Standard Cat Treatments

Unless you vaccinate your cat give your cat regular boosters, it can quite easily be struck by some very nasty and fatal viruses. If a cat does contract a fatal virus, there is nothing your vet can do apart from try to easy the suffering and hope that your cat will recover.

When a kitten is born, its immune system is boosted by the colostrum in its mother milk. Normal milk that replaces this also contains some antibodies, but to help prevent your kitten from getting any serious infections you should get it inoculated. The first inoculations are given to your cat at 9-12 weeks old; the kitten should be kept in for a week or two, while waiting for the vaccine to work to avoid contracting anything. They then need to be boosted very year. Some cats may not feel too well for a few days after the injection but normally there is no major problems.

There have been huge steps in the prevention and cure of cat ailments over the last 30 years. The diseases that used to be the biggest risk to cats are no longer a problem as long as the cat has regular vaccines.

Recommendations for different vaccines vary in different countries. In the United States in urban areas, owners are advised to keep their cats indoors; both cat flu viruses, feline infectious enteritis and rabies are considered the core vaccines. Chlamydia, feline leukaemia and feline infectious peritonitis vaccines are thought only necessary to cats with out door access. It is best to take your vets advice on these.

The most serious infections are: cat flu, which is two viruses that attack the cats respiratory tract; feline infectious enteritis; Chlamydia; and feline leukaemia virus. If you live in a country where Rabies exists, then you should also add it to the list.

Good vaccines against cat flu and feline enteritis have been around for a few  years. A vaccine to treat the leukaemia virus is a recent addition. In the United Kingdom, where the Rabies virus does not exist, the vaccine can only be given by authorised vets to cats that are going to a country where the virus does exist.

The vet will only inoculate your cat if it is in good health, so if it seems unwell for any reason, do not take it. While getting the annual booster, ask your vet to give your cat a general health check. With luck this will be the only time you have to see the vet.