Regular vaccination is an important part of routine health care for your cat and dog and helps to ensure your furry friends remain fit and well. Many serious and life-threatening diseases can be prevented by vaccination.
As soon as you take your precious friend home it is wise to make an appointment with Townsville Vet Clinic to have a check up. While our professional, friendly Vets are giving your friend a check up they will be able to advise you of your pet’s vaccination needs.
In Australia, there are a number of vaccines that are currently available for use in cats to protect against the following diseases:-
Feline Respiratory Virus
Disease is caused by feline herpes virus or feline calicivirus and is commonly termed ‘cat flu’. It is a common disease in unvaccinated cats and can cause long-term problems, including chronic sneezing, nasal discharge, inflamed eyes and severe gum problems.
Feline Panleukopenia
This is now an uncommon disease that causes a severe and often fatal gastro-enteritis. Vaccination provides a high level of long lasting protection.
Feline Chlamydia
This tends to be a particular problem in colony cats. Chlamydial infection causes a painful inflammation and swelling of the conjunctiva (the membrane around the eye) and has been associated with infertility in queens. This vaccine can make many cats sick for several weeks and only suggest vaccination in certain circumstances.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (Feline AIDS)
All outdoor cats are susceptible to infection with FIV if bitten by an infected cat unless protected by vaccination against the virus. The initial vaccination is followed up by 2 more vaccinations 2-4 weeks apart and then with annual boosters. FIV vaccines can be given at the same time as regular F3 vaccinations.
What do you need to vaccinate your puppy / dog against?
Parvovirus – a highly contagious viral gastroenteritis. Depression, loss of appetite, severe vomiting and diarrhoea containing blood are some of the symptoms. Death can occur very quickly.
Distemper – a highly contagious disease producing symptoms such as conjunctivitis, nasal discharge, convulsive seizures and spinal cord damage. Treatment is often ineffective.
Hepatitis – in puppies can cause sudden death, whilst adult dogs can experience, weakness, fever, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and bleeding.
Canine Cough – a complex disease caused by bacterium and a virus. Affected dogs will have a hacking cough persisting for weeks. In puppies and old dogs the disease can be devastating.
So when you get your next reminder, don’t put it off.
