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Vaccines work by stimulating the body to produce its own defence against infection.
The majority of kittens receive their first vaccination at 8 - 9 weeks of age at which point the vaccine simply takes over the mother's role in providing protection.
The primary course always consists of two or more vaccinations. This is because:
- timing for effective vaccination varies from kitten to kitten
- some vaccines such as that for feline upper respiratory diseases need to be administered twice in order to achieve a high enough level of immunity
KITTEN VACCINATION GUIDELINE
 First vaccination at 8 or 9 weeks of age, second vaccination is three weeks later:
- Feline enteritis (panleukopenia)
- Feline respiratory disease (snuffles)
ADULT VACCINATION GUIDE (or over 12 weeks of age)
Previously unvaccinated
- Require two injections 3 weeks apart
Vaccinated previously within 2 years
- Only one vaccination required
Annual booster
- One vaccination yearly
Additional Vaccines available
- Feline Leukeamia Virus
- Chlamydia vaccine
It is recommended that an annual booster is given to ensure continued protection, particularly against upper respiratory diseases and leukaemia. Annual booster time provides a regular opportunity to perform a full clinical examination and to discuss any concerns about your pet's health or diet.
If there has been a period of more than eighteen months since the last booster then it may be necessary to give a normal booster plus a second vaccination 2-4 weeks later.
Today's modern vaccines have brought about levels of disease control that would have been undreamt of a little more than a decade ago.
Components of Vaccines
FELINE ENTERITIS
Also known as Feline Panleucopenia, this viral disease is very contagious and the death rate is high especially amongst cats under 12 months of age. Symptoms are depression, loss of appetite, uncontrollable vomiting and diarrhoea, often with blood and abdominal pain. Treatment is often ineffective and cats that do recover may carry the virus for some time and infect other cats.
FELINE RESPIRATORY DISEASE
Otherwise known as "cat flu", it is caused in 90% of cases by Feline Herpes virus (Feline Rhinotracheitis) and/or Feline Calicivirus. Feline respiratory disease affects cats of all ages and is highly contagious, causing sneezing, coughing, runny eyes, nasal discharge, loss of appetite and oral ulcers.
Fortunately the death rate is low except in young kittens. Recovered cats can continue to carry and spread the infection for some time.
FELINE LEUKAEMIA
Feline leukaemia is a serious disease caused by feline leukaemia virus (FeLV). The virus attacks the immune system and may be associated with a whole range of symptoms including some types of tumour formation. Many cats may be infected and show no signs at all for long periods.
Approximately one third of infected cats remain chronically infected and may shed the virus in their saliva and other bodily fluid secretions. The disease is primarily spread by biting and contact with faeces and urine from an infected cat.
FELINE CHLAMYDIA
Chlamydia is a specialised bacteria that can cause upper respiratory disease in young cats especially. A vaccine is available but due to a side effect not infrequently seen ("delayed lethargy syndrome"), it is not recommended unless chlamydia is common in the population or the individual is at serious risk of being infected.
FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS
FIV is another disease affecting the cats immune system. Their natural defence against attack by other diseases may be seriously affected as in HIV. This feline disease is not transmittable to humans. Transmission is similar to FeLV, in particular through biting. At present there is no vaccine for this disease.
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Fleas are more than a minor irritation for both dogs and cats.
They are:
- the primary cause of skin disease
- responsible for transmission of the flea tapeworm
- in severe cases (especially in young animals) the cause of anaemia
- an irritation for humans as well
THE FLEA'S LIFE CYCLE
- Only adult fleas are found on dogs and cats.
- Within 48 hours of it's first bite, the female flea starts to produce eggs. These simply fall from the animal's coat into the environment.
- Flea larvae hatch and begin to feed on organic debris.
- The larvae pupate and spin a cocoon, within which the adult flea develops. Stimulated by warmth and vibration, the flea emerges and jumps on to a host.
- The whole cycle can take as little as 12 days!
STEPS FOR EFFECTIVE FLEA ERADICATION AND CONTROL
- Early, effective elimination of adult fleas before they have time to lay eggs, is the key to effective flea control.
There are many products available to control fleas but most have certain drawbacks. (E.g. some collars, powders, topical treatments can be toxic i.e. organophosphates and/or have a very short period of efficacy)
"Advantage" and "Frontline" are new modern products which get rid of fleas effectively and without toxicity for both the pet and the owner.
"Advantage" is applied once a month and will kill 98-100% of adult fleas within 24 hours of application and after 28 days can still kill 95% of fleas on contact.
