Feline Health

We recommend beginning vaccines at 6 weeks of age. These vaccines need to be boostered every 3 weeks until your kitten is 12 weeks of age. A rabies vaccine will also be given at 12 weeks of age. A Leukemia vaccine should be given when he/she is about 10 weeks of age. This vaccine also needs to be boostered in 3-4 weeks. If your kitten will be going outside, we recommend starting heartworm preventative as soon as possible. Heartgard is given once a month. We will also worm your new kitten for intestinal worms. Revolution is also available to prevent heartworm disease, along with preventing fleas and ticks. If you plan on spaying or neutering your kitten, you may do so anytime 2 weeks after the last set of vaccines. We recommend testing your kitten for FELV/FIV. Both FELV and FIV are common infectious diseases. Please see Common Feline Diseases below for more information.

Annual physical exams are very important to your pets overall health. Pets age at much faster rate than humans, therefore developing diseases at a faster rate. Some diseases can be picked up by our veterinarians on physical exam, or may require further diagnostic work. The sooner a disease is diagnosed, the better the prognosis for your pet. After a compete physical exam, a vaccine protocol will be developed for your cat. If your cat has developed dental disease since the last physical exam, we recommend a dental. Please visit our section on dental disease.

A pet is considered a senior animal when it reaches 7 years of age. This is approximately 45 years in human years! We recommend an annual physical exam, a general health blood profile, a urinalysis, an ECG, a blood pressure, and a T-4 each year. These lab tests can detect changes in your pets health before they "appear" to be declining in health. Once again, early detection can lead to a better prognosis for your pet. Please ask our staff for more information about our Senior Wellness Plans. See our aging chart for cats!

Vaccines will be recommended for your cat once our veterinarians have evaluated your cats age, history, and risk of exposure.

VACCINES ARE MADE TO BE SAFE. OCCASIONALLY, THERE WILL BE SIDE AFFECTS. IF YOUR CAT HAS VOMITING, DIARRHEA, FACIAL SWELLING, HIVES OR A SKIN REACTION, PLEASE CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY.

Recent studies indicate that some feline vaccines may be causing vaccine induced sarcoma's. Studies indicate that adjuvants used in vaccines may be the cause of these fatal tumors. We now use Purevax vaccines, which does not use an adjuvant in the vaccine. Purevax Rabies is a highly purified rabies vaccine just for cats and kittens, and uses natural components that produce immunity. Purevax Leukemia is also a new vaccine available that utilizes recombinant technology, leaving out the adjuvant once needed in vaccines. The American Association of Feline Practitioners is an organization of Feline Only Veterinarians. They meet twice a year to develop protocols, review products, and make recommendations specific to your cat. Please visit their webpage for more information to help your cat live a longer healthier life!

Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR): A common respiratory infection of cats which can be fatal in kittens. Sneezing, decreased appetite, and fever, followed by a thick discharge from the eyes and nose are often observed. Rhinotracheitis also has a chronic state, in which recovered cats become carriers for life. These carriers may or may not experience signs of the disease, and will shed the virus intermittently. Transmission of the virus requires direct contact with infectious secretions or excretion.

Calicivirus FCV): An upper respiratory infection of cats with similar signs of FVR. In addition, ulcers may be seen on the tongue and in the mouth. FCV also has a carrier state, in which healthy looking cats are carriers of the virus. Infection is acquired by ingestion or inhalation of infectious virus present in saliva, secretions or excretions from affected cats.

Panleukopenia (FPV): A widespread and potentially fatal disease which may cause a sudden onset of sever vomiting and diarrhea, fever, and loss of appetite . It is extremely dangerous in kittens, but can be fatal in adults. Even when recovery occurs, a normal looking kitten may shed the virus for up to 6 weeks. The virus is shed in secretions and excretions from infected animals.

Pnemonitis-Chlamydia (FPN): This is another common respiratory infection in cats producing sneezing, fever and a thick discharge from the eyes. Chlamydial infection may be associated with the development of more serious bacterial complications.

Leukemia (FeLV): Infection with this virus can cause more serious disease and death in cats. The virus decreases the ability of the immune system to respond to infection and may lead to the development of different types on cancer. FeLV is passed from cat to cat by direct contact. It is not contagious to people. FeLV is the leading cause of death in cats.

Infectious Peritonitis (FIP): This viral disease is most often seen in young adult cats. Once clinical signs are exhibited, the disease is progressive leads to death. There are two types of clinical disease, wet form and dry form. In the wet form, large amounts of fluids build up in the body cavities, especially the abdominal cavity. In the dry form, the clinical signs are variable depending on the organ systems are affected, such as the intestines, kidneys, liver, lungs, nervous system or eyes. The dry form usually has a longer clinical course and death may not occur for a year or more. The virus may be contracted by ingesting infected feces.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV): This virus can be present within a cat for years and show no symptoms. The virus is transmitted by direct contact (via saliva from bite wounds) or through pregnant and lactating mothers.

