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Cat info |
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Dogs
are
wonderful companions. It's no wonder we consider them
our best friend. Their love for us is unconditional, and
we regard them as true-blue members of our families. The
least we can do is give them the care they need and
deserve. |
 Why should I visit my
veterinarian?
There is no substitute for regular visits to your
veterinarian to detect disease in its early stages and
to implement vaccination protocols, parasite prevention,
dental hygiene and other programs that safeguard your
pet from costly and sometimes fatal diseases.
Why
is vaccination important?
All dogs are at risk of exposure to various
infectious diseases, some of which are life-threatening.
Others such as rabies also pose a public health risk.
Vaccination to prevent common infectious diseases
supports the first goal of medicine: disease
prevention. Prevention of infectious disease is more
beneficial to your pet than treating disease once it
occurs. In general, viral infections cannot be treated,
but symptoms may be managed by medication. Preventive
vaccination is one of the most reliable and
cost-effective methods of health care available to a pet
owner.
How
does vaccination work?
Vaccines contain killed or modified live
(weakened) forms of viruses or bacteria. They stimulate
production of protective antibodies in healthy animals
that neutralize the virus or bacteria if the animal is
later exposed. Some vaccines contain combinations of
several viruses or bacteria that immunize against
several diseases, minimizing inconvenience to the owner
and discomfort for the pet.
Why do puppies require more frequent vaccinations than
older dogs?
Nursing puppies ingest antibodies from their
mothers. These maternal antibodies provide early
protection against infectious disease. However, they
also neutralize the immunizing agents in vaccines.
Maternal antibodies naturally decline during the first
three to four months of life and eventually disappear.
For this reason, puppies should receive a series of
vaccinations beginning about six weeks of age. This
increases the likelihood of long-term protection from
vaccination as soon as maternal antibody levels have
declined below protective levels.
How often should my dog be vaccinated?
Immunity to most
infectious diseases gradually declines over time, so
periodic revaccination is generally necessary. Frequency
of vaccination is dependent on your dog's lifestyle, age
and risk of disease exposure. Your veterinarian can
determine the appropriate vaccination interval based on
your pet's history and individual circumstances.
What about the potential risks of vaccination?
The benefits of vaccination are usually
considered to far outweigh the relatively small risk of
vaccine-related adverse effects. Allergic reactions to
vaccination and local, injection-site irritation are
uncommon, but they do occur. Your veterinarian can
advise you of the possible risks associated with
vaccination and the steps to take if vaccine-related
reactions occur. |
Common
Infectious Diseases of Dogs
The
following infectious diseases of dogs can be prevented
or lessened by vaccination: |
Rabies
Rabies is a viral
disease that can affect all warm-blooded mammals,
including dogs, cats, wildlife and humans. The virus
infects cells of the nervous system, producing
in coordination and behavioral abnormalities such as
unusual aggression or withdrawal. Once the signs of
rabies appear, the disease if always fatal. Rabies is
usually transmitted by bite wounds, often from infected
wildlife, which represent the largest reservoir of the
disease in the United States. Vaccines are very
effective in preventing rabies. Most states in the U.S.
require rabies vaccination of dogs at one- to three-year
intervals. Many states also require rabies vaccinations
of cats. |
Canine Distemper
Canine distemper is a widespread virus
that causes high mortality in dogs. Exposure is
considered inevitable during a dog's lifetime, so canine
distemper vaccination is almost always recommended.
Puppies and young dogs without immunity are at greatest
risk. Canine distemper virus infects various tissues in
the god's body, producing diarrhea, fever, nasal and
ocular discharge, respiratory disease, appetite loss and
neurologic signs such as muscular spasms and paralysis.
