Feline Vaccinations: What Cat Owners Need to Know

Vaccinations play an important role in the control of infectious diseases for the individual cat, as well as the general cat population. A vaccination protocol should be developed by your veterinarian based on your cat’s likelihood of exposure to infectious agents, as well as his/her health and lifestyle.

high-paw for updated vaccinations!

Core Vaccinations for Cats

There are two core vaccinations that all cats should receive:

• FVRCP vaccine: This is a combination vaccination that protects your cat from the feline herpes virus, calici virus and panleukopenia viruses. The herpes and calici viruses are responsible for upper respiratory infections. The panleukopenia virus is sometimes called feline parvo and causes vomiting, diarrhea, life-threatening suppression of the immune system, dehydration, neurologic disease, and even death.
• Rabies vaccine: Rabies is transmitted from wildlife as well as unvaccinated animals. It can be transmitted from animals to humans through biting. Rabies cannot be treated once an animal is infected with the virus and will lead to death.

Non-Core Vaccinations

There are other vaccinations that are considered non-core vaccines and your veterinarian may recommend them based on your cat’s lifestyle. They include:

• Feline Leukemia (FeLV) vaccine: The feline leukemia virus is transmitted through saliva of infected cats and fomites (clothing, shoes, countertops, etc.). It can also be transmitted through the uterus from a queen to her kittens. It is a retrovirus that causes immunosuppression in cats. It can also predispose to the development of certain cancers, such as lymphoma or leukemia.
• Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) vaccine: FIV is another retrovirus that is transmitted through bites of infected cats. The vaccine can interfere with the routine laboratory tests used to determine if a cat has been exposed to the virus, so it is usually only recommended for high-risk cats (cats living in a household with FIV-positive cats). Much like the FeLV virus, it can cause suppression of the immune system, life-threatening infections and certain cancers.
• Chlamydophila felis vaccine: Chlamydia is a virus that can cause upper respiratory infections and eye infections. It is sometimes added to the FVRCP combo vaccine. It is most useful in situations like catteries or shelters where there are large numbers of cats living in a small, enclosed environment.

Vaccination schedules vary on the age of your cat and on the lifestyle of your cat. I recommend the American Association of Feline Practitioners guidelines. These guidelines were developed by a group of feline specialists, but it is still important that your veterinarian take into account your cat’s lifestyle, pre-existing illnesses, risk of infection, and previous vaccination reactions when discussing a vaccination schedule for your cat. In general, the following schedule is recommended for healthy cats:

• FVRCP: Starting at 8-9 weeks of age, a kitten should receive the vaccine every 3-4 weeks until 14-16 weeks of age. The vaccine given at 14-16 weeks of age will provide protection for 1 year. The vaccine then should be given every 3 years.
• Rabies: The vaccine is first given between 12 and 16 weeks of age and provides protection for 1 year. It is then given once every 1-3 years based on the state in which the cat lives. For example, in Washington state, there is a low incidence of rabies and the vaccine is given every 3 years.
• FeLV: The first vaccination is given to kittens older than 9 weeks of age and then a booster is given in 3-4 weeks. The booster then provides protection against FeLV for 1 year. The vaccination is repeated after 1 year. If a cat is indoor-only, this will be the last recommended FeLV vaccine. If a cat is an outdoor cat, the vaccine will be repeated once every 1-3 years based on risk of infection. Cats that fight frequently or live in areas with a large feral cat population would receive yearly boosters. Cats that only go outside to sun themselves on the patio would most likely receive the vaccine once every 3 years.

… But my cat never, ever goes outside. Does she still need to get vaccinations?

what about me?

I am often asked if indoor-only cats need to continue to receive vaccinations. The answer to that question is usually yes if a cat is healthy.

Protection from the vaccines gradually subsides in the 3-year period. Rabies virus can be brought into the home through bats or raccoons. Owners can bring the herpes, calici or panleukopenia virus into the environment on their shoes or clothing. There are some theories that indoor cats are more susceptible to the panleukopenia virus because they do not receive boosting through the possibility of natural exposure. Introducing a new cat to the household or boarding at a kennel can also put an indoor cat at risk.

