Vaccinations
Since vaccinations have become available many pets are saved from the ravages of serious and life threatening diseases. By vaccinating your cats when they are kittens and having boosters throughout their lives, you reduce the risk of them contracting these diseases as well as spreading them through the community resulting in mass fatalities.
Vaccinations
Since vaccinations have become available many pets are saved from the ravages of serious and life threatening diseases. By vaccinating your cats when they are kittens and having boosters throughout their lives, you reduce the risk of them contracting these diseases as well as spreading them through the community resulting in mass fatalities.
Cat Vaccination Guide
Kittens will have some protection through the antibodies they receive from their mother’s milk, but these decline within the first couple of months. They need to drop enough so that they do not neutralise the vaccines. This means that they need to go through a full course of vaccinations in order to be adequately protected. Adult cats will need to be vaccinated on a regular basis in order to keep their immunity to the diseases. This is usually done at the annual health check. Regular boosters will ensure protection against a variety of diseases for the lifespan of your cat.
Kittens and unvaccinated adult cats should have a minimum of 2 vaccinations, 3 to 4 weeks apart against calicivirus, rhinotracheitis, feline panleukopenia, leukaemia virus and chlamydia. They should also have 3 vaccinations against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), 3 to 4 weeks apart. First vaccinations should be done on or after 8 weeks of age. Boosters should be done yearly thereafter.
After the vaccination, your cat may seem a little out of sorts for a couple of days. There may be some tenderness and inflammation at the vaccination site. Your cat should be kept comfortable and be allowed to rest to recover quickly. Make sure they have adequate and easy access to food and water. If you find that your cat is having a usual or severe reaction to the vaccination, contact your vet as soon as possible.
Cat Vaccination Guide
Kittens will have some protection through the antibodies they receive from their mother’s milk, but these decline within the first couple of months. They need to drop enough so that they do not neutralise the vaccines. This means that they need to go through a full course of vaccinations in order to be adequately protected. Adult cats will need to be vaccinated on a regular basis in order to keep their immunity to the diseases. This is usually done at the annual health check. Regular boosters will ensure protection against a variety of diseases for the lifespan of your cat.
Kittens and unvaccinated adult cats should have a minimum of 2 vaccinations, 3 to 4 weeks apart against calicivirus, rhinotracheitis, feline panleukopenia, leukaemia virus and chlamydia. They should also have 3 vaccinations against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), 3 to 4 weeks apart. First vaccinations should be done on or after 8 weeks of age. Boosters should be done yearly thereafter.
After the vaccination, your cat may seem a little out of sorts for a couple of days. There may be some tenderness and inflammation at the vaccination site. Your cat should be kept comfortable and be allowed to rest to recover quickly. Make sure they have adequate and easy access to food and water. If you find that your cat is having a usual or severe reaction to the vaccination, contact your vet as soon as possible.
Vaccinations are given against the following diseases:
Feline Enteritis
Feline Enteritis (also known as Feline Panleucopenia) is a highly contagious disease with a very high death rate especially for cats under a year old. Pregnant cats are at risk of aborting their kittens, having still births or having kittens with abnormalities and even brain damage. Symptoms of the disease include: incontrollable diarrhoea and vomiting which may contain blood, loss of appetite, depression and severe abdominal pain. The entire environment would need to be disinfected with a purpose made disinfectant. Some cats recover but can infect other cats for months afterwards.
Feline Respiratory Disease (Cat Flu)
Feline Respiratory Disease (Cat flu) is caused by feline calicivirus and/or feline herpesvirus (feline rhinotracheitis) in 9 out of 10 cases. This disease can be found in cats of any age but is especially prevalent in young kittens. Burmese and Siamese cats are more at risk than other breeds. This highly contagious disease causes runny eyes, sneezing, loss of appetite, nasal discharge, coughing and tongue ulcers. The chance of recovery is quite high in older cats but less so in kittens. After recovery, cats can still spread the disease for a long period as they become carriers. The disease can also reoccur if the cat becomes stressed out.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia (also known as Chlamydophila) is a disease that causes persistent conjunctivitis which can be quite severe. Kittens are more likely to be affected than adult cats especially if they already have contracted Cat flu. The disease can be spread for months after infection.
