Tampa vet, veterinarian in Tampa, FL

Vaccinations - Cats

Panleukopenia (Distemper)
Panleukopenia is the cat disease most often referred to as "distemper" in this species. It is a deadly disease. Fortunately, it is not a very common disease as vaccination against it appears to be very successful. Kittens require a series of vaccinations every 3 to 4 weeks from the time vaccinations start until they are approximately 16 weeks old. Since this virus does not always require direct contact for transmission, it is generally included in the series of recommended vaccinations for all cats.

Rhinotracheitis
Rhinotracheitis is caused by a herpes virus. It causes respiratory disease in its acute phase. Chronically, it can be the cause of persistent eye irritation and corneal disease (cloudiness or blood vessel infiltration in the clear part of the eye). Due to the potentially chronic nature of this disease it is also usually recommended for most cats. It appears that the protection against this disease from vaccination is of relatively short duration and yearly boosters seem to be a necessity.

Calicivirus
This virus also causes respiratory disease in its acute phase. It also can become chronic. Affected cats may have persistent gum disease or chronically recurring upper respiratory disease. This virus is also recommended for most cats.

Feline Leukemia
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) requires direct contact with an infected cat in order to spread. However, our veterinarians feel that the risk of a cat getting loose from the house justifies using this vaccine. This vaccine should always be administered to cats that live full-time or part-time outdoors.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis
The risk of exposure to the virus that causes FIP is low. However, the mortality rate is very high for cats that actually develop the disease. Therefore, we do recommend the use of this vaccine to all cats that go outside where they may have contact with other cats or the secretions from other cats (ie. feces) or in homes with large numbers of cats.

Chlamydiosis
This is a bacterial respiratory and ocular disease of cats. Sneezing, runny nose, eye infections, eye discharge and irritations are common clinical signs. Vaccinated cats have reduced clinical disease and are protected from severe clinical disease after challenge.

Rabies
Rabies is a fatal disease. Exposure to bites and scratches containing saliva of the rabies virus from a rabid animal is required for disease. Since rabies is almost always fatal and the potential for human exposure and death is great, legal requirements for rabies vaccination is in place for all cats.

Giardia
Giardia is a protozoal parasite that causes gastrointestinal disease (vomiting, diarrhea, loose feces, etc.). Diarrhea, severe or mild, is most common sign of giardiasis. The diarrhea can be either intermittent or chronic. Typically there is a high volume of diarrhea with soft, almost frothy, mucousy stools. Weight loss and malabsorption can occur. A rancid odor to the feces is often noticed. Medication can treat the disease. We do not recommend vaccination of all dog for Giardia. We do, however, recommend vaccination of those pets that have clinical disease as we feel the vaccination helps to booster the immune function against the parasite and may help reduce future outbreaks of clinical disease.