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“A cat has nine lives” but isn’t each one precious as the next one? Feline leukaemia and flu (Feline Respiratory Viruses) are just 2 of the most easily caught diseases in catteries by the exchange of bodily fluids and sometimes through faeces, contaminated bedding, surfaces and feeding bowls.

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For some viruses there is no cure and so this could be very deadly. However, more and more catteries will not accept your cat to accommodate on their premisses unless you present a certificate to show that your cat/kitten has all the vaccinations up to date.

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Other diseases cats are prone to are Feline Infectious Enteritis (Feline panleukonenia), Feline Viral Rhinotracteitis (FVR), Rabies, Chlamydia, Feline Immuno Deficienncy Virus (FIV) and Feline Infectious Peritonitis

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When kittens are born they receive some natural protection against diseases from their mothers’ milk. But this protection is only temporary and so fades in the first few weeks of a kittens’ life. This leaves the kitten vulnerable to most of the diseases mentioned above. The mother can only pass on the immunity if she herself has been vaccinated against these illnesses regularly.

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Kittens must be vaccinated against cat flu, feline infectious enteritis and feline leukaemia viruses when they are about nine weeks old and a second injection should be administered three weeks later.

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Before 2002 vaccinations for viruses such as Feline Immuno deficiency virus or Feline Infectious Peritonitis were not licensed in the U.K. In the United States of America, the US Department of Agriculture announced that vaccination for Feline Immuno Deficiency was approved for commercial production and was to be made available in summer 2002.

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Feline Infectious Enteritis is highly contagious viral disease. This virus attacks the intestines and the white blood cells. Symptoms of FIE include loss of appetite, depression and vomiting.

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Cat Flu is the most dangerous in a kitten or an elderly cat. If the cat is not treated for this illness then death is inevitable. It also dangerous in a healthy adult cat but the only difference is that a cat of this age is most likely to recover due to its stamina. Feline calici virus and Feline Viral Rhinotrachitis (herpes virus) affect the upper respiratory tract and is very serious. Symptoms include sneezing, coughing, runny discharge from nose and eyes. The discharge becomes thicker as the illness worsens. The cat may also suffer from loss of appetite. Chlamydia also shows similar symptoms.

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Feline Leukaemia Virus also known as Feline Aids can cause cancer of the white blood cells and of the lymph nodes years after the original infection has struck. It can also weaken the cats’ immune system or cause anaemia. This virus is usually passed on from one cat to another by long exposure to an infected cats’ saliva or by blood. Symptoms of this illness include weight loss, diahorria and vomiting.

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Rabies is very deadly disease and is unlike any other disease. Rabies can be passed on to humans. Early symptoms of a cat with this condition are of a calm cat becoming aggressive. Once rabies is contracted very little can be done. The final stages of this condition are paralysis, coma which ends in death.

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Feline Immuno Deficiency Virus is similar to the HIV virus but in cats. Humans cannot contract this virus from cats. FIV breaks down the immunity system in cats and then becomes vulnerable to infection. The virus is spread through the saliva of an infected cat. The cat may look a bit “under the weather” and develop a secondary infection. Blood tests are used to trace FIV. Regrettably, no vaccination is available for this virus

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Feline Infectious Peritonitis is a virus that comes in two kinds, wet and dry.

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• If the cat is suffering from the wet form, the symptoms are swollen abdomen that results in diahorria and vomiting.
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• The dry form is hard to detect. The symptoms for this infection are jaundice and loss of coordination. The virus is transmitted in the cats’ saliva. The infected cat must be quarantined to prevent infecting other cats.

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Unfortunately there is no tried or tested treatment for this virus.

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Need more help and advice? Find a vet near you by searching the My Pet Friends Pet Business directory.

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