Feline Diseases and Vaccines
Rabies
What is it? Rabies is a deadly viral disease that invades the central nervous system.
How is it contracted? Through open wound contact with saliva of an infected animal (most commonly via a bite). This disease causes fear and aggression, which in turn, causes an infected animal to bite without provocation or warning. This disease can infect any species of mammal.
What are the symptoms? Symptoms include; headache, anxiety, hallucinations, excessive drooling, fear of water, aggression, paralysis, and death.
Can it be cured? Action within hours of infection is essential. Pets bit by an animal suspected of rabies should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible in order to receive a booster of the Rabies vaccine. The pet will then need to be strictly quarantined and closely monitored for signs of rabies for several weeks. If symptoms appear, the pet will need to be euthanized quickly to prevent the spread of the disease. Once symptoms present, there is no cure and the death rate is 100%.
How do I protect my pet from it? An initial vaccine is given as early as 16-18 weeks old, and is repeated every 1-3 years, depending on vaccine type. Keeping your cat indoors significantly reduces the risk of infection.
Franklin county law requires that all felines and canines over the age of 16 weeks are vaccinated against rabies and kept up to date.
Feline Distemper (aka Feline Panleukopenia)
What is it? Feline Distemper, (aka feline panleukopenia), is a highly contagious and life-threatening viral disease in the cat population. The virus is closely related to the canine parvovirus. It enters into the bone marrow and suppresses the production of white blood cells, which are the bodies defense system.
How is it contracted? The virus enters through the mouth or nose. It can be found in any environment and tracked to new environments, can survive freezing temperatures, and can survive for up to a year at room temperature.
What are the symptoms? Symptoms include; fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. This virus attacks the lymph nodes and the GI tract.
Can it be cured? Treatment is aggressive and consists of supportive care until the immune system can recover. Hospitalization is required. The mortality rate is 90-100% in unvaccinated cats, especially young cats.
How do I protect my pet from it? An initial vaccination of the FVRCP vaccine is given as early as 8 weeks old. Following that, a series of boosters are given monthly for 1-3 more months depending on age and previous vaccine status. The vaccine is then given yearly. Keeping your cat indoors significantly reduces the risk of infection.
Feline Viral Rhino Tracheitis (aka Feline Herpesvirus)
What is it? Feline Viral Rhino Tracheitis is an upper respiratory infection in cats. It is caused by, and also known as feline herpesvirus 1
How is it contracted? Airborne respiratory droplets from sneezing or hissing, or direct face to face contact. Cats with lowered immunity, such as pregnant cats, kittens, and cats under stress are more susceptible. This virus cannot be spread to humans.
What are the symptoms? Symptoms include; conjunctivitis, fever, sneezing, discharge from the nose, and trouble breathing.
Can it be cured? This infection is chronic, and while we may be able to treat the symptoms with antibiotics and anti-viral medications, this infection is very likely to resurface in times of stress throughout the cats life.
How do I protect my pet from it? An initial vaccination of the FVRCP vaccine is given as early as 8 weeks old. Following that, a series of boosters are given monthly for 1-3 more months depending on age and previous vaccine status. The vaccine is then given yearly, or every 3 years depending on the vaccination type. Keeping your cat indoors significantly reduces the risk of infection.
Feline Leukemia Virus
What is it? Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a contagious disease caused by a retrovirus.
How is it contracted? Airborne respiratory droplets from sneezing or hissing, or direct face to face contact. This virus cannot be spread to humans.
What are the symptoms? There are no specific symptoms of FeLV, however, it can lead to several issues including; cancers, neurologic issues, blood diseases, and immunosuppressive diseases.
Can it be cured? Prognosis is varied dependent on what problems the cat develops as a result of the disease.
How do I protect my pet from it? An initial vaccination of the FeLV vaccine is given as early as 12 weeks old, boostered one month later, then given yearly. Keeping your cat indoors significantly reduces the risk of infection.
Feline Calicivirus
What is it? Feline Calicivirus is a virus that is an important cause of upper respiratory infections and oral diseases in cats.
How is it contracted? Airborne respiratory droplets from sneezing or hissing, or direct face to face contact.
What are the symptoms? Symptoms include; sneezing, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis, discharge from the eyes and/or nose, and ulcers inside or around the mouth.
Can it be cured? In cases of secondary infections, ulcers, or swelling around the eyes, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medications may be needed.
How do I protect my pet from it? An initial vaccination of the FVRCP vaccine is given as early as 8 weeks old. Following that, a series of boosters are given monthly for 1-3 more months depending on age and previous vaccine status. The vaccine is then given yearly, or every 3 years depending on the vaccination type. Keeping your cat indoors significantly reduces the risk of infection.
What is it? Rabies is a deadly viral disease that invades the central nervous system.
