Download Deadly Viruses, New Kittens And Old Cats

35 Sunmills Drive SE
Calgary, Alberta T2X 2W6
Phone: 403.254.9698
Fax: 403.254.9045
www.sundanceanimalhospital.com
DEADLY VIRUSES, NEW KITTENS AND OLD CATS
With the onset of summer and the spring kitten crop weaned many of my clients
are coming in with new kittens. Some of these kittens are moving into homes with an
older feline already in residence. There are some very nasty feline viruses that can be
lurking in the older cat or in the new young kitten and a simple blood test is available to
protect both cats.
Cats are vaccinated for a number of viruses as kittens and through out their lives.
The vaccinations for feline respiratory viruses and feline distemper or panleukopenia
protect against these common viruses that can be transferred from cat to cat through the
air, through a carrier such as a person petting a number of cats, and even in utero (inside
the mother cat). These vaccinations are effective and the diseases are treatable. Rabies is
also effectively prevented with a vaccine. If the unvaccinated cat gets these diseases it
promptly gets sick and we know we need to prevent infection of other cats and treat the
patient.
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) are a
lot more complicated. There is a vaccine for FeLV; there is no vaccine for FIV. A cat
can carry either disease for years infecting other cats without the carrier cat exhibiting
any illness. A family could adopt a kitten carrying the disease and not have the virus
manifest full-blown disease for years, then one day the cat is stressed and suddenly the
virus becomes active. The viruses act like hidden time bombs in the cat. Alternatively, a
cat could acquire the virus, sicken, and die very quickly. There is no truly effective
treatment for either disease. Treatment available is palliative not curative. Usually these
diseases are fatal once active disease is developed although some recently available
treatments may extend a cat’s life. When either disease begins to affect a cat the
symptoms are so variable and so many systems can be affected that diagnosis is
impossible by physical examination alone.
The good news is neither disease can be transferred through the air or by a nonfeline carrier. Two cats must come in direct contact by biting or scratching, or
exchanging fluids in some other manner such as grooming each other. Solitary strictly
indoor cats would not come in contact with these viruses.
Families adopting new kittens or cats and introducing them to current pets may
want to take steps to protect the resident family member. A simple blood test done in
your veterinarian’s office will ensure your new and old felines are both free of FeLV and
FIV. Vaccinations against FeLV should only be done after testing since recent
vaccinations may make the test show a false positive.
Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus are both fortunately fairly
rare in most cat populations. Unfortunately, the seriousness of both these viruses makes
the outcome of a cat catching these viruses usually tragic. Protect your furry feline
family members from each other and test any cats entering a multiple kitty home
environment.
Jennifer L. Scott, D.V.M.
Sundance Animal Hospital