Feline Leukaemia (FeLV)
Feline Leukaemia (FeLV) is caused by the feline leukaemia virus. The virus results in a depressed immune system, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhoea, apathy, yellow or pale mucous membranes, problems with reproduction, high susceptibility to other illnesses and infections, tumour and blood cancer. Some cats do not show any signs or symptoms of the disease but may die due to contracting other infections. Some cats (around 30%) stay chronically infected and may shed the virus in their tears, saliva, urine and nasal secretions. Cats can pick it up when fighting or grooming other cats. It can also be spread by fleas.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is a disease that affects the immune system. This means that the cat is not able to defend against viruses and disease, similar to AIDS in humans. Humans cannot pick up this disease from cats though. The disease is carried in the saliva as well as blood and is usually transferred through bites. Some cats don't show signs of infection while others will have swollen lymph nodes, lethargy, fever, loss of appetite and diarrhoea. Cats with this disease may also have a poor coat, sores in and around the mouth, weight loss, chronic infections and eye lesions. They will usually die as a result of an unrelated infection as their immune system is not able to fight off the infection. Many cats in Australia are infected with FIV.
Feline Enteritis
Feline Enteritis (also known as Feline Panleucopenia) is a highly contagious disease with a very high death rate especially for cats under a year old. Pregnant cats are at risk of aborting their kittens, having still births or having kittens with abnormalities and even brain damage. Symptoms of the disease include: incontrollable diarrhoea and vomiting which may contain blood, loss of appetite, depression and severe abdominal pain. The entire environment would need to be disinfected with a purpose made disinfectant. Some cats recover but can infect other cats for months afterwards.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia (also known as Chlamydophila) is a disease that causes persistent conjunctivitis which can be quite severe. Kittens are more likely to be affected than adult cats especially if they already have contracted Cat flu. The disease can be spread for months after infection.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is a disease that affects the immune system. This means that the cat is not able to defend against viruses and disease, similar to AIDS in humans. Humans cannot pick up this disease from cats though. The disease is carried in the saliva as well as blood and is usually transferred through bites. Some cats don't show signs of infection while others will have swollen lymph nodes, lethargy, fever, loss of appetite and diarrhoea. Cats with this disease may also have a poor coat, sores in and around the mouth, weight loss, chronic infections and eye lesions. They will usually die as a result of an unrelated infection as their immune system is not able to fight off the infection. Many cats in Australia are infected with FIV.
Feline Respiratory Disease (Cat Flu)
Feline Respiratory Disease (Cat flu) is caused by feline calicivirus and/or feline herpesvirus (feline rhinotracheitis) in 9 out of 10 cases. This disease can be found in cats of any age but is especially prevalent in young kittens. Burmese and Siamese cats are more at risk than other breeds. This highly contagious disease causes runny eyes, sneezing, loss of appetite, nasal discharge, coughing and tongue ulcers. The chance of recovery is quite high in older cats but less so in kittens. After recovery, cats can still spread the disease for a long period as they become carriers. The disease can also reoccur if the cat becomes stressed out.
Feline Leukaemia (FeLV)
Feline Leukaemia (FeLV) is caused by the feline leukaemia virus. The virus results in a depressed immune system, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhoea, apathy, yellow or pale mucous membranes, problems with reproduction, high susceptibility to other illnesses and infections, tumour and blood cancer. Some cats do not show any signs or symptoms of the disease but may die due to contracting other infections. Some cats (around 30%) stay chronically infected and may shed the virus in their tears, saliva, urine and nasal secretions. Cats can pick it up when fighting or grooming other cats. It can also be spread by fleas.
