disease and death. Unfortunately, no specific diagnostic test is available to identify FIP. Tissue biopsy is the only way to confirm the FIP is present. (Presence of coronaries CV antibodies in the blood "FIP test" is generally inconclusive.) The FIP virus may be spread through saliva, urine and feces of infected cats. The natural route of infection if through mouth or nose. FIP most often occurs in multicat households, shelters and catteries. The FIP virus is generally unstable outside of a host cat, but has survived on dry surfaces for up to seven weeks in laboratory studies. FIP virus can be inactivated by most household disinfectants. There is now a vaccine available for FIP called Primucell FIP and is recommended for use in cats at 16 weeks of age or older. Primucell FIP is given intranasally and protects the cat from FIP infection at the natural site of exposure, the nasal passages. Talk to your veterinarian about the risks involved.Feline Panleukopenia (FPL)
Feline Pankeukopenia, sometimes called feline distemper, is common and can affect cats of any age. It's almost impossible to prevent exposure, so all cats SHOULD vaccinated. The FPL virus can affect many parts of a cat's body, causing fever, appetite loss, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, weakness, tremors, and incoordination. Death can occur within a week. FPL vaccination should be given at 6 -12 weeks of age and again every year. Kittens less than 12 weeks of age are given two to three doses several weeks apart.Feline Respiratory Disease
Respiratory disease is easily passed from one cat to another by droplets in the air from coughing or sneezing. Kittens can die from the disease, especially if they get pneumonia. Cats who have this disease have watery or sticky discharge from the nose and eyes, nose and mouth sores, inflamed eyes, and fever. Most respiratory diseases are caused by one of two viruses- FELINE RHINOTRACHEITIS VIRUS or FELINE CALCIVIRUS. Another respiratory disease is called CHLAMYDIA PSITTACI and this disease primarily causes inflammation of the eyes and nose. This disease can be controlled by vaccination!
--Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association
--Connecticut Dept. of Health Services*** Please Contact your local veterinarian if you have any questions regarding your pet! ****
