Adult cats should be examined yearly by a veterinarian and receive their booster vaccinations. We currently recommend yearly FRCP (Distemper) and Rabies (Purevax) vaccines. Yearly Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) vaccines are recommended for cats at risk such as cats that spend time outdoors. If you are concerned about vaccinating your pet, your veterinarian can discuss the reasons for vaccination as well as alternative vaccine protocols for your pet.
It is important to have your kitten examined by a veterinarian as soon as you can, to ensure your kitten is healthy. Kittens receive a series of vaccinations to prevent them from contracting serious illnesses. Your veterinarian may also recommend deworming for intestinal parasites as well as testing for FeLV and FIV . Your veterinarian will also be able to answer questions that you may have about topics such as nutrition, litter training, parasite control, and neutering. Neutering is recommended between 4 and 6 months old.
Older cats should be examined every 6 to 12 months in addition to receiving their routine vaccinations. Although your cat may seem happy and healthy, your veterinarian may be able to detect diseases before they become apparent. We recommend “senior” blood testing in all cats 8 years of age and older to screen for common metabolic diseases such as kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, or hyperthyroidism. Your veterinarian can discuss with you any changes in your cat’s health or behavior that may be early signs of illness.
Parasite control is an important part of your pet’s health and well-being. Your veterinarian can discuss the best way to protect your pet.
(Hookworms, Roundworms, and Tapeworms)
Intestinal parasites may cause malnutrition and anemia and make your cat susceptible to other infections. We recommend yearly fecal tests to check for these parasites. Deworming is recommended on a regular basis if your cat spends any time outdoors. In addition, some flea and heartworm preventatives can help prevent infections.
Heartworm Disease is spread by mosquitoes and may cause significant heart and respiratory disease. Although Heartworm Disease is less common in cats than it is in dogs, it has shown to be a significant cause of feline asthma and chronic vomiting, and may also lead to sudden death. There is no treatment available for Feline Heartworm Disease, so prevention is even more important. There are many types of heartworm prevention available, and your veterinarian can help you select one that best fits your pet’s needs.
Fleas may cause severe skin irritation and infection, anemia, and may spread certain infections to your pet, including tapeworms. Ticks may spread dangerous diseases to your cat, such as Feline Infectious Anemia. We offer comprehensive flea and tick prevention for your pet that is both safe and easy to use.
Dental health is as important to your cat as it is to you. Cats can get gingivitis (gum disease) as well as tartar and calculus build up. Dental disease can result in life-threatening heart and kidney infections as well as cause pain and discomfort to your pet. Routine prophylaxis, cleaning, polishing, and other more complicated procedures can be performed at our office.
The Feline Leukemia Virus is a contagious disease that is a major cause of illness and death in cats. FeLV can be spread through infected blood, saliva, and urine so cats may become infected through bites, mating, grooming, and even sharing bowls or litter pans. FeLV can also be transmitted to kittens while in their mother’s uterus, or through infected milk while nursing. There is therefore no breed or sex predilection so ANY CAT CAN BECOME INFECTED.
Although it may take a while for a cat to develop clinical illness, an infected cat can shed the virus spreading it to other cats, despite appearing healthy. The Feline Leukemia Virus causes illness in several different ways. The virus can cause malignant transformation of cells leading to various types of cancer including lymphoma and leukemia. In fact, FeLV may be responsible for as many as one-third of cancer deaths in cats. FeLV may also attack the bone marrow resulting in life threatening anemias and platelet and white blood cell abnormalities. Finally, like FIV, this virus causes immunosuppressant resulting in an increased risk of infection.
Diagnosis of Feline Leukemia Virus can usually be made through a quick and simple blood test that can be run right in the veterinarian’s office although, in some cases, other tests may need to be performed.
The best way to prevent FeLV is through preventing exposure to the virus. FeLV positive cats should not be allowed contact with negative cats, and should not be allowed to roam free outdoors. Vaccination against FeLV is recommended for cats at risk such as those with access to outdoors.
The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus is very similar to (but NOT the same as) the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and is a major cause of illness and death in cats. The virus is found in body fluids such as saliva and is most commonly spread from cat to cat through bites. Although less common, the disease may be spread to kittens though infected milk when they begin to nurse. It is therefore most common in free-roaming male cats that fight, although ANY CAT CAN BECOME INFECTED.
It can take weeks, months, or even years for a cat to show signs of illness from FIV so an infected cat can appear perfectly healthy while it is spreading the virus to other cats. Over time, FIV attacks the cat’s immune system, decreasing their ability to fight off infections. Common ailments include chronic mouth, respiratory, and intestinal infections; fungal infections; infections of the nervous system such as Toxoplasmosis; cancer; and blood disorders including leukemia. Unfortunately, there is no cure for FIV.
Diagnosis of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus can usually be made through a quick and simple blood test that can be run right in the veterinarian’s office although, in some cases, other tests may need to be performed. False positive results can occur, especially in kittens under 6 months of age, so positive test results should be confirmed. It is important to know that it can take up to 6 months for an infected cat to test positive.
The best way to prevent FIV infection is through preventing exposure to the virus. FIV positive cats should not be allowed contact with negative cats, and should not be allowed to roam free outdoors. There is now a vaccine available for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. However, we do not recommend the vaccine because it is currently impossible to distinguish between infected and vaccinated cats.
Your veterinarian can answer any questions you may have about the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.