These are the vaccines, our vet, VCA Parkwood Animal Hospital recommends: |
- FVRCPC (also called 4-in-1)
For Distemper-Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Chlamydia
- FELINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS (FeLV)
- RABIES
There is currently no vaccine available for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). A vaccine is available for Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), but most vets do not recommend it as it can be dangerous for some cats to receive it.
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| Vaccination Schedule: |
- 8-9 weeks old:
FVRCP
FeLV
- 12 weeks old:
FVRCP
FeLV
- 16 weeks or older:
FVRCP
Rabies (with a booster needed in one year)
- Boosters needed every year:
FVRCP
FeLV
- Boosters needed every 3 years:
Rabies
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From the Westside Hospital for Cats:
Why is preventative health care so important?
Cats are extremely good at hiding health problems and can cover up many diseases until they become advanced. Regular check-ups and age-appropriate testing can help detect many hidden health problems while they are easily managed.
Cats of all ages can develop illnesses and diseases that may be preventable or even curable if diagnosed early enough. A good preventative health care program includes controlling internal and external parasites, counseling for behavioral issues, advice on managing weight and nutrition, assessing dental health, screening for vial diseases such as feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus, and monitoring for age-related diseases that commonly occur. For example, we routinely diagnose kidney disease, diabetes, and thyroid problems in senior cats.
We offer a series of wellness programs for every stage of a cats' life: kitten, adult, and senior. These "packages" make it
easier for you to be assured that complete and appropriate health care is provided for every stage. We are strongly committed to delivering services that will extend and improve the quality of your cat's life. |
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Fleas can be a major problem for cat owners. Not only are these tiny creatures a nuisance, they are also the cause of many diseases such as flea anemia, flea bite dermatitis, and tapeworm infestation. Therefore, strict flea control is a necessary step in the health care of any cat. The eradication of fleas from our animals and our homes necessitates the use of products containing insecticides, either in the form of a mousses, spot-ons, oral suspensions, powders or spray mists.
While there are many safe insecticide products available for use on cats, caution must be used as cats are generally more sensitive to most insecticides. Cat owners should be extremely careful when using flea products on or around their cats. Products should be used strictly according to their label directions.
Guidelines for cat owners to follow when choosing and applying a flea control product:
1. NEVER use insecticides on very young kittens, pregnant queens, debilitated, or elderly cats without consulting your veterinarian. With such cats, you may want to consider avoiding the use of some insecticides directly on your pet. Instead, you could comb the fleas off the cat with a flea comb then submerge the fleas in a small container of soapy water. This would also be a good alternative for cats who love being groomed but who violently refuse baths or the application of a spray.
2. Before using ANY product on your cat, read the label instructions completely. If you do not completely understand the instructions, you should contact the manufacturer or your veterinarian for clarification. Observe the species and age requirements listed on the label. NEVER use a product labeled "for use on dogs only" on your cats.
Cats react very differently thandogs to some insecticides. Some dog products can be deadly to cats, even in tiny amounts.
3. Use caution when using products that contain organophosphates in your house or on your cat. Cats are more sensitive to organophosphate insecticides than most other animals. Currently, there are few flea products in the United States labeled for use on cats that contain organophosphates as an active ingredient. The few that can be used on cats contain a small concentration of organophosphate. However, many household sprays and products that are specifically labeled "for use on dogs only" are widely available. Again, avoid these dog products!
In some cases, exposed cats can start showing signs within hours. Symptoms would include drooling, depression, labored breathing, weakness, and convulsions. Without prompt and proper treatment, many exposures could lead to the animal's death. With appropriate treatment by a veterinarian, the survival chances are much higher.
4. NEVER use flea control products that contain "permethrin" on your cats, unless they are specifically labeled for use on cats. There are some products that are labeled for use on cats that contain small concentrations of permethrin, usually less than 0.1%. When used according to the label instructions, these can be used safely in cats.
However, there are many permethrin products available over the counter for use on "dogs only." These contain high concentrations (45-60%) of permethrin insecticide. These permethrin products have a good range of safety when used on dogs, but, even a few drops of concentrated permethrin could be lethal to cats. The reason for this species difference is yet unknown.
Exposed cats can develop uncontrollable seizures within hours of concentrated permethrin application. Some may tremor for several days. The fatality rate of untreated cats exposed to such products is very high. Proper treatment by a veterinarian can often prevent death.