Feline Enteritis
Feline Enteritis (also known as Feline Panleucopenia) is a highly contagious disease with a very high death rate especially for cats under a year old. Pregnant cats are at risk of aborting their kittens, having still births or having kittens with abnormalities and even brain damage. Symptoms of the disease include: incontrollable diarrhoea and vomiting which may contain blood, loss of appetite, depression and severe abdominal pain. The entire environment would need to be disinfected with a purpose made disinfectant. Some cats recover but can infect other cats for months afterwards.
Feline Leukaemia (FeLV)
Feline Leukaemia (FeLV) is caused by the feline leukaemia virus. The virus results in a depressed immune system, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhoea, apathy, yellow or pale mucous membranes, problems with reproduction, high susceptibility to other illnesses and infections, tumour and blood cancer. Some cats do not show any signs or symptoms of the disease but may die due to contracting other infections. Some cats (around 30%) stay chronically infected and may shed the virus in their tears, saliva, urine and nasal secretions. Cats can pick it up when fighting or grooming other cats. It can also be spread by fleas.
Feline Respiratory Disease (Cat Flu)
Feline Respiratory Disease (Cat flu) is caused by feline calicivirus and/or feline herpesvirus (feline rhinotracheitis) in 9 out of 10 cases. This disease can be found in cats of any age but is especially prevalent in young kittens. Burmese and Siamese cats are more at risk than other breeds. This highly contagious disease causes runny eyes, sneezing, loss of appetite, nasal discharge, coughing and tongue ulcers. The chance of recovery is quite high in older cats but less so in kittens. After recovery, cats can still spread the disease for a long period as they become carriers. The disease can also reoccur if the cat becomes stressed out.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is a disease that affects the immune system. This means that the cat is not able to defend against viruses and disease, similar to AIDS in humans. Humans cannot pick up this disease from cats though. The disease is carried in the saliva as well as blood and is usually transferred through bites. Some cats don't show signs of infection while others will have swollen lymph nodes, lethargy, fever, loss of appetite and diarrhoea. Cats with this disease may also have a poor coat, sores in and around the mouth, weight loss, chronic infections and eye lesions. They will usually die as a result of an unrelated infection as their immune system is not able to fight off the infection. Many cats in Australia are infected with FIV.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia (also known as Chlamydophila) is a disease that causes persistent conjunctivitis which can be quite severe. Kittens are more likely to be affected than adult cats especially if they already have contracted Cat flu. The disease can be spread for months after infection.
Dog Vaccination
Vaccines are available which help protect your pets from a variety of contagious and potentially fatal diseases. While many people do vaccinate their puppies, these vaccinations do not protect them for life. They need to get booster vaccinations annually to stay protected.
While they are feeding from their mothers, puppies will have some protection due to the antibodies received in the milk. The antibodies decline over time but can neutralise the vaccines while they are still active. This is why it is important for puppies to have their full series of vaccines. The immunity from these vaccines also diminishes over time, so it is important that your adult dog receive booster vaccines at their annual health check. This will ensure that your dog has less risk of contracting these diseases over their lifespan.
After being vaccinated, your dog may not be at their best for a couple of days. There may also be some pain and inflammation in the area where they were injected. Make sure the dog has adequate food and water available and is allowed to relax comfortably. If there is a severe reaction, contact your vet immediately.
Dog Vaccination
Vaccines are available which help protect your pets from a variety of contagious and potentially fatal diseases. While many people do vaccinate their puppies, these vaccinations do not protect them for life. They need to get booster vaccinations annually to stay protected.
While they are feeding from their mothers, puppies will have some protection due to the antibodies received in the milk. The antibodies decline over time but can neutralise the vaccines while they are still active. This is why it is important for puppies to have their full series of vaccines. The immunity from these vaccines also diminishes over time, so it is important that your adult dog receive booster vaccines at their annual health check. This will ensure that your dog has less risk of contracting these diseases over their lifespan.
