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 Cats are commonly vaccinated against feline panleukopenia (distemper), feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus, feline leukemia, and rabies. Some of these vaccinations can be combined and given as one vaccination. We can help you determine which vaccines are needed to keep your cat healthy.    
   

Feline Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper)

Feline panleukopenia, also called feline distemper, typically affects kittens, but all cats are vulnerable. It is a very contagious and prevalent viral disease.  If you are around an infected cat or kitten you could easily carry the virus home to your own cat. Signs include fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, depression, diarrhea, dehydration and other complications that may result in death.  Treatment is difficult and affected kittens often die. If recovery does take place, a seemingly healthy kitten may shed virus for up to six weeks, putting other unprotected cats at risk. 

Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR)

Feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR) is the most common and serious upper respiratory virus affecting cats of all ages.  Kittens are most severely affected.  Signs of infection include fever, tearing, discharge from the eyes and nose, mouth breathing, coughing and salivation.  There is no cure; therefore, treatment is only supportive and symptomatic care.  Cats who recuperate from the initial bout become carriers of FVR for life, though they may not show any signs.  These carrier cats will shed the virus from time to time, endangering unprotected cats. In order to best protect your pet, an early and ongoing vaccination program is recommended.   

Feline Calicivirus (FCV)

Feline calicivirus is an upper respiratory virus that is highly contagious.  Signs of infection include fever, pneumonia and ulcers or blisters on the tongue.  There is no cure for FCV and treatment is limited to supportive and symptomatic care. Even though they may not show any signs of the disease, cats that recover from FCV become carriers and will always shed the virus.  Early vaccination is an important method of prevention for your cat. 

Feline Leukemia (FeLV)

Feline leukemia is a fatal disease that compromises your cat's immune system, diminishing your cat's ability to fight off infections it could normally resist.  It is the most common cause of sudden death in cats.  A cat may be infected with FeLV and yet apper healthy, sometimes for years.  The virus is transmitted through cat-to-cat contact.  If your cat is at risk of exposure, there is a test available for FeLV.  Vaccination is recommended for cats who test negative and may come into direct contact with other cats. 

Rabies

Rabies is a fatal viral disease affecting the central nervous system of all mammals, including humans.  Rabies is transmitted through contact with saliva from an infected animal due to a bite wound or a break in the skin.  Cats that go outside, even occasionally, are at highest risk for contracting the disease.   It is rare for a cat who stays strictly inside to be exposed to the disease but it has been known to occur, usually when a bat enters the home.  If an unvaccinated cat bites or scratches a person, legally they must be handled as if they may be rabid.  Usually a 10 day quarantine is required.  Vaccination protects your cat from the disease and protects you from possible exposure to this deadly disease.  Many local governments require rabies vaccination for cats as well as dogs.