Some cat owners might be surprised to find that their cat, whether indoor or outdoor, is susceptible to upper respiratory diseases, just like humans are. Not only are cats able to contract certain infections, but being in close quarters with other cats can exacerbate this type of health issue.
Keep reading to learn about FVRCP and why it is essential to prevent your cat from unneeded suffering.
What Does The FVRCP Vaccine Prevent?
The FVRCP vaccine is an effective inoculation cocktail that helps prevent your cat from contracting three life-threatening feline diseases. All three illnesses are highly contagious and can cause painful and adverse symptoms in your cat. These diseases include:
- Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis
- Feline Calicivirus
- Feline Panleukopenia
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, or FHV-1, can cause a loss of appetite, severe weight loss, and sores. Even when your cat recovers from the virus, it lays dormant in your cat and can flare up repeatedly throughout their life.
Feline Calicivirus is a major cause of upper respiratory infections and oral diseases in cats. Not only do cats experience sneezing, eye inflammation, and congestion, but some also develop painful ulcers. Extreme lethargy is also one of the symptoms of Calicivirus. Some strands of the virus can cause joint pain, which exacerbates symptoms of arthritis in older cats.
Feline Panleukopenia is a common yet severe virus that can cause permanent damage to your cat’s bone marrow and the cells lining the intestines. Cats diagnosed with Feline Panleukopenia will frequently develop secondary infections due to a weakened immune system. Unfortunately, there are no medications to kill this virus, so treatment requires intravenous fluid therapy.
Where Is the FVRCP Vaccine Required?
Unlike many other vaccines, like the rabies shot, the FVRCP vaccine isn’t required by law in some places. Certain facilities might require the vaccination depending on your local guidelines, whereas others might not.
To board at Kennel Club LAX, we require cats to have the FVRCP vaccine for the safety of all pets. Interestingly, however, it is always considered a “core vaccine.” Many vets recommend FVCRP for indoor and outdoor cats to ensure your pet won’t catch or spread easily-preventable diseases, regardless of your location.
When Should My Cat Be Vaccinated?
For your cat to be as protected against the relevant diseases, vets recommend that kittens receive their first vaccination at about 6 to 8 weeks old. Be sure to schedule booster shots before you leave the vet, so you don’t forget to make the next appointment. Finishing the sequence is vital to their protection.
Your cat will need a series of booster shots every three to four weeks until they’re between 16 and 20 weeks old. Then, one shot will be given at a year old to complete the initial sequence. After that, a booster is needed once every three years.
Why Should My Cat Be Vaccinated?
One vital reason to vaccinate your cat is the longevity of the illnesses. If your cat is diagnosed with any of these diseases, he or she becomes a carrier for life. They are likely to experience flare-ups at times of significant stress during their lifetime. Cats often experience an uptick in symptoms when they are introduced to an unfamiliar environment, such as boarding or introducing a new animal into the family.
How Do Infections Spread?
One might assume that cats can only be infected with these viruses through contact with another cat. If your cat lives alone, away from other cats, they should be fine, right? No, unfortunately, that is not the case.
All of the viruses are highly contagious. Even without outside contact with another cat, your cat can be affected. These viruses can also be spread through the environment you interact with. Without proper vaccination, your cat can be at risk of severe illness without even leaving the confines of the house. Anything that comes into contact with a cat who has any illnesses is a dangerous item, particularly if any fluid is transferred during the interaction.
- Clothing
- Bedding
- Shoes
- Sports equipment
- Purses
- Backpacks
- Blankets
What Symptoms Should I Look For?
Symptoms of respiratory diseases in cats are very similar to infections in humans. They will experience the cold-like symptoms you are familiar with when you get sick.
If you’re worried about your pet, follow up with your vet to ensure your cat isn’t carrying a preventable illness and ensure they’re receiving proper care and medication if so. Look for:
- Sneezing
- Congestion
- Swollen eyes
- Goopy eyes
- Lethargy
- Fevers
- Drainage
- Abnormal breathing patterns
How Does Kennel Club LAX Prevent Infection?
At Kennel Club LAX, to protect the health and safety of all the pets staying with us, we require all cats to receive the FVRCP vaccines. Our policies and procedures are an important part of ensuring you and your cat have a happy and healthy visit.
In addition to vaccine requirements, there are other ways that we work diligently to ensure that your cat is protected against illness:
- First, we invest in state-of-the-art air filtration to ensure the air is clean, circulating freely without debris, and diseases aren’t spreading.
- Second, frequently clean and disinfect all bedding and bowls to prevent any potential viruses from spreading from cat to cat between stays.
- Third, we make sure cats are boarded separately. Unlike dogs, which can be boarded together, we ensure that cats are boarded separately to prevent further disease risks and keep your cat comfortable, happy, and healthy.
Staying With Us?
If you’re searching for boarding for your cat and only the best luxury accommodations will do, reach out to us here today to reserve your cat’s spot. We want to make your cat’s stay with us as stress-free and comfortable as possible, and ensuring your cat is healthy and up-to-date on vaccinations is a crucial way to make that happen.
