Feline Vaccines

Question 0

FVRCP

Answer 0

›FV stands for Feline Viral
›Rhinotracheitis (Herpes virus)
›Calici virus
›Panleukopenia

Vaccinations @ 8, 12, 16 weeks, then annually

Question 1

Feline Vaccines

•Core Vaccines:

Answer 1

1. FVRCP

2. Rabies

Question 2

Rhinotracheitis

Answer 2

• Feline herpes
• Transmitted by direct contact with oronasal and conjunctival secretions of infected cat
• Carrier state—More than 80% of recovered cats become lifelong carriers that intermittently shed the virus

Question 3

Rhinotracheitis: Signs

Answer 3

Upper Respiratory Infection (URI):
•Runny nose (rhinorrhea)
•Watery eyes (ocularrhea)
•Fever
•Loss of appetite (anorexia)
•Lethargy
•Sometimes severe conjuntivitis

Question 4

Calicivirus (FCV)

Answer 4

• Another component to an URI
• Direct and indirect contact with body secretions or contaminated fomites
• Carrier state—Very common; virus shed continuously for weeks to years

Question 5

Calicivirus: Signs

Answer 5

• Oral ulceration
• Anorexia
• Watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Conjunctivitis
• Occasionally causes acute synovitis (inflammation of joints)

Question 6

Panleukopenia: feline distemper

Answer 6

• Resembles canine parvovirus infection of dogs in many ways but has an even higher mortality rate, 60-90%
• Highly contagious, direct and indirect fomite transmission
• Virus is shed up to 6 weeks after infection in urine, feces, and other body secretions
• Incubation: 4-10 days

Question 7

Panleukopenia

•Signs:

Answer 7

›Diarrhea, vomiting
›Dehydration
›Leukopenia
›Lethargic, anorexia
›Fever
›Intrauterine Transmission: kittens get cerebellar hypoplasia (underdeveloped cerebellum)

Question 8

Feline Leukemia Virus

Answer 8

•FeLV, a retrovirus
•It is possible for cats to clear an infection after initial exposure
•Latent infections can occur, show signs usually 3 years later, some may live long and never show signs
•Easily killed with disinfectants and drying
•Not stable and can’t last outside the body
•Like HIV and Cancer
•Transmission: in utero, saliva, blood, milk
•Manifestations:
›Lymphatic cancer, Lymphosarcomas
›Bone marrow suppression: stop producing WBC, RBC, & Platelets
›Become immunosuppressed

Question 9

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

Answer 9

• Related to HIV
• Immunosuppression leads to cancers, infections (much like FeLV)
• Test after 6 months of age
• No specific treatment, but if complications are controlled, cat may live for years
• Transmission: saliva
• New vaccine on the market-SQ once every 4 weeks for 3 boosters, then annually

Question 10

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)

Answer 10

• Feline Corona Virus (FcoV)
• Fatal disease
• FIP results from a genetic mutation of the virus in a susceptible cat (genetics, age, stress, and immune status can influence susceptibility)
• Most common in young cats but can be seen in older cats as well

Question 11

Chlamydiosis

Answer 11

• Bacterial cause: Chlamydophilia felis
• Relatively unstable in the environment
• Transmission—Direct contact with infected ocular discharge
• Signs—Conjunctivitis, mucopurulent discharge
• Diagnosis—culture of conjunctival swab
• Treatment—Antibiotic ophthalmic ointment, systemic antibiotic

Question 12

Feline Bordetella Vaccine

Answer 12

• Same bacteria as dogs: Bordetella bronchiseptica
• Disease similar to that of dogs
• Kittens 5-10 weeks old most susceptible
• Vaccine is IN boostered every 6 months as needed; can begin @ 4 weeks of age
• Treatment: Antibiotics