Cats also have infectious diseases, against which we have effective vaccines.

If we want our kitten to live a long and healthy life, we definitely recommend vaccinations.

What diseases should kittens be vaccinated against?

Diseases can basically be divided into two groups:

There are infectious diseases that require direct contact with kittens. Such diseases are feline leukosis and feline AIDS. (feline AIDS is not dangerous to humans or dogs in any way, it only causes disease in cats).

Both viruses are cell-bound and spread through body secretions. Such body secretions are saliva and sexual secretions.

(This is also why it is extremely important to neuter kittens, as sexually transmitted diseases can be prevented in this way).

Unfortunately cat AIDS and leukosis are incurable diseases, therefore the emphasis must be placed on prevention. We have an effective vaccine against feline leukosis, but no effective vaccine is currently available against feline AIDS, just like in the case of humans.

In the latter case, prevention consists of neutering the kittens and screening out infected individuals.

Those kittens that are not allowed to come into contact with other cats (i.e. they are kept indoors, in an apartment) do not need to be vaccinated against leukosis.

Feline leukosis

The disease is caused by a retrovirus. The symptoms can be many. The virus primarily attacks the cells of the immune system, damaging its function.

Because of this, infected cats become more susceptible to diseases caused by other pathogens. In their case, frequent illness may draw attention to the existence of leukosis as an underlying disease.

At the same time, the virus can damage the functioning of the bone marrow, which can lead to disorders of the hematopoietic system and anemia. Rarely, tumors of the lymphatic system also occur in cats with leukosis.

The disease cannot be cured, it can only be treated symptomatically. In case of suspicion, the existence of the infection can be established in minutes with a serological test in our clinic.

What other diseases should cats be vaccinated against – including those that don’t leave the apartment?

Panleukopenia

The disease is caused by a parvovirus. Felines are susceptible to the disease at any age, but it is especially common in young animals. It is accompanied by high fever, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea – because of this, sick cats can quickly become dehydrated.

Abnormal bacterial growth develops in the damaged small intestine, aggravating the patients’ condition. The pathogen can also enter the mother’s womb, causing miscarriage and fetal damage in pregnant cats.

The pathogen can only infect felines, and poses no danger to humans or dogs. Sick cats require intensive treatment, unfortunately, death is not uncommon.

Fortunately, we have an effective vaccine that can prevent the disease!

Cat flu complex

One of the most common diseases in cats is the so-called Cat flu. Several pathogens play a role in its development. Herpesvirus, calicivirus, and Chlamydophyla psittaci bacteria together or individually can cause upper respiratory tract symptoms in cats.

The symptoms:

• Fever,
• tears,
• sneezing, coughing,
• serous-purulent nasal discharge.

Patients cannot smell food, so they often do not eat or refuse food. The disease is predisposed by young age, weakened immune status, flea or other parasitic infection, which weakens the functioning of the immune system. This is also why it is important to regularly deworm and de-flea the kittens.

Antibiotics, immune boosters, eye drops and, if necessary, infusions are used to treat the disease, and we must not forget about other possible problems (parasite removal).

Cat flu

The disease is not dangerous for dogs or humans, it can be prevented by vaccination.

Skin fungus

Many cats carry the pathogen – mostly without symptoms. It is more common in catteries. It appears in the form of regular, circular, hairless spots. The diagnosis is confirmed by taking a skin scraping. It can also spread to humans, children and women are more often infected.

Vaccination for prevention and it can also be used to eliminate symptoms. In the case of cats living in close proximity to humans, we recommend the preventive use of the vaccine in catteries.

Fungal infection on the foot of a cat

Infectious peritonitis of cats

The disease (Feline Infectious Peritonitis, FIP) is caused by the feline coronavirus.

In most cases, the pathogen causes intestinal inflammation in cats with a mild course, which is accompanied by loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. Sometimes, however, the coronavirus develops infectious peritonitis.

There are several forms of the disease. The so-called In “wet” form, a yellowish, stretchy, honey-like liquid accumulates in the abdominal cavity, sometimes in the chest cavity (hence the name of the disease).

With the “dry” form of the disease, there is no accumulation of fluid, microscopic inflammatory formations (granulomas) develop in the internal organs. Persistent fever is common and eye changes are not uncommon. Young animals are most often affected, although the disease can occur at any age.

FIP can be treated symptomatically, but unfortunately it cannot be cured. The effectiveness of the vaccine developed against the disease is not satisfactory, its use is rejected by many authors, and we do not recommend it either.

Cat rabies

Rabies cannot be cured, it is a viral disease that always ends in death in humans and animals!

Vaccination of cats against rabies, unlike dogs, is not mandatory, but it is definitely professionally justified in the case of kittens that go outside. (The rabies vaccination of dogs is required by law in Hungary) The rabies virus is spread by the saliva and bites of rabid animals.

In Hungary, the disease is maintained by foxes.

In recent decades, foxes have also been extensively vaccinated with an oral vaccine, which is why the incidence of the disease has been significantly reduced. (The oral rabies vaccine cannot be used for dogs and cats, only the injectable preparation).

We definitely recommend rabies vaccination for cats that go out, get lost, get infected with the saliva of foreign animals, fight or bite!

In order to maintain protection, cats must be revaccinated every year!

Is your pet missing any vaccinations?

Visit our office, where our staff will help you create thevaccination program that best suits your pet with personalized advice.

Can’t come?

Feel free to call, a vaccination can be given to your pet at home!

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