Core vaccines for cats protect against feline parvovirus, feline calicivirus and feline herpesvirus.
Core vaccination is highly recommended to all cats, especially cats that are outdoors or semi-outdoors due to the higher risk of exposure to the viruses with interactions with other cats. Even completely indoors cats are recommended to get vaccinated as they may still be susceptible to infection through transmission via air or contaminated surfaces that owners may bring on them.
Why is core vaccination highly recommended?
- Possible risk of exposure in all cats
- Possible fatality
- Difficulty of treatment
- High cost of treatment
Feline Core Vaccination
Feline Parvovirus
It is caused by feline parvovirus/feline panleukopenia virus, their names are interchangeable. They attack the guts and immune system. Transmission is through all bodily fluids or secretions from infected cats, and through contaminated surfaces. It can also be transmitted from mother to fetus through the placenta, possibly causing brain damage in kittens. They are very stable viruses and can survive in organic material at room temperature on basically any surface for as long as 1 year!
Clinical Signs:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea (may contain blood)
- Lethargy
- Decreased appetite
- Fever
- Abdominal pain
Can feline parvovirus/feline panleukopenia virus be transmitted to dogs?
Canine and feline parvovirus are caused by 2 different viruses. Dogs cannot get feline parvovirus from cats. However, canine parvovirus can be transmitted to cats.
Feline Calicivirus
Feline calicivirus attacks the respiratory tracts, mouth, guts and musculoskeletal system. It is mainly transmitted by eye, nasal and oral secretions. It may be transmitted by air in macro droplets and via contaminated surfaces.
Clinical Signs:
- Eye and nasal discharge
- Conjunctivitis
- Oral ulcers
- Lethargy
- Decreased appetite
- Wheezing
- Pneumonia, breathing difficulties
- Fever
- Inflammation of joints
Can feline calicivirus be transmitted to dogs?
The virus is generally not contagious or transmittable to dogs. Dogs have their own viruses that cause upper respiratory tract disease such as canine influenza virus.
Feline Herpesvirus
It is caused by feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1). It attacks the upper respiratory tracts. Like feline calicivirus, it is mainly transmitted by eye, nasal and oral discharges. It may be transmitted through air in macro droplets in sneezes or coughs.
All cats that have been infected with FHV will become carriers of the virus in the latent (inactive) form. They can shed the virus after periods of stress.
Clinical Signs:
- Eye and nasal discharge
- Conjunctivitis
- Lethargy
- Decreased appetite
- Wheezing, coughing, sneezing
- Fever
- Breathing difficulties, pneumonia
Can feline herpesvirus be transmitted to dogs?
It is not transmittable to dogs!
What is the prevention?
Annual vaccination is highly recommended for all cats. Cats with regular or up-to-date vaccination history require annual vaccination against the core viruses. Cats with irregular (missed at least 1 or 2 years of vaccination) or unknown vaccination history require a booster about 4 weeks from their first vaccine.
When encountered with an infected cat, wear gloves and handle any discharge from the cat carefully. Washing your hands thoroughly with soap would remove the virus. Thoroughly clean surfaces with diluted bleach (1:20 dilution readily kills the viruses).
What is the treatment?
There is currently no cure for infections caused by viruses. Antibiotic treatment is ineffective against the viruses, but is able to treat secondary bacterial infection caused by the weakened immunity of an infected cat. Medications such as stomach protectants, anti-vomiting and anti-diarrhoea medications aid in managing symptoms to support the cats’ immune system to fight off the viral infection themselves. Hospitalisation and IV fluids may be required in severe cases.
Feline Non-core Vaccination
Non-core vaccination is recommended on a case to case basis to cats with higher risk of exposure such as outdoor/semi-outdoor cats, cats that live with other infected/carrier cats or cats that visit boarding facilities.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
A type of retrovirus which attacks the immune system. It is transmitted through blood (eg blood transfusion) and saliva via bite wounds. It may be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy or to kittens during nursing. As a type of retrovirus, it is unstable outside its host as it requires the host’s components to make its viral particles. It will not be transmitted by saliva through grooming/external licking, feces or urine.
Cats with FIV generally do not show symptoms until the last stage when immunity is more compromised and thus more prone to infections. Life expectancy of a FIV infected cat can range from 5 to 8 years from infection, depending on the activity of the infection, to living an average lifespan till old age. .
Clinical signs – similar to FeLV symptoms:
- Lethargy, decreased appetite
- Anaemia
- Fever
- Enlarged lymph nodes, possible risk of cancer
- Diarrhoea, vomiting
What is the treatment?