The Bottom Line

Your cat is an individual, and his/her needs are different from other cats’ needs. Your veterinarian should discuss benefits and risks of the recommended vaccinations with you during your cat’s annual exam. This will allow you to be an active participant in your cat’s health care team.

It’s National Hairball Awareness Day!

I don’t know about you, but nothing gets me out of bed faster than hearing my cat trying to vomit up a hairball.

And if your cats are anything like mine, they tend to vomit up the hairball in the most inconvenient places: my shoes, a favorite book, the newly shampooed carpet, the kitchen counter, etc.

Studies have shown that 50 percent to 80 percent of cats routinely vomit up a hairball at least once a month.

How do hairballs form?

A hairball, or trichobezoar, develops from hair that your cat ingests during grooming.

While most of the swallowed hair passes through the cat’s intestinal tract, occasionally it accumulates into a large clump within the stomach. Once a hairball forms, it becomes irritating to the stomach, causing your cat to vomit.

A hairball is typically cylindrical shaped, like a cigar or sausage. It is usually the color of the cat’s fur, darkened by the color of food and gastric secretions, like green-colored bile. (Lovely!) The ejected matter will typically have an unpleasant, but tolerable odor.

Long-haired cats, like Persians and Maine Coons, may be at greater risk for developing hairballs.

Cats tend to form hairballs more frequently during certain seasons of the year when they normally shed their coats.

Can they be prevented?

The good news is that the majority of hairballs, while unpleasant and inconvenient, are not life-threatening. You can decrease the frequency of hairball formation in your cat by brushing your cat daily, using a hairball control diet, or using one of the commercial hairball remedies that can be purchased from your veterinarian or pet store.

When to see a veterinarian

Occasionally a large hairball may pass through the stomach and become lodged in the small intestine, creating an obstruction or blockage. This can become a life-threatening condition if not treated appropriately.

You should schedule an appointment with your veterinarian ASAP if your cat:

• stops eating,
• vomits several times a day for more than one day,
• attempts to vomit but is not able to produce anything, or
• appears to be constipated.

A cat that vomits a hairball more than once or twice a month could have an underlying disease process such as inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, skin allergies, food allergies or even cancer. A trip to the veterinarian is in order if you are cleaning up hairballs more than twice a month.

Happy Hairball Awareness Day, everyone! Treat your kitty to a little extra TLC and hair-brushing today.

Lights, Camera, Action: Feline Wellness Gets a Moment in the TV Spotlight

Hi, everyone! We apologize for the little break in posts, but stay tuned: We’ll be returning soon! In the meantime, I wanted to share some exciting news from our friends and colleagues at the AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners). I am a member of the AAFP and Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital is a gold-level Cat Friendly Practice as designated by the AAFP. Below is information on one of the association’s latest efforts. More from me soon!

– Dr. Carlson

From the AAFP:

Feline wellness is getting its much-deserved moment in the spotlight! The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) will be featured on an episode of Innovations with Ed Begley Jr., airing via The Discovery Channel Monday, April 20, 2015, at 7:30 a.m. EST / PST, 6:30 a.m. CST.

View a sneak peek of the episode:

The AAFP is using this as an opportunity to educate cat owners on the importance of routine check-ups. Eighty-three percent of cats are taken to the vet in the first year of ownership, yet over half of them don’t return!

The AAFP improves the health and welfare of cats by supporting high standards of practice, continuing education for veterinary professionals, and scientific investigation.In this segment, Innovations will educate viewers about the AAFP’s dedication to advancing the field of feline care through supporting veterinary professionals in elevating the standard of care for cats. The association also focuses on educating cat owners to increase their understanding of feline behavior, the value of veterinary care, and the need to actively participate in their cats’ individual healthcare plan. The AAFP’s Cat Friendly Practice® Program (CFP) designation is a major way the association is innovating the field of feline medicine.

