Mary Allen
When kittens first open their eyes and begin to explore their surroundings, they are still immune to most infections.
They ingest antibodies with their mother’s milk, which protect them against dangerous pathogens until they are two months old.
But as soon as the transition to solid food begins, the protection provided by breast milk wears off and the little one’s immune system is left to fend for itself. Then it is important to develop defenses against viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Many of the pathogens are harmless and even kittens can easily deal with them. However, some diseases, especially viral infections, can be devastating and even fatal. Therefore, your veterinarian should take a close look at the offspring at the latest when they are two months old and — very importantly — vaccinate them against the most common diseases. These include feline plague, cat flu, and leukemia. When repeat vaccination after three to four weeks should also be vaccinated against rabies. After that, the boys are usually immune, the booster vaccination is necessary after one year.
First cure, then vaccination is crucial that the animals are healthy at the time of vaccination. If a runny nose and watery eyes already indicate cat flu, the vaccination must be postponed. Carefully clean the mouth, nose, and eyes with chamomile tea, provide an undisturbed, not too cool place and be sure to separate the patient from other, healthy cats. In the event of a purulent discharge or swollen eyelids, you should always consult a veterinarian. Caution is also required if sick cats do not want to eat or drink anything for a long time. Then, if necessary, liquid and vitamins must be supplied by injections.
Viruses as stowawaysEven if your cat never goes outside, you shouldn’t do without vaccinations. Some pathogens, including the feline distemper virus, are extraordinarily stable. You can therefore get close to your cat “piggyback” so to speak via objects, clothing, and shoes. In addition, there is a risk of infection not only from other cats but also from the dog, as it is infected by a close relative of the cat disease virus. When younger unvaccinated animals contract the feline plague, they show severe diarrhea, vomiting, and high fever. Take them to the vet immediately, because the little ones only have a chance of surviving with the most intensive care. In the case of rabies and pseudo-range (Aujeszky), any help comes too late. Most of the time, the disease is only noticed in the final stages, when profuse salivation and paralysis occur. Then, in the case of rabies, it can also become dangerous for humans. For this reason alone, you should have your cat vaccinated against it. Although there have been hardly any cases of rabies in Germany in recent years, the disease can be reintroduced at any time by foxes or rodents. While there is a reliable vaccine against rabies, only careful feeding can help against Aujeszky’s disease. The disease mainly affects pigs and cattle, but cats can also be infected through their meat. You should therefore always heat pork and beef well before feeding to kill the pathogens. Pseudo-rage is harmless to humans.
Hidden infections Where many cats live together in a small space, infectious diseases can generally spread more easily. It is then important that there are no other influences such as stress or poor nutrition. The cats should be housed in well-ventilated and air-conditioned rooms and be able to withdraw at any time. A separate area for infected and sick cats is also important. Especially with leukosis, which can be detected by a blood test, you can avoid infecting healthy cats. The insidious thing about leukemia is that years often go by without the cat showing tumors, swelling lymph nodes, or recurring infections. Some cats don’t get sick at all, they just pass on the virus. Here, too, early vaccination in conjunction with a blood test is the safest form of protection.
Unfortunately, there is no vaccination against the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). In infected cats, it sooner or later triggers an immune deficiency that is similar to AIDS in humans. If adult cats often suffer from sore eyes, mouth, and throat, this can indicate an FIV infection. If the vet finds FIV through a blood test, this is by no means a death sentence. With a healthy diet, good care, and an appropriate attitude, your patient can still look forward to a few healthy years. After all, cats almost only get infected through bites or fights, so it is quite possible to keep infected and healthy cats together. However, you should not let your stray cat go outside, as it could infect other cats during territorial fights. In addition, FIV-positive cats are more susceptible to stress and infection, so a sheltered home is the best defense against disease.
Feline infectious peritonitis, FIP for short, is also particularly dangerous. Similar to leukemia or FIV, the virus only shows signs of illness after some time. At first, you may only notice tiredness, weakness, and emaciation in your darling, without even suspecting an illness. However, the cats infect other cats during this time. Later, almost all organs can be affected: the signs range from a swollen stomach to diarrhea and paralysis. Without laboratory tests, it is not possible to diagnose the disease. There is also no effective treatment to date. FIP is almost always fatal. Vaccination against FIP is often offered, but its effectiveness is disputed. Various new studies from recent years have not been able to prove any significant protection against infection after vaccination. FIP diagnosis hits families with multiple cats particularly hard. Because then it is very likely that all animals are infected. In affected catteries, early weaning from the mother is the only way to raise FIP-free kittens. You should wean the kittens after just four weeks and raise them by hand separately from other cats. This may be very tedious but often brings promising results. Many cats spend a lot of time outdoors from an early age and never get sick despite intense scuffles. But very few have the proverbial seven lives. With regular vaccinations and appropriate preventive care, you can secure the best prospects for long-term happiness with your loved ones.