Feline Diseases Flashcards
What is the difference between core and non-core vaccines?
Core is recommended for all cats, non-core is only recommended if the cat is at risk.
How do vaccines work?
Vaccines work by exposing a cat’s immune system to a small amount of the disease-causing agent (virus or bacteria) by injection. Following a complete vaccination program, the immune system produces antibodies and special cells that ‘remember’ the viruses and bacteria contained in the vaccine. When your cat comes in contact with the real disease, the immune system will ‘remember’ what was in the vaccine and rapidly eliminate the infection.
Do vaccines wear over time?
Yes.
What do modified live vaccines contain?
Whole pathogens that have been weakened (attenuated) so that they can’t cause clinical disease, but can still infect and multiply.
What do killed vaccines contain?
Killed pathogens that cannot multiply or harm the animal.
Do vaccines need to be given via the correct administration route?
Yes, as nasal drops given as injections can cause severe local reactions and fatal liver failure.
What is Feline Panleukopaenia (FPV) also known as?
Feline Enteritis or Feline Parvovirus.
How is the virus Feline Panleukopaenia (FPV) spread?
Direct contact, blood, faeces, urine, vomit, saliva, across the placenta, fomites, lice and fleas.
What are the symptoms of Feline Panleukopaenia (FPV)?
Fever, loss of appetite, depression, weakness, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration and dramatic loss of all circulating white blood cells.
How contagious and deadly is Feline Panleukopaenia (FPV)?
Very contagious and very deadly, especially for kittens which can kill them within 12-24 hours.
What virus can cause sudden death from heart failure in kittens under six months old?
Feline Panleukopaenia (FPV).
How long does it take for a sudden offset of vomiting and diarrhoea to occur after a fever for adult cats with Feline Panleukopaenia (FPV)?
2-4 days after fever.
How can Feline Panleukopaenia (FPV) be prevented?
Vaccination and with good hygiene, cleaning and disinfection of areas like catteries as the virus is highly resistant.
How does Feline Panleukopaenia (FPV) affect a developing fetus?
The virus will damage developing embryos, kittens will get brain damage within a few days after birth, which will be seen as ataxia (high stepping kittens).
How can Feline Panleukopaenia (FPV) be treated?
IV fluids, antibiotics, feeding, anti-emetics to stop vomiting and nausea and meds to stop diarrhoea.
How long can Feline Panleukopaenia (FPV) survive off of the host?
Years.
What is Feline Rhinotracheitis (FVR) also known as? What is it referred to by the public as?
Feline Herpes Virus-1 (FHV-1), publically referred to as Snuffles.
What is the most serious upper respiratory disease in cats?
Feline Rhinotracheitis (FVR).
What can be involved with Feline Rhinotracheitis (FVR)?
Mycoplasma, Bordetella bronchsptica and Chlamydophilia psittaci.
What are the symptoms of Feline Rhinotracheitis (FVR)?
Discharge from mouth, nose and eyes, nasal discharge can become pus, sneezing, salivating, may develop chronic sinusitis (inflammation of sinuses), multiple ulcers on the cornea of the eye, reduced appetite, depression, inflammation of nose and eyes, may develop bronchitis, foetal abortion or reabsorption.
How is the virus Feline Rhinotracheitis (FVR) spread?
Discharge from eyes, nose or mouth, fomites, aerosol (sneezing and coughing).
Are there any issues with Feline Rhinotracheitis (FVR) post-recovery?
Up to 80% of cats will remain carriers for life, so after they recover any stressful events will give the cat a small reinfection of the disease and they become contagious. This can also happen when anti-inflammatory steroid drugs are used on the cat.
How can the pinprick ulcers on the eyes from Feline Rhinotracheitis (FVR) be seen?
With stain.
How long can Feline Rhinotracheitis (FVR) survive off of the host?
18-24 hours.
What is Feline Calicivirus (FCV) also referred to as?
Snuffles.
How long can Feline Calicivirus (FCV) survive off of the host?
8-10 days.
How resistant and contagious is Feline Calicivirus (FCV)?
Very contagious and mutates regularly so is resistant.
What are the common symptoms of Feline Calicivirus (FCV)?
Discharge from eyes and nose, sneezing, depression, fever, increased salvation, ulcers in the mouth (makes eating hard and causes anorexia) and may see a high temperature.
What are the less common symptoms of Feline Calicivirus (FCV)?
Ulcers in the nose, footpad and ulcers between the toes, gingivitis/stomatitis (gum/mouth infections), acute and chronic enteritis (bowel infection), muscle aching, pneumonia and lameness.
How much can the cat shed Feline Calicivirus (FCV)?
Can be shed in the absence of symptoms, some can shed the virus for life without symptoms.
What is at least 80% of feline upper respiratory disease caused by?
Feline Herpes Virus-1 (FHV-1) or Feline Calicivirus (FCV) group.
What can Feline Calicivirus (FCV) hide the presence of?
Feline Herpes Virus-1 (FHV-1), a double infection.
What does Feline Chlamydophilosis refer to?
An infection with a type of intracellular bacteria that acts like a parasite and often associates itself with viruses.
How resistant and contagious is Feline Chlamydophilosis?
It is highly adapted to the cat and the organism is very fragile.
How long can Feline Chlamydophilosis survive off of the host?
It cannot survive off of the host for any significant period of time.