Viewers will learn about the AAFP’s CFP designation, which is a program that provides the tools for veterinary professionals to integrate a feline perspective and embrace the standards needed to elevate care for cats. It equips practices with the tools, resources, and information to improve the treatment, handling, and overall healthcare of cats. The CFP program also focuses on reducing the stress of the veterinary visit for both cats and cat owners.

“The AAFP’s Cat Friendly Practice Program is a groundbreaking program in veterinary medicine,” said Susan Little, DVM, DABVP (Feline), 2015 AAFP President. “The time is ripe for a program that helps veterinary practices do the best they can with their feline patients. The CFP program is about setting the standards of care, educating veterinary practices about what their feline patient’s need, about decreasing the stress of the veterinary visit, and it’s about making sure that once the cat is at the veterinary clinic they receive the best quality of care that’s appropriate to the cat.”

In addition, the segment will examine how the AAFP focuses on educating cat owners to increase their understanding of feline behavior, how to reduce the stress of the veterinary visit which actually starts at home before the cat even gets to the clinic, the value of routine veterinary care, and the need to actively participate in their cats’ individual healthcare plan.“We are thrilled to be able to bring this important information to our viewers,” said Michele Nehls, Producer for the series. “Cat lovers around the world will be amazed by the cutting-edge feline-friendly advancements the AAFP’s Cat Friendly Practice program provides.”

The segment will air Monday, April 20, 2015 at 7:30 a.m. EST/PST, 6:30 a.m. CST via The Discovery Channel and be available to view immediately after at: http://www.catvets.com/cfp/ .

Sign of Illness #10: Bad Breath

Many people assume that it is normal for cats to have bad breath or “tuna breath” as I’ve heard it commonly called. Halitosis (medical term for bad breath) should not be present in a healthy cat and is usually a sign of an underlying medical condition.

Possible bad-breath culprits include:

1. Dental disease: Periodontal disease (disease of the supporting tooth structures) is very common in cats. Cats as young as 1 year of age can develop gingivitis. If untreated, gingivitis can lead to tooth loss. Cats are also prone to a condition called stomatitis. Stomatitis is a severe inflammation of the oral tissues including the gums, lips, hard palate, cheeks and tissues at the back of the throat. It is an extremely painful condition and often requires extraction of all of the teeth because it is caused by an abnormal immune response to tooth enamel. (The cat’s immune system starts to see the teeth as foreign objects.) Abscessed or infected tooth roots can also cause bad breath.
2. Oral tumors: Tumors of the tongue and gums are a common finding in geriatric cats.
3. Spread through grooming: Cats are fastidious creatures and spend a lot of their awake-time grooming. Infected anal glands or infected skin can cause bad breath as your cat grooms these areas.
4. Kidney disease: Cats with advanced kidney disease will develop a condition called uremic halitosis as toxins build up within the body. The uremia can also cause painful ulcers to develop within the mouth.
5. Diabetes mellitus: Untreated or poorly regulated diabetes results in ketone formation in the body. The ketones will cause a sweet smell to your cat’s breath.
6. Allergic skin disease: Cats with allergic skin disease will often over-groom their coat, and this can lead to ulcers in the mouth. They can also develop raised plaques in their mouth due to the oral tissues being exposed to allergens.

Brushing your cat’s teeth at home is recommended to help prevent gingivitis and tartar build-up on the teeth. Owners who routinely brush their cat’s teeth will often notice early signs of dental disease, which can be easily treated by your veterinarian to prevent tooth loss and oral pain.

Any change in the smell of your cat’s breath warrants a trip to your veterinarian for a thorough oral exam.

And with this post, we wrap up our Signs of Illness series! Thanks to all who have followed along; we hope you find this information helpful as you look after your feline friend’s health.

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Looking forward: I recently returned from a continuing education course on feline medicine and will share some pearls of wisdom with you in the upcoming blog posts. Also, we will be starting a “Biggest Loser” weight loss program at the Cat Care Center this month, and I will share tips for staying on track with your kitty’s weight loss resolution. Finally, dental health care months are February and March, so I will keep you posted on dental packages here at Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital.

