Information about the Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Program 2021

Dr. Jerusha (Jessie) Lay, Assistant Professor of Animal Health

cats. Panleukopenia is a virus that creates a variety of symptoms and can be fatal. The other three pathogens cause similar upper respiratory infections. All of these pathogens are contagious from cat to cat. Symptoms of upper respiratory disease include sneezing, runny nose, eye infections, fever and loss of appetite. These infections can be severe and, in cases of feline herpes virus, may cause reoccurring episodes throughout life. Luckily, there are vaccines available.

Cats make wonderful companions for many households. Compared to dogs, they usually have less grooming needs and require less training or exercise. However, it is important to provide them with proper preventative care to keep them healthy. Any new cats brought into your household should be taken to your veterinarian for a general health assessment and vaccines. Your veterinarian will make recommendations for vaccination and advise you on additional care issues, such as nutrition and parasite prevention. Vaccines that are considered “Core Vaccines” are recommended for all cats and include the vaccine for Upper Respiratory Disease and rabies virus. Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus are “non-core vaccines” that will be recommended based on the risk factors for individual cats.

Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (feline herpes virus), Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia (feline distemper) viruses, as well as the bacteria Chlamydia Psittaci, are common causes of upper respiratory infections in cats. Panleukopenia is a virus that creates a variety of symptoms and can be fatal. The other three pathogens cause similar upper respiratory infections. All of these pathogens are contagious from cat to cat. Symptoms of upper respiratory disease include sneezing, runny nose, eye infections, fever and loss of appetite. These infections can be severe and, in cases of feline herpes virus, may cause reoccurring episodes throughout life. Luckily, there are vaccines available.

A vaccine for upper respiratory disease is considered a Core Vaccine, meaning it should be given to all cats and kittens regardless of whether they are indoor or outdoor. Multiple causes of upper respiratory infections are combined into the same vaccine for convenience. New cats/kittens with unknown vaccination status that are brought into your home should be quarantined or kept away from any other cats for at least 10 days and should be taken to your veterinarian for vaccinations as soon as possible. Kittens are recommended to have a series of at least three boosters that are given 2-4 weeks apart. Until the booster series is complete, kittens' contact with cats that could be infected should still be limited. After the initial series, the combination vaccine should be given yearly.

the booster series is complete, kittens' contact with cats that could be infected should still be limited. After the initial series, the combination vaccine should be given yearly.

Rabies virus is a fatal disease that affects most species of mammals, including humans. Rabies may be carried by certain species of wildlife. It is then transmitted