Rabies: A fatal viral infection of the central nervous system that can affect all mammals, including humans. The virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Routine vaccination is the key to controlling this deadly disease.

Please visit the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/healthypets/ for more information.

Although Heartworm Disease in Cats has not become an epidemic in our area like canine heartworm has, there is a steady increase in the number of cases diagnosed. Unfortunately, their is no treatment available for cats once that contract the disease. Cats diagnosed with heartworm disease only live about 6 months after becoming infected. We recommend putting your cat on preventative if he/she will be going outside. Remember, IT ONLY TAKES ONE MOSQUITO and it only TAKES ONE HEARTWORM TO KILL A CAT! We recommend Heartgard chewables once a month, year round, or Revolution applied monthly.

Watch out for signs of these parasites that are particularly prevalent in the warmer months. Please feel free to discuss any preventative available with us. We want to make sure the product you are using is safe for you and your pet. If your pet becomes infested with either fleas or ticks, you need to treat both your pet and the environment. If you notice a flea problem in your home, dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag after each use. Fleas may also cause irritation and an allergic reaction to your pets.

Many flea and tick products in the stores utilize pyrethrins as the active ingredient. PYRETHRINS IS FATAL TO CATS! DO NOT USE ANY PRODUCT WITH THIS INGREDIENT ON YOUR CAT!

Ticks attach to your cat (and you) and feed on blood until they are engorged. In all areas of the country, ticks can carry serious diseases that can be fatal to your cat such as cytauxzoonosis. Ticks generally feed for a period of time before transmitting disease.

We recommend Frontline Plus for our clients. This product is the safest product on the market, and can not be ingested in large enough quantities to be toxic. Fipronil (the active ingredient) is used on rice crops around the world. Simply apply Frontline on your pet between the shoulder blades once a month, and your pet will be flea and tick free for 30 days. Revolution is also available to prevent fleas and ticks, and is applied monthly.

Pet Health Insurance:

Insurance is available to help with cost associated with veterinary care. Please visit http://www.petsbest.com for more information!

Plants are often sprayed with insecticides and treated with fertilizers. These products may mask or alter the adverse clinic signs observed in animals exposed to a hazardous plant. Even non-toxic plant material may cause physical irritation to the gastrointestinal system with mild stomach upset. The following is a list of potentially hazardous plants, and is in no way complete, however, it does represent the most common kept plants.

Aloe Vera, Amaryllis, Andromeda japonica, Apple (seeds and wilting leaves), Apple Leaf Croton, Avocado (fruit and pit), Azalea, Baby's Breath, Bird of Paradise, Birdnest sansovioria, Bittersweet, Branching Ivy, Buckeye, Buddhist Pine, Caladium, Calla Lily, Carnation, Castor Bean, Ceriman, Cherry (seeds and wilting leaves), Chinaberry Tree, Chinese Evergreen, Christmas Cactus, Christmas Rose, Chrysanthemum, Cineraria, Clematis, Coleus, Cordatum, Corn Plant, Cornstalk Plant, Croton, Cuban Laurel, Cucads, Cyclamen, Daffodil, Daisy, Day Lily, Dracaena, Dragon Tree, Dumb Cane, Easter Lily, Elaine, Elephant Ears, Emerald Feather, English Ivy, Fiddle-leaf Fig, Flamingo Plant, Florida Beauty, Foxglove, Geranium, German Ivy, Glacier Ivy, Glory Lily, Golden Pothos, Hahn's Self-Branching English Ivy, Heavenly Bamboo, Hibiscus, Holly, Hosta, Hurricane Plant, Hyacinth, Hydrangea, Indian Laurel, Indian Rubber Plant, iris, Japanese Show Lily, Jade Plants, Jerusalem Cherry, Kalanchoe, Lily of the Valley, Macadamia Nut, Madagascar Dragon Tree, Marble Queen, Marijuana, Mexican Breadfruit, Miniature Croton, Mistletoe, Morning Glory, Mother-in-Law's Tongue, Narcissus, Needlepoint Ivy, Nephthytis, Nightshade, Norfolk Pine, Oleander, Onion, Oriental Lily, Peace Lily, Peach (wilting leaves and pits), Pencil Cactus, Philodendron, Plum (wilting leaves and pits), Plumosa Fern, Poinsettia, Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Pothos, Precatory Bean, Primrose, Red Emerald, Red Lily, Red Princess, Rhododendron, Ribbon Plant, Rubrum Lily, Sago Palm, Satin Pothos, Schefflera, Silver Pothos, Stargazer Lily, String of Pearls/Beads, Sweet Pea, Sweetheart Ivy, Swiss Cheese Plant, Taro Vine, Tiger Lily, Tomato Plant (green fruit, stem, and leaves) Tulip, Variegated Rubber Plant, Wandering Jew, Weeping Fig, Western Lily, Wood Lily, Yesterday, TOday and Tomorrow, Yew, Yucca.

To obtain a more complete list of plants, both toxic and non-toxic, including their scientific names, write to the ASPCA NAPCC, 1717 S. Philo Road, Suite 36, Urbana, IL 61802.