5. Always use caution when using shampoos, sprays, topical spot-ons, or mousse near your cat's eyes, ears, and genitalia. Inactive ingredients can cause irritation to these sensitive tissues.
6. When using a fogger or a home premise spray, make sure to remove all cats from the house for the time period specified on the container. Food and water bowls should be removed from the area also. Allow time for the product to dry completely before returning your cats to your home. Open windows or use fans to "air out" the household before returning your cats to the treated area. Strong fumes can be irritating to your cat's eyes and upper respiratory system.
If you are uncertain about the usage of any household product, contact the product's manufacturer or your veterinarian to explain the directions BEFORE use of the product.
7. Insect growth regulators like lufenuron, methoprene, and pyriproxyfen can be used in combination or alone with flea control products. They can help break the flea life cycle by inhibiting flea maturation. Growth regulators have minimal adverse effects and can improve the efficacy when used in combination with adult flea insecticides.
8. Just because a product is labeled to be a "natural" product does not mean that the product is completely safe. Many such "natural" products can be harmful when used inappropriately on cats. For example, d-limonene and linalool are citrus extracts that are used as flea control agents. Though they are natural products, they still can have serious side effects if used on sensitive cats or if used improperly.
9. Observe your cat closely after using flea products. If your cat exhibits unusual behavior, or becomes depressed, weak, or uncoordinated you should seek veterinary advice. |
Once again, read the label. This could save the life of your cat!
Jill A. Richardson, DVM
Veterinary Poison Information Specialist
ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center
1-888-4ani-help
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By Richard Allen, D.V.M.
Veterinarian, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
Reprinted with Permission from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
Malcolm and Simon are big, fluffy neutered male cats. They love being petted and snuggling up close, or sitting in a window, sunning and snoozing. They're healthy and never miss their litter box; but, while many of their friends at the Best Friends TLC Cat Club quickly find loving homes, Malcom and Simon have been sitting and waiting-- their chances of a home are low because of a virus in their body called FIV.
FIV stands for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. This virus is in the same family of viruses as FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus). They are both retroviruses. But the subfamily of FIV is different: it is a lentivirus (or "slow virus"). The other familiar lentivirus to all of us is HIV, which causes AIDS in humans. So, humans are not alone in having a virus that affects the immune system.
Humans are, in fact, relatively new to the immunodeficiency virus scene. This type of virus was present in horses, monkeys, and felines long before the human version appeared on our planet.
FIV is not limited to domestic (house) cats but can be found in the big cats as well. 84 percent of Serengeti lions harbor FIV and the virus has been identified in 25 species of cats around the globe, from cougars in Wyoming to snow leopards in the Himalayas. It appears that felines have gradually developed the ability to live with the FIV virus for long periods of time, and that's why we should start looking at Malcom and Simon and their friends with FIV in a new light.
For more information on FIV positive cats, please click here.
Living with FIV
FIV is a cat-only disease. This immunodeficiency virus (like all immunodeficiency viruses) is very species specific-- so specific, in fact, that the virus domestic cats have is different from the kind the big cats have.
You cannot catch FIV from your pet.
FIV is spread between cats by bite wounds and blood transfusions.
Unless your FIV kitty bites another cat, the virus cannot spread.
FIV can never be spread casually. Casual includes litter boxes, water and food bowls, or snuggling and playing. It is even unlikely for an FIV mother to give FIV to her kittens. So, what I am saying is that unless Malcom and Simon were to bite another cat (and if you met them, you would know they're really not into biting anything!) they cannot spread FIV - no exception, no way.
With the truth about FIV in hand, there is no reason that Malcom and Simon should not be in a loving home with other cats. FIV
cats can live quite long and quite normal lives. Cats seem to live a long time with this virus often with no symptoms at all.
Of course, there is no guarantee that an FIV cat will not develop clinical disease; but there's no guarantee that any cat won't get sick from something sooner or later!
Meanwhile, it seems to me that the life span of FIV cats is quite long and they they have a lot to give us. FIV should not be a sentence or a stigma that prevents a delightful feline from coming into your home. It's time to end the fear and misinformation about this virus and to spread the truth about FIV so that these healthy
cats can find the homes and the love they deserve.
Footnote:
Malcom and Simon recently went home with Dennis Cook and Anne Tatom who live in Washington State. Dennis and Anne have several cats in their household already, some of whom also have the FIV virus.
For more information on FIV positive cats, please click here. |
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Donations to Kitten Rescue are tax-deductible and receipts are available upon request. |
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