There is currently no treatment for FIV. Cats with FIV may have frequent secondary infection due to a weakened immune system. Medications may be prescribed to manage secondary bacterial infection caused by a weakened immune system. Fluids or hospitalisation may be required if symptoms are not manageable with medications alone.
A cat with FIV may still live with other cats without FIV as there is low risk of transmission of the virus. Transmission of the virus is through blood and saliva via bite wounds, thus grooming would not transmit the virus.
How to care for a FIV positive cat?
A supportive and loving environment would still allow a cat with FIV to live a happy and normal life, with a healthy lifespan.
- Sterilisation (spay or neuter) can reduce the risk of infection spread.
- Keeping cats indoors can reduce risk of exposure to other viral or bacterial components which can be fatal to a cat with an already weakened immune system.
- Maintaining good nutrition that is easily digestible can be helpful to a FIV positive cat.
- Avoid raw food to prevent bacteria or parasite infection.
- Be up to date with core vaccinations, flea, tick, mites and worm prevention.
- Drugs or supplements to manage anaemia.
- Routine veterinary visits are recommended (ideally twice a year).
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
A type of retrovirus which attacks almost any organ or tissue in the cat’s body. It is transmitted in all bodily secretions such as blood, saliva, urine, feces, respiratory secretions. It can be transmitted through the placenta from mother to fetus or through nursing. It is unstable outside the host as it is a type of retrovirus, thus it needs the host’s component to make its viral particles.
As it affects many tissues and organs, symptoms are myriad.
Common signs– Can be similar to FIV:
- Lethargy
- Decreased appetite
- Anaemia
- Vomiting, diarrhoea
- Eye and nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing, breathing difficulties
- Inflammation of gums and mouth
- Fever
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Skin infection
Can FIV/FeLV be transmitted to dogs?
Both viruses cannot be transmitted to dogs!
What is the treatment?
Like FIV, there is currently no treatment for FeLV. Cats with FeLV may have a shortened lifespan of about 3 years after becoming infected. But that does not make them a less loving and happy cat! The reason why they live a shorter life than FIV infected cats is because FeLV, being a blood disorder disease, may cause secondary infection in an infected cat as they are unable to fight off the foreign material with their weakened immune system. Furthermore, the virus is known to cause some types of cancers.
It is not recommended that a cat with FeLV live with other non-infected cats. Because transmission is via saliva, urine, feces and respiratory secretions, risk of exposure and transmission is high.
How to care for a FeLV positive cat?
In addition to what was stated on how to care of a FIV positive cat (such as good nutrition, keeping indoors and sterilisation), FeLV positive cat may also need:
- Blood transfusion or drugs to manage anaemia.
- Chemotherapy to manage FeLV-related lymphomas.
What is the prevention for FIV/FeLV?
There is vaccination available for both FIV and FeLV, remember to call a veterinary clinic to enquire as most clinics do not keep ready stocks.
Keeping your cat indoors, sterilisation and getting new cats introduced into your household tested for FIV/FeLV are the ways you can prevent FIV/FeLV.
The effectiveness of FIV vaccination is considered low and has been known to cause false positive FIV results. Do speak to your veterinarian on whether your cat should take the FIV vaccine.
Feline Chlamydiosis
It is caused by Chlamydia felis bacteria which attacks mainly the upper respiratory tract and may spread to the lungs. It is transmitted by respiratory secretions from an infected cat. Transmission requires close contact as the bacteria does not survive well outside its host. High-density cat housing environment poses a higher risk of transmission if cats are not adequately vaccinated.
Clinical Signs:
- Lethargy
- Decreased appetite
- Eye and nasal discharge
- Coughing, sneezing
- Fever
- Conjunctivitis
What is the prevention?
Vaccination would be able to provide adequate prevention, though, as with most vaccines, does not provide 100% prevention. Most core vaccines already cover protection against feline chlamydiosis.
What is the treatment?
Feline Chlamydiosis can be successfully treated with antibiotics. Other medications such as mucolytic medication and appetite stimulants may be used to provide relief and aid in recovery.
Can any of the diseases be transmitted to humans?
None of the diseases mentioned above can be transmitted to people! However, we may be contact carriers of the different viruses and bacteria. We may bring the viruses or bacteria with us on our clothes, shoes or hands when we do not disinfect ourselves thoroughly.
Related blog posts!
- Dog vaccinations (read here about vaccination side effects and allergic reactions to take note of)
References:
https://icatcare.org/advice/feline-immunodeficiency-virus-fiv/