FELINE VACCINES-

PROTECT YOUR PET

Mae Marcattilio-McCracken

Core vs. Non-Core VaccinesCore Vaccine: consequences of infection are severe, infection

poses a substantial zoonotic risk, disease prevalence is high, the organism is easily transmitted to others of its species, and or the vaccine is safe and efficacious vaccine recommended for all individual animals because the

**Examples of core feline vaccines include: Panleukopenia, Calcivirus, Herpesvirus, and Rabies

Non-Core Vaccine: vaccine recommended for only individual animals deemed to be at high-risk for contact with the organism

**Examples of non-core vaccines include: FeLV, FIP, Microsporum canis

Core Vaccines-Overview of Diseases

Include:

Panleukopenia (Distemper)Calcivirus (FCV)Herpesvirus (Rhinotracheitis)Rabies

PanleukopeniaTransmission:

Direct contact with infected cats or their excretions During the early stages of the infection, virus is shed

in feces, urine, saliva, and vomit In addition, fleas may transmit FPV from infected to

susceptible cats during the acute stage of the disease.

The virus may also be spread by contact with contaminated objects, such as food bowls, litter pans, bedding, and cages, or by persons (on hands or clothing, for example).

PanleukopeniaClinical Signs:

sudden onset-- Fever Loss of appetite Dehydration Depression VomitingDiarrhea

PanleukopeniaPrognosis in Unvaccinated Animals

In unvaccinated populations, however, panleukopenia remains the most severe and destructive disease of cats

Many older cats who are exposed to feline panleukopenia virus do not show symptoms

However, young (3-5 months old) unvaccinated cats can become seriously ill

Panleukopenia in young unvaccinated kittens is usually fatal.

CalcivirusTransmission:

FCV is transmitted by ingestion or inhalation of infectious virus present in saliva and excretions from affected cats

The oral route of infection is most important, and direct contact with infected cats or contaminated fomites is the primary method of transmission rather than aerosolized particulates

The virus is highly contagiousCats of all ages can be affected by FCV infection

but kittens are more likely to develop symptoms.

CalcivirusClinical Signs:

Symptoms in cats infected with FCV may develop acutely, chronically, or not at all.

Latent infections often become symptomatic when the cat is stressed, such as at the time of adoption.

Acute symptoms of FCV include: FeverNasal dischargeSneezingUlceration of the mouth Pneumonia may develop with secondary bacterial

infections.

CalcivirusPrognosis in Unvaccinated Animals

Most cats come into contact with these two viruses in their lifetime

Kittens most likely to become infectedOnce infected, the kitten is best tended at home with

supportive careFluids need to be pushed and the kitten should be

tempted by tasty morsels of food so that he doesn’t become anorexic

Smelly mackerel in water, sardines in oil, canned tuna cat food, and pieces of raw fish are good taste tempters for a reluctant eater 

HerpesvirusTransmission:

FVR is transmitted through the air and direct contact

The virus is shed in saliva and eye and nasal secretions, and can also be spread by fomites

FVR has a two to five day incubation period. The virus is shed for one to three weeks postinfection

Latently infected cats (carriers) will shed FHV-1 intermittently for life

Stress and use of corticosteroids precipitate shedding

HerpesvirusClinical Signs:

CoughingSneezingNasal dischargeSometimes fever and loss of appetite. **(These

usually resolve within four to seven days, but secondary bacterial infections can cause the persistence of clinical signs for weeks)

HerpesvirusPrognosis in Unvaccinated Animals

Rhinotracheitis is a fairly mild condition, even in its most severe form, as long as the cat receives adequate fluids and nutrition

It often runs its course in 7 to 10 days without medical intervention

The infection usually lasts longer when secondary bacterial infections develop

Rarely causes death in young kittens and older catsSome cats may develop chronic symptoms such as

chronic rhinosinusitis (sneezing and nasal discharge).

RabiesTransmission:

occur as a result of: *animal bites *non-bite exposure *human-to-human exposure *In most cases of rabies, transmission of the virus is

caused by the bite of a rabid animal *Transmission of rabies cannot occur through casual

contact, such as touching a person with rabies, or contact with non-infectious fluid or tissue (e.g., urine, blood, or feces).

RabiesClinical Signs:

Behavior changes such as: Depression Apprehension Nervousness Anxiety Biting or snapping, sometimes at imaginary objects Wandering or roaming Irritability Muscular incoordination Seizures Paralysis Salivation or frothing at the mouth; and a "dropped jaw," or inability to

swallow Any animal that is unvaccinated and shows abnormal behavior or

unexplainable neurological disease should be suspected of having rabies.

RabiesPrognosis in Unvaccinated Animals

Unvaccinated animals that have been exposed to rabies are a severe health hazard

Most states either recommend or mandate euthanasia and testing of unvaccinated exposed animals

If an owner refuses euthanasia, the animal must be held in strict quarantine for six months, with a vaccination administered at the fifth month

Animals that are not current with their rabies vaccination are generally evaluated on a case by case basis according to local laws

**Grave prognosis

Non-Core Vaccines-Overview of Diseases

Include:FeLV (Feline Leukemia)

FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis)

Microsporum canis (ringworm)

Feline Leukemia Transmission:

Saliva and close contact, biting another cat (blood), through a litter box or food dish used by an infected cat, in utero, or an infected cat nursing her kittens

*FeLV won’t survive outside a cat longer than a few hrs in most environments. As a precaution thoroughly disinfect or replace food and water dishes, bedding, litter pans, and toys.

