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Children need series of vaccinations when young to prevent deadly and contagious diseases and young cats need proper veterinary examinations and vaccinations for a variety of deadly and contagious illnesses. Ideally, kittens should be tested for Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus at 9-10 weeks and then vaccinated for Feline distemper, rhinotracheitis and calicivirus (FVRCP). Feline distemper is also known as feline parvo virus infection or panleukopenia. Feline parvo virus, like canine parvo virus, causes fever, lack of appetite, depression, vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration. The outcome of this disease is often death. In addition, if a pregnant female cat is exposed to panleukopenia, either abortion will occur or the kittens will be born with brain damage.
Feline distemper is a very contagious disease and can be caught from being in contact with other cats’ bodily excretions, from direct contact from infected cats, and possibly from fleas and other biting insects that have been on cats harboring the virus.
Feline rhinotracheitis and calicivirus are both viral respiratory diseases. Infected kittens or adult cats may be depressed, dehydrated, sneezing, coughing, feverish, and have pus colored discharge from both the eyes and the nose. Ulcers may be present on the eyes, tongue and elsewhere in the mouth, vomiting and diarrhea may occur, and blindness or death may be the final result.
Veterinarians have a combination vaccine that will help to protect your kitten and adult cat against feline distemper and the viral respiratory disease. After the first FVRCP (feline distemper combination) your kitten will need a booster 3-4 weeks later and then once a year thereafter.
Rabies vaccinations are required by law for all cats and dogs at 16 weeks of age. This first rabies vaccine is good in North Carolina for 1 year and then each additional rabies vaccine is good for 3 years.
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