Vaccines are essential weapons in the battle against infectious disease. They are composed of infectious agents that have been altered in some way to make them nonpathogenic, and they work to increase an animal's immunity against the pathogens.
Core vaccines are those that are highly recommended for all cats based on their prevalence and severity. The core vaccines are commonly delivered in a polyvalent, or combination vaccine, with the abbreviation FVRCP.
The first two viruses both contribute to the same problem in cats. The FVR portion of the vaccine stands for feline viral rhinotracheitis, which is one of the primary viral pathogens involved in causing upper respiratory infection in cats. This virus is also called feline herpesvirus 1.
The C stands for calicivirus, also a primary viral contributor to upper respiratory infection. While upper respiratory infection is a complex caused by a host of viral and bacterial pathogens, feline viral rhinotracheitis and calicivirus are responsible for 80-90% of infectious feline upper respiratory diseases.
The symptoms of URI differ depending on the cause and location of the infection, but closely reflect the same symptoms that affect you when you have a cold…such as sneezing, congestions,ome common clinical signs of upper respiratory problems in cats include:
A cat's upper respiratory tract—the nose, throat and sinus area—is susceptible to infections caused by a variety of viruses and bacteria.
A cat with URI may squint due to irritation of his eyes, and the eyes may also have a discharge.
Panleukopenia is caused by a virus very similar to the one that causes parvovirus disease in dogs. It is also known as….
The virus causes two distinct forms of illness. Both forms severely affect kittens; adult cats rarely show sign of illness.
In classic panleukopenia, the virus attacks white blood cells and the intestinal tract. We will see Severe abdominal pain, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Fever, and Extreme dehydration with this form. The death rate among kittens is extremely high.
The virus can also manifest itself in something called cerebellar hypoplasia, which affects kittens who are infected very early in life or in the mother's uterus.
In these kittens, the virus causes malformation of the cerebellum, the part o the brain responsible for coordination. Kittens can recover but will remain uncoordinated throughout life.
The rabies vaccine is included as a core vaccine. Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. It is a major public health concern because is can be easily passed to other mammals.