**This disease IS NOT zoonotic, regardless immuno-supresed people (ppl receiving chemo, ppl with AIDS, elderly, infants, unborn children, and pregnant women) should avoid contact with an FeLV infected cat**

Feline LeukemiaClinical Signs:

Loss of appetite Slow but progressive weight loss, followed by severe wasting late in the

disease processPoor coat conditionEnlarged lymph nodesPersistent feverPale gums and other mucus membranes Inflammation of gums and mouth Infections of the skin, urinary bladder, and upper respiratory tractPersistent diarrheaSeizers, behavior changes, and other neurological disordersA variety of eye conditions In unspayed female cats, abortion of kittens or other reproductive

failures

Feline LeukemiaPrognosis in Unvaccinated Animals

FeLV is an incurable, fatal diseaseVaries considerably, 70% of cats are infected with FeLV

develop immunity and are able to fight the virus before developing symptoms

Some cats that develop initial immunity suffer a viremic breakout or years later, usually after being stresses or medicated with drugs that suppress the immune system

30% of infected cats that don’t develop immunity to the virus may live months to years, depending on how far the disease has progressed when the cat is diagnosed

More than 50% of these cats die within a couple yrs

FIPTransmission

Feces and oropharyngeal secretions are the most likely sources of infectious virus

Infection is acquired from acutely infected cats by the fecal-oral, oral-oral, or oral-nasal route.

FIP is NOT zoonotic!!

FIPClinical Signs

Feline infectious peritonitis is probably the most common cause of unexplained fevers in cats.

lethargyweight loss eye disease swelling of the abdomen or fluid in the chest Secondary problems: liver or kidney disease Any cat with fevers that do not respond to antibiotics should

be considered as a candidate for this disease. In any chronic illness in cats for which no other cause can

be found, FIP should be considered.

FIPPrognosis in Unvaccinated Animals

Once the FIP virus gains access to the cat's body it takes about 2 weeks for the virus to become widespread. After that, the length of time to clinical symptoms is variable but probably rarely exceeds 2 months.

Most cats with FIP will die within 2 to 11 months from the damage caused by the virus, the immune system and secondary problems such as kidney or liver failure.

An exception to this might be cats that are able to fight off the disease at the cellular level but never completely clear it from their bodies.

It is possible that these cats are carriers of the disease and that they may be affected later in life if some immunosuppressive disease or event inhibits their ability to keep the FIP virus in check.

Microsporum canis (aka ringworm)

Transmission

Transmission occurs by direct contact between infected and non-infected individuals.

It may be passed from dogs to cats and vice versa.Transmission may also occur from the infected environment. The fungal spores may live in bedding or carpet for several

months. It may also be passed from dogs or cats to people and vice

versa- it IS zoonotic!! (consult with your family physician if any family member develops suspicious skin lesions)

Microsporum canisClinical Signs

**The fungi live in hair follicles. As the organism invades and weakens the hair shafts, hairs break off at the skin line.

Patches of hair loss tend to be round; as the fungus multiplies, the lesions may become irregularly shaped and spread over the cat's body.

These patches may be associated with scaling and crusting of the skin.

The lesions are sometimes pruritic (itchy), but this is not a consistent finding.

Microsporum canisPrognosis in Unvaccinated Animals

If no treatment is carried out, ringworm will run it's course in two to four months and the symptoms will resolve themselves

However, treatment is recommended to save your cat or dog from suffering any longer than necessary and to cut down the period of time they are contagious

Modified vs. Killed VaccinesMLV: a live virus or bacterium that replicates within the

animal and stimulates and immune responseKilled: dead virus or bacteria or pieces of micro-organisms

that stimulate an immune response often mixed with an adjuvant

Mild reactions include:*lethargy and sleepinessSevere reactions when DVM must be contacted include:*soreness, abscesses, or/and tumors at the site*fever and joint pain*anaphylactic shock*swelling and hives

Feline Vaccines by Fort Dodge Fel-O-Vax Lv-K: protects against feline leukemia virus. For healthy

cats 8-10 wks of age and older (given to high risk animals such as outside/inside or homes with multiple pets). Repeat 3-4 wks later. Then annually. Given SQ.

Fel-O-Vax PCT Cat: rhinotracheitis, calci, panleukopenia killed vaccine. Given to healthy cats 8 wks of age and older. Repeat 3-4 wks later. If vaccinated under 12 wks of age, give additional dose between 12 to 16 wks of age. Given SQ or IM. Vaccinate on annual basis.

Sources1. http://www.revivalanimal.com/store/c/670-Fort-Dodge.aspx?

a=google&gclid=CLOnrqW9xZ4CFRXxDAodp0_Rsg

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feline_leukemia_virus

3. http://www.animalhealthchannel.com4. http://www.vet.cornell.edu5. http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+2134&aid=2226. http://maxshouse.com/feline_panleukopenia.htm7. http://www.cathealthcareguide.com/rabies-in-cats.php