Links Veterinary Group Pet Veterinary

Vaccinations stimulate the immunity by exposing the cat to a small harmless dose of the specific disease.

Immunity in kittens:

Kittens are protected in the first few weeks of life by antibodies taken in from the mother's milk. This fades after this period leaving the cat susceptible to these diseases unless follow up vaccination is given.

Kittens are vaccinated twice a few weeks apart and can be started as early as nine weeks of age but this can be done at any age above this as unfortunately some cats aren't vaccinated until they are much older. At the time of vaccination the vet and or nurse can give your cat a good checkover for any other conditions which may need attention and also can answer any questions you may have.

Once the vaccination course is complete a week or so must pass before the newly vaccinated cat can mix with potentially unvaccinated ones in public places etc.

Yearly assessments of your cat allow early detection of problem areas and also allow us to 'boost' your cat's immunity to the diseases we vaccinate against.

All these vaccinations will be recorded on a vaccination card which serves as a handy reminder as to when boosters are required but also needs to be up to date when your cat needs to go into a boarding cattery or to shows etc.

Which diseases do we vaccinate against?

Viral Cat FLu

This is a very widespread disease caused by more than one virus and can cause widely varying symptoms from respiratory signs such as sneezing and nasal discharge, to severe eye disease and even mouth ulcers and dental problems. Each of these complaints can easily become long lasting and chronic in unvaccinated animals requiring long term treatments. Flu can be fatal in young or debilitated animals.

Feline Leukaemia

This is another very widespread viral disease and it is common to see infected cats some of whom will be fatally affected. Again symptoms can vary widely from virus induced tumours (lymphomas, leukaemia) to suppression of the immune system of affected cats leading to multiple episodes of otherwise unrelated illness such as respiratory infection, blood born parasites causing anaemia etc. Affected animals can go on to become reservoirs of infection leading to widespread dissemination of the disease in other cats they come into close contact with.

Feline Panleukopenia

This is a relatively uncoomon disease in the UK now but is occasionally seen with cats showing signs of a severe viral gastroenteritis which can prove fatal.

Other diseases which can be vaccinated against by prior arrangement:

Bacterial Cat Flu

This is caused by the same organism as that which causes kennel cough in dogs and is therefore very widespread in the UK. Together with the viruses casuing viral cat flu this can be seen as part of a cat flu complex with multiple causative agents.

Chlamydophila felis

This is a cause of conjunctivitis usually seen in kittens in mutiple cat households though also can be a problem in rescue catteries etc.

Rabies

A fatal disease which thankfully is not found in the UK although vaccination is required when your dog is travelling abroad and is to return to the UK.