Sign of Illness #9: Changes in Vocalization

A change in your cat’s meow may be an indication of an underlying illness. Signs may include changes in the tone, pitch, urgency and frequency of your cat’s meow.

• Changes in the tone or pitch may be signs of asthma, upper respiratory tract infections, pneumonia, polyps in the oral or upper airway passages, neurologic diseases, signs of distress, or signs of pain.
• Changes in the urgency of vocalization may be signs of hearing loss, pain, respiratory distress, general distress or heart disease.
  • Diabetic or hyperthyroid cats may have a more urgent meow because they are constantly hungry.
• Changes in the frequency of vocalization may indicate signs of pain, hyperthyroidism, urinary tract disorders, respiratory disorders or gastrointestinal disorders.
  • Certain breeds of cats, like the Siamese, tend to be “talkative” cats. They may be less vocal when they are not feeling well.

I was once told that MEOW is a four-letter word, and it is probably a good thing that our cats are not able to speak to us. While there may be times that our cat’s meow is indeed a way of putting us in our place, there are other times when meow may mean I love you, I care about you, or I need help. Listen closely to your feline friend.

Sign of Illness #8: Behavior Changes or Signs of Stress

Cats with an underlying illness will often display sudden behavior changes or signs of distress. The behavior changes may be secondary to pain, nausea, dehydration or weakness.

Here are some of the most common behavioral changes that are seen in ill cats:

• Inappropriate urination: Urinating or defecating outside the litter box can be a sign of kidney disease, lower urinary tract disease, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism or orthopedic pain.
• Over-grooming: Over-grooming can be a sign of pain, allergic skin disease, anxiety or certain types of cancer.
• Hiding: Ill cats will often hide from their owners in closets or under the bed. They may isolate themselves from other pets in the household. Indoor-only cats may try to escape outdoors.
• Chewing on non-food items: Nausea, anemia, diabetes mellitus or intestinal diseases may cause a cat to ingest foreign material such as litter, dirt, plants, plastic or carpet fibers. This can lead to additional complications such as an intestinal blockage.
• Tail-flicking or altered ear placement: Cats that are in pain may flick their tail or hold their ears flat or farther back than normal. Electrolyte disorders such as low potassium or calcium can cause facial twitching and muscle tremors. Allergic skin disease may also cause tail-flicking or skin tremors.
• Sudden signs of aggression: Pain, neurologic diseases and certain infectious diseases can cause a once docile cat to scratch, bite or lash out at his owners or housemates.

A thorough exam by your veterinarian is indicated if your kitty starts to show any of these behavior changes. It is important to remember that cats will hide their symptoms for as long as possible. Once they start to show recognizable symptoms, they have most likely been ill for at least a few days. The sooner they are examined and treated, the better the outcome will be.

Next week, we’ll discuss changes in vocalization as a subtle sign of illness in cats.

Sign of Illness #7: Changes in Grooming

Cats are fastidious and spend much of their awake hours grooming themselves. Changes in your cat’s grooming habits may indicate an underlying health problem.

Too much grooming?

Excessive grooming may indicate skin irritation. Skin irritation may be caused from food or inhalant allergies, fleas, or dryness of the skin and haircoat. Diseases of the neurologic system, such as diabetic neuropathy or pain from a bulging disc, can cause excessive grooming. Some cats will excessively groom due to stress and anxiety. Studies have shown that rhythmic licking or grooming leads to serotonin release; serotonin is the body’s own natural anti-anxiety hormone.

Not grooming as much as usual?

A decrease in grooming may also indicate an underlying health problem. Many overweight cats cannot reach certain areas to groom and will often develop matts near their tail base. They are also prone to urinary tract infections or anal gland problems as they are not able to clean themselves after urinating or defecating. Older cats will stop grooming because of arthritic pain or dental pain.

What about hairballs?

Many people mistake vomiting hairballs to be a normal behavior for cats. While an occasional hairball is usually nothing to worry about, an increase in hairballs can indicate an underlying skin problem, anxiety disorder, altered digestive motility or pain. Long-haired cats should be brushed daily to help prevent hairball formation.