- Fleas spend 95% of their life cycle off the pet!
Therefore in severe infestations treatment of the environment is also a very important part of the control programme.
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WHY WORM?
Regular worming is essential to make sure your pet enjoys the best of health, and it's easy to do.
Roundworms and tapeworms are intestinal parasites. They can cause vomiting and diarrhoea in young animals. Lungworm also occurs and can cause a chronic mild cough. Adult cats may or may not show clinical signs of ill health.
WHAT TO DO!
Many worm treatments do not kill all types of worms, so it is important to get professional advice on what is the most effective product for your pet. Worming is easy, effective and costs little.
KITTENS
It is very important to worm kittens as worm infestations can cause serious illness. Kittens should be wormed every 2 weeks (from 6 weeks of age) until they are 12 weeks of age. After that time they should be treated every 3 months.
ADULT CATS
Adult cats should be treated every 3 months. Tapeworm segments around the anus (often described as "rice grains") are the most commonly seen evidence of tapeworm infestation. Flea control is a very important part of tapeworm control as cats become infected by swallowing fleas, which contain tapeworm larvae, while grooming.
PREGNANT CATS
Pregnant cats should be wormed before mating and again after giving birth.
Getting the right product and using it
correctly are the two main factors in
keeping your pet free of worms.
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SPEYING YOUR CAT
This is the removal of both the ovaries and uterus via a very small incision in the left flank which usually requires only one stitch. Pre and post-operative pain relief is given along with long acting antibiotics and she is home the same day.
Cats may be speyed at any age although, preferably between 12 – 16 weeks old, and certainly before they are 6 months old.
Advantages:
- no unwanted litters of kittens
- no yowling at night as she calls to all the local tom cats
- no cat fights occurring as toms gather to compete for her affections
Old Wives Tales
- Cats need to have 1 litter
- Early speying will alter their personality
CASTRATING YOUR TOM
This is the removal of both testes of the cat via two small incisions in his scrotum. Castration is best performed before 5 months of age before he develops a number of undesirable male behaviour patterns.
Advantages
- decreased territory marking i.e. urine spraying in and around the home
- reduced unwanted litters of kittens
- reduced wandering which results in less fighting with less abscesses, less chance of being hit by a car and less chance of contracting several incurable viral diseases including Feline Leukaemia virus and Feline Immunodeficiency virus (FIV).
TO DESEX OR NOT TO DESEX?
Generally, unless you intend to breed from your pet, then early desexing is the answer!
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Kittens
The weaning of kittens should begin when they are 3-4 weeks of age by offering moistened quality dry food. The kittens will still rely partially on the queen's milk until 6-7 weeks of age by which time they should be fully weaned. After weaning, changing to or adding a wet food may cause vomiting +/or diarrhoea.
It is important NOT to overfeed - a fat kitten may have a greater chance of developing into a fat adult. Remember, the adult size of a cat is determined genetically, not by how fast it grows.
Variety?
Contrary to popular belief, cats do not need a variety in their diets. Repeated changing of diets create finicky eaters and a cupboard full of open bags of food.
Cats (unlike dogs) require certain amounts and types of amino acids in their diets as a necessity. Many home prepared diets are deficient in certain vitamins, minerals and importantly amino acids.
FEEDING
Before feeding a cat, a number of decisions have to be made, including the method of feeding, the type of food to use, and the cost and value of the diet.
METHODS OF FEEDING
- Ad Lib - free choice
- Set Portion Feeding
- Time Restricted Feeding
Portion feeding (precise amount given per day) is the best.
TYPES OF FOOD
There are many brands of food available and more are being released every month. It is important to choose a diet of high quality. For example, some dry cat biscuits are designed only as a snack and not as a complete food. Also, moist foods often give no accurate feeding guidelines.
COST AND VALUE OF THE DIET
This can only be calculated once an daily feeding portion is known. This may be most easily done with premium dry foods which because of their higher nutrient density, require smaller portions to be fed per day.( which often equates to very competitive pricing)
MEAT
Meat is not the entire natural diet of a dog or cat. As a hunter, the whole carcass including organs, bones and cartilage were eaten
DAIRY PRODUCTS
Old Wive’s Tale - "kittens and cats need milk"
Not all animals are able to tolerate milk and milk products. Cow's milk contains lactose in considerable quantities and many kittens and puppies lose the ability to digest it, resulting in diarrhoea. Also, some dairy products are thought to be responsible for some food allergies in dogs and cats. Some dairy products also have a high fat content which can cause diarrhoea and obesity.
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