The disease is easily transmitted and often fatal. |
Infectious Canine Hepatitis
Infectious canine hepatitis (ICH), caused
by canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1), is a worldwide
disease of dogs. CAV-1 infects a wide range of tissues,
including the liver (hence the name hepatitis), kidneys,
spleen and lungs. Infected dogs typically develop a
fever and abnormal bleeding, and experience loss of
white blood cells, which are a key component of the
immune system. Opacity of the eye ("blue eye") occurs in
some cases. Death, chronic hepatitis or severe illness
may occur, and recovery may be gradual in nonfatal
cases. CAV-1 is shed in urine and can survive outside
the host for weeks or months. |
Enteritis (Diarrhea, Vomiting)
Dogs are at risk of enteritis (intestinal
disease) caused by two common viruses, canine parvovirus
and canine coronavirus. Canine parvovirus enteritis is
generally considered to be more severe than coronavirus
enteritis. However, parvovirus enteritis may be more
serious if coronavirus is also present. Diarrhea and
vomiting caused by these viruses can range from mild to
severe and are accompanied by depression and loss of
appetite. Unvaccinated puppies and young dogs are most
commonly affected because they usually have not been
previously exposed or vaccinated and are susceptible to
infection. Viral enteritis easily spread because of the
large volume of virus in feces which contaminates the
environment and is readily spread from one animal to
another. Severe cases of viral enteritis can be fatal
due to dehydration and loss of appetite. Puppies are at
greatest risk of death because of their limited body
reserves. |
Canine Respiratory Disease
Infectious
respiratory disease is a troublesome problem in dogs
because it is easily transmitted through the air or by
direct contact, especially in kennels or among dogs
living together. Upper respiratory disease can limit the
dog's activity and progress to pneumonia, which can be
life-threatening. The most common causes of respiratory
infections in dogs include canine adenovirus type 2
(CAV-2), canine parainfluenza virus and Bordetella
bronchi-septica bacteria. CAV-2 is closely related to
CAV-1, the cause of infectious canine hepatitis (ICH).
For this reason, CAV-2 vaccines provide dual protection
against both ICH and respiratory disease caused by
CAV-2. Infectious tracheobronchitis, or ITB ("kennel
cough" or "canine cough"), is a persistent respiratory
disease with a harsh, dry cough, often caused by viral
infection complicated by Bordetella bronchiseptica, the
most common bacteria isolate found in dogs with ITB.
There is a new injectable vaccine available that
eliminates the need to give a sometimes-unpleasant
intranasal vaccine. |
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection
resulting from the contact with the urine of infected
wildlife, or contaminated water or food. Leptospira
bacteria infect the kidneys and liver, causing fever,
anorexia, depression and generalized pain. Several types
of Leptospira bacteria can infect dogs. Your
veterinarian can advise you on which types to vaccinate
against. Leptospirosis can be transmitted to humans by
contact through breaks in the skin or mucous membranes.
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Cats
are
wonderful companions. They give us joy, affection and
unconditional love. It's no wonder we regard them as
special members of our families. The least we can do is
give them the care they need and deserve. |
 Why should I visit my
veterinarian?
There is no substitute for regular visits to your
veterinarian to detect disease in its early stages and
to implement vaccination protocols, parasite prevention,
dental hygiene and other programs that safeguard your
pet from costly and sometimes fatal diseases.
Why
is vaccination important?
All cats are at risk of exposure to various
infectious diseases, even if they spend most of their
time indoors. Some infectious diseases are
life-threatening, while others such as rabies also pose
a public health risk. Vaccination to prevent common
infectious diseases supports the first goal of medicine
- disease prevention. Prevention of infectious disease
is more beneficial to your cat than treating the disease
once it occurs. The animal's natural immune system helps
eliminate viral and bacterial infections. Thus,
preventive vaccination is one of the most reliable and
cost-effective methods of health care available to a pet
owner.
How
does vaccination work?
Vaccines contain killed or modified live
(weakened) forms of viruses or bacteria. They stimulate
production of protective antibodies in healthy animals
that neutralize the virus or bacteria if the animal is
later exposed. Although vaccines provide protection
against infectious disease, they do not treat or cure
existing diseases. Some vaccines contain combinations of
several viruses or bacteria that immunize against
several diseases, minimizing inconvenience to the owner
and discomfort for the pet.
Why do kittens require more frequent vaccinations than
older cats?
Nursing kittens ingest antibodies from their
mothers. These maternal antibodies provide early
protection against infectious disease. However, they
also neutralize the immunizing agents in vaccines.
Maternal antibodies naturally decline during the first
three to four months of life and eventually disappear.
For this reason, kittens vaccinated earlier than 12
weeks of age should be revaccinated after 12 weeks of
age. This increases the likelihood of long-term
protection from vaccination as soon as maternal antibody
levels have declined below protective levels.
How often should my dog be vaccinated?
Immunity to most
infectious diseases gradually declines over time, so
periodic revaccination is generally necessary. Frequency
of vaccination is dependent on your cat's lifestyle, age
and risk of disease exposure. Your veterinarian can
determine the appropriate vaccination interval based on
your pet's history and individual circumstances.
What about the potential risks of vaccination?
