Feline
Rabies- Rabies is a virus, unusual in that it can be contracted by any mammal. It is a central nervous system disease. It is untreatable and incurable. It is spread from the saliva or blood of an infected, sick animal.
Feline Rhinotracheatis- A highly contagious viral disease causing upper respiratory symptoms, coughing, eye inflammation, inappetance, and fever. Can be fatal to kittens and debilitated cats
Feline Panleukopenia- A contagious virus causing vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. Often fatal in kittens.
Feline Calicivirus- A contagious virus causing severe upper respiratory symptoms and can cause mouth ulcers. Can reoccur throughout life.
Feline Leukemia- A retrovirus that destroys the immune system causing many different health problems. It is eventually fatal.
Vaccine Schedule
Kittens start vaccines at 6-8 weeks until they are 12 weeks old. Frequent boosters allows their immature immune system to develope protective immunity.
Rabies is required by State Law for all felines, indoors or outdoors. A kitten must be at least 12 weeks old to get it's first vaccine. The vaccine is booster every year after that.
Distemper vaccines, which includes Rhinotracheatis, Panleukopenia, and Calicivirus, is recommended for all cats because of the ease of transmission of those disease. In kittens it needs to be boostered every 3-4 weeks. Adult cats who never had it need 1 booster in 3-4 weeks. The vaccine is boostered in 1 year and then every 3 years.
Leukemia is transmitted from direct cat contact, usually through bite wounds or sharing dishes. We only recommend it for outdoor cats, cats exposed to ourtdoor cats, or exposed to known carriers. It required 1 vaccine ,a booster in 3-4 weeks, 1 booster in a year, and then every 3 years.
We recommend any cat getting Leukemia vaccine to be tested first to make sure they haven't already been exposed. they can get if directly from their Mother or anytime along the way. If they already carry the virus the vaccine will not help them. The test also screens for FIV, Feline Immundeficiency Virus, very similar to HIV. There is no vaccine for FIV, and there is no direct treatment for either disease. knowing if they carry these diseases or not can help with future medical decisions
Zoonotic Disease
Zoonotic diseases are diseases that can be passed from pets to humans.
Rabies- Rabies is an unusual virus because it can effect all mammals. Usually viruses are pretty species specific. Rabies attacks the central nervous system. Rabies cannot be treated or cured, it is a fatal disease. It is spread through the saliva or blood of an infected animal. It cannot be transmitted through ingestion, urine, stool or anal gland secretions. The Infected saliva or blood must come in contact with the bloodstream of the animal attacked. If bitten it can take 2 weeks -6 months to manifest symptoms of the disease. Only when the virus reaches th brain do symptoms occur. Once this happens the animal will die within 2 weeks. Only at this time is the animal contagious. There are two manifestations of symptoms. The "furious" kind shows irrational agression and furocity, uncoordination, confusion, and usually the classic frothing at the mouth. the "stupid" kind is quiet, confused, and uncoordinated. Once the animal dies the virus dies within hours.
Because rabies is fatal and can be spread to humans the State of Maine requires all dogs and cats to be vaccinated for rabies. The Veterinarian has to furnish a copy of every canine rabies certificate it produces to the state and the dog must be registered in town where it lives. If an unvaccinated or overdue animal has a wound of unknown origin, a known incident with wildlife, or an altercation with a domestic animal that does not have documentation of vaccination the animal must recieve a rabies vaccine and is subject to quarantine based on the situation. If the pet is up to date on it's rabies it still gets a booster and different quarantine rules apply. The only test for rabies involves the brain tissue of a deceased animal. Even indoor cats need rabies vaccines for potential exposure to rodents and bats. The health and legal ramifications are too great to ignore.
Leptospirosis- Leptospirosis is a bacteria transmitted through the urine of wildlife. Area of standing or stagnant water can be contaminated and your dog can pick it up. Increased rainfall may elevate the risk, so spring and Fall are the worst seasons. The bacteria can infect many organs, but the kidneys and liver are the most at risk. Kidney failure and death can occur. If you have an infected animal you are at risk of exposure through their urine. Leptospirosis can be hard to diagnose.
Roundworms- Roundworms are a very common intestinal parasite in dogs and cats. Puppies and kittens are frequently born with them. The worm will encyst in the muscle tissue of the mother and become dormant. They are stimulated by the hormones associated with birth, come out of their cyst and infect the babies through the placenta. They shed eggs through the stool of the infected animal. The eggs will be picked up and ingested by the next host. Humans are not a natural host to roundworms . If a human is exposed and the eggs hatch into larvae they migrate around. They migrate through different organs and can cause tissue damage. They can even lodge in the eye and cause blindness.
Hookworms- These are also an intestinal parasite. Puppies and kittens can also be born with hookworms. Eggs are spread through the feces of the infected animal. Hookworm larvae can directly penetrate the skin of humans. The larvae migrate around under the skin causing inflammation, one type of hookworm can penetrate into deeper tissues.
We at Cape Vet and the CDC recommend routine fecal intestinal parasite checks along with an annual exam, especially in families with children. Even indoor cats can be at risk from rodents, and commercial potting soil can contain roundworm eggs.
