MERIDIAN VETERINARY PRACTICE LTD
11 Edith Avenue, Peacehaven
East Sussex BN10 8JB
Tel: 01273 585386
Fax: 01273 580874
vets@meridianvets.co.uk
www.meridianvets.co.uk
VACCINATING
YOUR CAT
Cat flu is a viral infection. These viruses that cause flu are very
common and your cat is likely to come be infected if he or she
goes outside or goes into a cattery. Some cases of cat flu just
involve mild sneezing and a temperature. Other cases can be very
severe. The cat can get mouth ulcers, conjunctivitis and even
secondary pneumonia. Many cats have died due to cat flu
infection.
Feline Leukaemia is a virus disease of cats only. The virus can
depress the immune system and cause wide ranging symptoms. It
can also cause cancer. Young cats are the most vulnerable to
becoming persistently infected. Most older cats can fight off
the disease. There is no equivalent ‘human leukaemia’ virus.
Feline Infectious Enteritis
This is a viral disease which causes severe diarrhoea and death in
many cases.
We can vaccinate against feline flu, leukaemia and enteritis.
FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) is another fatal virus
disease of cats. It is very like the human HIV (AIDS) virus.
People cannot catch AIDS from cats. The symptoms of FIV and
feline leukaemia are often very similar. FIV like leukaemia can
only be diagnosed by blood tests. FIV is usually spread between
cats by fighting. There is no vaccine available against FIV.
Vaccinations:
For initial protection we recommend that kittens are vaccinated
twice at around 9 and 12 weeks of age against flu, enteritis and
leukaemia.
We then recommend an annual booster vaccination each year for
flu and every 3 years for enteritis. Because cats over 2 are very
unlikely to contract leukaemia virus we discontinue leukaemia
after the first booster here at Meridian.
We also recommend that adult cats which have never been
vaccinated have an initial course of 2 vaccinations for flu and
enteritis. In an adult cat which was vaccinated as a kitten but
boosters have lapsed we normally give a booster and not a full
primary course.
Every case will be treated as an individual here at Meridian.
For example if your cat is elderly or ill we will look closely at his
or her condition, individual disease risk and lifestyle. Based on all
this information we will decide with you how often to vaccinate.
We would also like to take this chance to discuss your cat’s
annual health check. When your cat comes in for a vaccination
he or she receives a thorough health assessment by the vet. This
involves a full clinical examination. We check your cat’s mouth,
teeth, ears, lymph nodes, heart and lungs, tummy, skin and
weight. We will also discuss with you any aspect of your cat’s
health or well being which concerns you.
We very often spot problems at health checks which owners have
not noticed. In this situation we can often treat or control the
problem before it becomes too advanced.