The benefits of vaccination are usually
considered to far outweigh the relatively small risk of
vaccine-related adverse effects. Allergic reactions to
vaccination and local, injection-site irritation are
uncommon, but they do occur. On rare occasions, cats may
develop tumors (fibrosarcomas) at the site of any
injection, including vaccination. Your veterinarian can
advise you of the possible risks associated with
vaccination and the steps to take if vaccine-related
reactions occur. |
Common
Infectious Diseases of Cats
The
following infectious diseases of cats can be prevented
or lessened by vaccination: |
Rabies
Rabies is a viral
disease that can affect all warm-blooded mammals,
including cats, dogs, wildlife and humans. The virus
infects cells of the nervous system, producing incoordination and behavioral abnormalities such as
unusual aggression or withdrawal. Once the signs of
rabies appear, the disease if always fatal. Rabies is
usually transmitted by bite wounds, often from infected
wildlife, which represent the largest reservoir of the
disease in the United States. Vaccines are very
effective in preventing rabies. Many states also require rabies vaccinations
of cats. Most states in the U.S. require rabies
vaccination of dogs at one- to three-year intervals. |
Feline Panleukopenia
Also known as feline distemper, feline
panleukopenia is a highly contagious, often fatal
disease of cats. The disease is caused by a parvovirus
transmitted by contact with infected cats their feces or
environmental contamination. The virus is highly
resistant and capable of surviving in the environment
for months. Kittens without prior vaccination or
exposure are most susceptible. Signs of acute infection
include fever, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration
and abdominal pain. |
Feline Respiratory Disease
The great majority of
feline respiratory diseases result from two easily
transmitted infections, feline viral rhinotracheitis
(FVR), caused by a herpesvirus, and feline calicivirus
(FCV), pronounced (kah-LEE-see virus). FVR and FCV
infections result in similar illnesses, characterized by
nasal and ocular discharge, conjunctivitis, ulcers of
the oral cavity, anorexia, depression and inflammation
of the upper respiratory tract. Cats usually recover in
one to two weeks, although cats with FVR can become
persistently infected after returning to normal,
shedding the virus during periods of stress. FVR can
result in abortion of infected fetuses. Kittens are at
greatest risk of FVR and FCV because they usually have
had no prior vaccination or exposure and are highly
susceptible to infection. Chlamydia psittaci
)klah-MID-ee-ah SIT-ah-kye) bacteria are a less common
cause of feline respiratory disease but can increase the
severity of FVR or FCV infections. Vaccines are
available for FVR, FCV and Chlamydia psittaci. |
Feline Leukemia
Feline leukemia is a
high-mortality disease caused by the feline leukemia
virus (FeLV). FeLV produces immunosuppression, which can
then lead to other diseases or infections such as
respiratory or gastro-intestinal disease. Cats that
survive these initial diseases may develop some form of
cancer, hence the name feline leukemia. The disease is
transmitted by direct contact with infected cats or with
contaminated food dishes or litter boxes. Feline
leukemia vaccination is now commonplace. |
Feline Infectious Peritonitis
(FIP)
Feline infectious peritonitis begins as a
mild upper respiratory infection or diarrhea that can
progress to a widely distributed inflammation of tissues
and organs, including peritonitis (inflammation of the
abdominal cavity). Although not always present, a
classic sign of FIP is abdominal swelling with fluid as
a result of inflammation. FIP is caused by a coronavirus
that is transmitted by contact with infected cats. Once
signs of FIP appear, death loss approaches 100 percent.
Cats two years of age and younger and elderly cats are
most often affected. |
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
(FIV)
FIV attacks a cat's immune system,
producing a slow-developing immunodeficiency disease
(like HIV in humans) that results in chronic secondary
and opportunistic infections. These include respiratory,
gastrointestinal, urinary tract and skin infections, as
well as general unthriftiness. Various cancers may also
develop. FIV infection is lifelong. However, FIV disease
is relatively uncommon, and most cats remain normal for
extended periods until immunodeficiency occurs. FIV
cannot be transmitted by affected cats to humans.
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Vaccination
is the key to protecting your pet against disease. Visit
your veterinarian regularly to keep your pet's
vaccinations up-to-date, and for routine physical
examinations that can help detect potential health
problems early. These preventive measures will help
ensure the best quality of life for your feline
companion - your friend for life!!! |
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The above
information is compliments of Pfizer Animal Health.
www.pfizerah.com
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Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: 8:15 a.m. to 5:00
p.m., Thursday 8:15 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. |
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