After being vaccinated, your dog may not be at their best for a couple of days. There may also be some pain and inflammation in the area where they were injected. Make sure the dog has adequate food and water available and is allowed to relax comfortably. If there is a severe reaction, contact your vet immediately.
Canine Parvovirus
Canine parvovirus is a disease that affects puppies and senior dogs mostly but can affect dogs of any age. This virus attacks the intestines resulting in severe abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea which will often contain blood. Even with vet care, animals often die from severe dehydration. The disease can be spread through contact with the environment, not necessarily a sick animal. The environment will need to be disinfected with a potent disinfectant and clothes, hands, utensils etc. will need to be washed in hot water and disinfected before going near other dogs. In summer, in Australia, Parvo outbreaks are quite common.
Canine Distemper
Canine distemper is a viral disease and is highly contagious. While puppies are at greatest risk, this virus can affect dogs of any age. Symptoms vary but can include depression, fever, sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea. Paralysis, fits and muscle tremors usually occur at a later stage of the disease. Treatment is generally ineffective. The recovery rate of dogs with distemper is very low. Dogs that do recover may suffer from permanent damage to the brain.
Canine Hepatitis
Canine hepatitis is a viral disease. It is extremely contagious and quite often fatal. This disease is a lot more common in dogs under two years old with severe cases in older dogs being rare. Symptoms include depression, loss of appetite, high fever, acute abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. In bad cases animals can die in 24 to 36 hours. Dogs that do recover may end up with long term kidney and liver issues. They can also act as carriers and spread disease to other dogs for months after recovery.
Canine Cough (Kennel Cough)
Canine cough (Kennel cough) is a condition produced by a few highly infectious diseases. This disease can spread wherever dogs congregate. Parks, obedience schools, shows and boarding kennels are some places where this disease is contracted. The infectious agents that are associated with canine cough can include Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria and canine parainfluenza, distemper and adenovirus type 2 among others. Dogs exhibit a hacking, dry cough for a few weeks. This can be a problem for sporting and working dogs in particular, but is distressing for any dogs and their owners. This infection can also lead to pneumonia if untreated.
Canine Coronavirus
Canine coronavirus is a contagious virus which presents symptoms such as depression, vomiting and diarrhoea and loss of appetite, particularly in younger dogs. The diarrhoea and vomiting can last for several days in some cases. Most dogs recover with treatment. Coronavirus can be fatal, especially if the dog has other viruses already present in their system.
Canine Leptospirosis
Canine leptospirosis is transmitted through rat bites and rat urine in the pet's food and water. This disease is more common in areas near to sugar cane fields or rubbish dumps where larger colonies of rats can be found. There is usually an influx of animals infected with this disease after a bout of wet weather. This disease is often fatal in dogs. Humans can also contract this disease. It results in a "flu like" illness that can be quite persistent.
Canine Parvovirus
Canine parvovirus is a disease that affects puppies and senior dogs mostly but can affect dogs of any age. This virus attacks the intestines resulting in severe abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea which will often contain blood. Even with vet care, animals often die from severe dehydration. The disease can be spread through contact with the environment, not necessarily a sick animal. The environment will need to be disinfected with a potent disinfectant and clothes, hands, utensils etc. will need to be washed in hot water and disinfected before going near other dogs. In summer, in Australia, Parvo outbreaks are quite common.
Canine Hepatitis
Canine hepatitis is a viral disease. It is extremely contagious and quite often fatal. This disease is a lot more common in dogs under two years old with severe cases in older dogs being rare. Symptoms include depression, loss of appetite, high fever, acute abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. In bad cases animals can die in 24 to 36 hours. Dogs that do recover may end up with long term kidney and liver issues. They can also act as carriers and spread disease to other dogs for months after recovery.
Canine Coronavirus
Canine coronavirus is a contagious virus which presents symptoms such as depression, vomiting and diarrhoea and loss of appetite, particularly in younger dogs. The diarrhoea and vomiting can last for several days in some cases. Most dogs recover with treatment. Coronavirus can be fatal, especially if the dog has other viruses already present in their system.