How is it contracted? Through open wound contact with saliva of an infected animal (most commonly via a bite). This disease causes fear and aggression, which in turn, causes an infected animal to bite without provocation or warning. This disease can infect any species of mammal.
What are the symptoms? Symptoms include; headache, anxiety, hallucinations, excessive drooling, fear of water, aggression, paralysis, and death.
Can it be cured? Action within hours of infection is essential. Pets bit by an animal suspected of rabies should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible in order to receive a booster of the Rabies vaccine. The pet will then need to be strictly quarantined and closely monitored for signs of rabies for several weeks. If symptoms appear, the pet will need to be euthanized quickly to prevent the spread of the disease. Once symptoms present, there is no cure and the death rate is 100%.
How do I protect my pet from it? An initial vaccine is given as early as 16-18 weeks old, and is repeated every 1-3 years, depending on vaccine type. Keeping your cat indoors significantly reduces the risk of infection.
Franklin county law requires that all felines and canines over the age of 16 weeks are vaccinated against rabies and kept up to date.
Feline Distemper (aka Feline Panleukopenia)
What is it? Feline Distemper, (aka feline panleukopenia), is a highly contagious and life-threatening viral disease in the cat population. The virus is closely related to the canine parvovirus. It enters into the bone marrow and suppresses the production of white blood cells, which are the bodies defense system.
How is it contracted? The virus enters through the mouth or nose. It can be found in any environment and tracked to new environments, can survive freezing temperatures, and can survive for up to a year at room temperature.
What are the symptoms? Symptoms include; fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. This virus attacks the lymph nodes and the GI tract.
Can it be cured? Treatment is aggressive and consists of supportive care until the immune system can recover. Hospitalization is required. The mortality rate is 90-100% in unvaccinated cats, especially young cats.
How do I protect my pet from it? An initial vaccination of the FVRCP vaccine is given as early as 8 weeks old. Following that, a series of boosters are given monthly for 1-3 more months depending on age and previous vaccine status. The vaccine is then given yearly. Keeping your cat indoors significantly reduces the risk of infection.
Feline Viral Rhino Tracheitis (aka Feline Herpesvirus)
What is it? Feline Viral Rhino Tracheitis is an upper respiratory infection in cats. It is caused by, and also known as feline herpesvirus 1
How is it contracted? Airborne respiratory droplets from sneezing or hissing, or direct face to face contact. Cats with lowered immunity, such as pregnant cats, kittens, and cats under stress are more susceptible. This virus cannot be spread to humans.
What are the symptoms? Symptoms include; conjunctivitis, fever, sneezing, discharge from the nose, and trouble breathing.
Can it be cured? This infection is chronic, and while we may be able to treat the symptoms with antibiotics and anti-viral medications, this infection is very likely to resurface in times of stress throughout the cats life.
How do I protect my pet from it? An initial vaccination of the FVRCP vaccine is given as early as 8 weeks old. Following that, a series of boosters are given monthly for 1-3 more months depending on age and previous vaccine status. The vaccine is then given yearly, or every 3 years depending on the vaccination type. Keeping your cat indoors significantly reduces the risk of infection.
Feline Leukemia Virus
What is it? Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a contagious disease caused by a retrovirus.
How is it contracted? Airborne respiratory droplets from sneezing or hissing, or direct face to face contact. This virus cannot be spread to humans.
What are the symptoms? There are no specific symptoms of FeLV, however, it can lead to several issues including; cancers, neurologic issues, blood diseases, and immunosuppressive diseases.
Can it be cured? Prognosis is varied dependent on what problems the cat develops as a result of the disease.
How do I protect my pet from it? An initial vaccination of the FeLV vaccine is given as early as 12 weeks old, boostered one month later, then given yearly. Keeping your cat indoors significantly reduces the risk of infection.
Feline Calicivirus
What is it? Feline Calicivirus is a virus that is an important cause of upper respiratory infections and oral diseases in cats.
How is it contracted? Airborne respiratory droplets from sneezing or hissing, or direct face to face contact.
What are the symptoms? Symptoms include; sneezing, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis, discharge from the eyes and/or nose, and ulcers inside or around the mouth.
Can it be cured? In cases of secondary infections, ulcers, or swelling around the eyes, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medications may be needed.
How do I protect my pet from it? An initial vaccination of the FVRCP vaccine is given as early as 8 weeks old. Following that, a series of boosters are given monthly for 1-3 more months depending on age and previous vaccine status. The vaccine is then given yearly, or every 3 years depending on the vaccination type. Keeping your cat indoors significantly reduces the risk of infection.
Risk of contracting these diseases reduces significantly when the pet is properly vaccinated by a licensed Veterinarian.
Vaccine Prices:
FVRCP $32.50 ~ Feline Rabies $56.71 ~ Rabies+FVRCP Combo $69.00 ~ FeLV $54.60
Prices up to date as of 2/19/25