The good news is that your veterinarian can prescribe medications or weight loss diets to help control the underlying causes of a change in your cat’s grooming habits. The sooner the problem is discovered, the more successful the treatment will be.

Next week, we’ll discuss signs of stress as the next subtle sign of illness in our feline companions.

Litter Box Blues

Do you and your kitty have the litter box blues?

You’re not alone.

House-soiling is one of the most common reasons people abandon or relinquish their cats. Unfortunately, these cats frequently end up in shelters where they often are euthanized.

House-soiling can be a complex problem to solve, but there are ways to prevent, manage and resolve feline house-soiling behaviors.

Your cat does not urinate or defecate outside the litter box due to spite or anger toward you! Instead, it may be because your kitty’s specific physical, social or medical* needs are not being met.

For example, did you know that many commercial litter boxes are too small? Litter boxes should be no less than 1.5 times the length of the cat from the nose to the base of the tail.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners has put together a helpful brochure for us cat guardians:

Feline House-Soiling / Useful Information for Cat Owners (PDF)

I encourage you to take a look … especially if you are struggling with litter box issues with your feline friend. Learn about:

• Four basic causes of house-soiling
• Designing the optimal litter box
• Removing marking triggers
• Meeting the environmental and social needs of your cat

Thanks to the AAFP for this great resource and the above information. Share it with your fellow cat people!

We’ll be back soon with our series on subtle signs of illness in your cat.

*Inappropriate urination was the #1 subtle sign of illness we covered here on the blog.

National Bring Your Cat to the Vet Day

Today is National Bring Your Cat to the Vet Day! As we’ve been discussing on the blog here, in our “subtle signs of illness” series, cats are extremely good at hiding their illnesses, which is why it’s important they see their veterinarian on a regular basis.

In the United States, there are millions more cats as pets than dogs, yet cats visit veterinarians far less frequently than their canine counterparts. Of course, many cats dislike going to the vet, and that often starts with the difficulty of getting your cat into his or her carrier.

Check out this infographic from the American Association of Feline Practitioners for tips on getting your cat into a carrier (click to enlarge):

For more help, view this fun video that Dr. Andy Roark put together, with suggestions for more comfortably transporting your feline friend to the veterinary office (click to view):

And of course you can review the list we put together here: 10 Tips for Less Stressful Trips to the Veterinarian

Sign of Illness #6: Unexplained Weight Loss or Weight Gain

Here’s the truth about weight loss in cats: It’s extremely difficult to get a cat to lose weight!

As gratifying as it is to see weight loss in a previously obese patient, it isn’t often a dramatic change. Even with scheduled, measured feedings, most overweight cats will lose weight very, very slowly. They are masters at slowing their metabolism to compensate for decreased calories. I always get worried when a previously obese patient comes in for his annual exam and has lost several pounds. Dramatic weight loss (or gain) is usually a sign of another underlying problem.

We’ve talked a lot about subtle signs of illness in cats, and there are three diseases that keep coming up as potential causes for each subtle sign:

• Chronic kidney disease
• Hyperthyroidism
• Diabetes mellitus

… or the Feline Trifecta as I like call them.

These are the three most common diseases in middle-aged to geriatric cats, and the most common early finding with any of these three diseases is unexplained weight loss.

Other causes of unexplained weight loss include oral pain, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis and cancer.

For weight gain, the good news is that the number-one cause is the consumption of excess calories, especially calories coming from kibble. We’ll talk more about the ideal diet for cats in the weeks to come, but it is my professional opinion that our cats should be getting most of their calories from canned food.

Rarely, weight gain is seen in cats that are developing fluid accumulation in their chest or abdomen from diseases like FIP, cancer, heart disease or loss of the body’s proteins.

Next week, we will stray a little from our talk about subtle signs of illness in cats. I’m very excited that the American Association of Feline Practitioners has launched new guidelines for diagnosing and solving house-soiling behaviors in cats. This is the number-one reason cats are relinquished to shelters. We’ll talk more about this next week and then continue along our journey of subtle signs of illness in cats over the next several weeks.