Canine Distemper
Canine distemper is a viral disease and is highly contagious. While puppies are at greatest risk, this virus can affect dogs of any age. Symptoms vary but can include depression, fever, sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea. Paralysis, fits and muscle tremors usually occur at a later stage of the disease. Treatment is generally ineffective. The recovery rate of dogs with distemper is very low. Dogs that do recover may suffer from permanent damage to the brain.
Canine Cough (Kennel Cough)
Canine cough (Kennel cough) is a condition produced by a few highly infectious diseases. This disease can spread wherever dogs congregate. Parks, obedience schools, shows and boarding kennels are some places where this disease is contracted. The infectious agents that are associated with canine cough can include Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria and canine parainfluenza, distemper and adenovirus type 2 among others. Dogs exhibit a hacking, dry cough for a few weeks. This can be a problem for sporting and working dogs in particular, but is distressing for any dogs and their owners. This infection can also lead to pneumonia if untreated.
Canine Leptospirosis
Canine leptospirosis is transmitted through rat bites and rat urine in the pet's food and water. This disease is more common in areas near to sugar cane fields or rubbish dumps where larger colonies of rats can be found. There is usually an influx of animals infected with this disease after a bout of wet weather. This disease is often fatal in dogs. Humans can also contract this disease. It results in a "flu like" illness that can be quite persistent.
Canine Parvovirus
Canine parvovirus is a disease that affects puppies and senior dogs mostly but can affect dogs of any age. This virus attacks the intestines resulting in severe abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea which will often contain blood. Even with vet care, animals often die from severe dehydration. The disease can be spread through contact with the environment, not necessarily a sick animal. The environment will need to be disinfected with a potent disinfectant and clothes, hands, utensils etc. will need to be washed in hot water and disinfected before going near other dogs. In summer, in Australia, Parvo outbreaks are quite common.
Canine Cough (Kennel Cough)
Canine cough (Kennel cough) is a condition produced by a few highly infectious diseases. This disease can spread wherever dogs congregate. Parks, obedience schools, shows and boarding kennels are some places where this disease is contracted. The infectious agents that are associated with canine cough can include Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria and canine parainfluenza, distemper and adenovirus type 2 among others. Dogs exhibit a hacking, dry cough for a few weeks. This can be a problem for sporting and working dogs in particular, but is distressing for any dogs and their owners. This infection can also lead to pneumonia if untreated.
Canine Distemper
Canine distemper is a viral disease and is highly contagious. While puppies are at greatest risk, this virus can affect dogs of any age. Symptoms vary but can include depression, fever, sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea. Paralysis, fits and muscle tremors usually occur at a later stage of the disease. Treatment is generally ineffective. The recovery rate of dogs with distemper is very low. Dogs that do recover may suffer from permanent damage to the brain.
Canine Coronavirus
Canine coronavirus is a contagious virus which presents symptoms such as depression, vomiting and diarrhoea and loss of appetite, particularly in younger dogs. The diarrhoea and vomiting can last for several days in some cases. Most dogs recover with treatment. Coronavirus can be fatal, especially if the dog has other viruses already present in their system.
Canine Hepatitis
Canine hepatitis is a viral disease. It is extremely contagious and quite often fatal. This disease is a lot more common in dogs under two years old with severe cases in older dogs being rare. Symptoms include depression, loss of appetite, high fever, acute abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. In bad cases animals can die in 24 to 36 hours. Dogs that do recover may end up with long term kidney and liver issues. They can also act as carriers and spread disease to other dogs for months after recovery.
Canine Leptospirosis
Canine leptospirosis is transmitted through rat bites and rat urine in the pet's food and water. This disease is more common in areas near to sugar cane fields or rubbish dumps where larger colonies of rats can be found. There is usually an influx of animals infected with this disease after a bout of wet weather. This disease is often fatal in dogs. Humans can also contract this disease. It results in a "flu like" illness that can be quite persistent.
