Thank You 4/3/14

Thank you for the gifts from our Amazon Wish list!

http://amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/14VUTQST8F5XH

We are sorry we are not able to contact your directly to thank you,

Amazon does not give us any contact information

Thank you Renee Fernandez for the Amazon Gift Card!

Thank you My Joey for the Amazon Gift Card!

Thank you Kaci Lecheler for the huge box 

full of toys, turbo scratchers, tunnels, towels, 

cat cubes, cleaning supplies!

Thank you Debbie & Scott Benish for the blanket!

Thank you Betty Young for the catnip!

Thank you unnamed for the catnip!

Thank you Patricia Liberatori for the food and toy!

Thank you Briana Goldman for the toys!

Thank you Natalie & Keith for the foods!

Thank you Carla Pegoraro for the foods, toy, and tunnel!

Thank you Linda Carden for the brownies!

Thank you Brenda Eberst for the foods!

Thank you for the gifts from our regular wish list!
http://blindcatrescue.com/wishlist.htm

Thank you Nancy for the cat litter!
Thank you Ryan Matesevac for the dry food and freshstep!
Thank you Chandra Van Vleet for the fresh step, 
clavamox, clorox clean up and dry food!
Thank you Bonnie Davis for the freshstep!

We WILL open boxes today after the Noon Tour

Vaccinations for Your Cat

Feline Herpesvirus 1

By Jill Anne Sparapany

Vaccinations can be confusing! We’ve all heard of parents who do not believe in vaccinations for their children. What about your pets? How important is it to have your pets vaccinated? What vaccinations do they need to stay healthy?

First, vaccinations, especially in kittens, are extremely important! Many of the cats at Blind Cat Rescue became blind due to untreated Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) when they were kittens. If they would have been vaccinated, they would not have lost their vision.

Second, vaccinations can prevent premature death in your pet cat should he/she come in contact with an infected cat and, subsequently, become ill themselves.

We will review the vaccinations needed for your pet cat to stay healthy.

Greta when she first arrived, a very sick kitty
She has the herpes virus

Feline vaccinations are divided into two groups: Core Vaccines and Non-Core Vaccines.

Core vaccines are the Herpesvirus 1, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia Virus and Rabies Virus vaccines.

Non-Core vaccines are the optional vaccines for Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Virulent Calicivirus Vaccine, Feline Chlamydia felis Vaccine and Feline Bordetella bronchiseptica Vaccine.

“Other” feline vaccines category includes the Feline Infectious Peritonitis Vaccine (FIP). This is given as an intranasal modified live virus.

Modified live virus vaccines have the target viral agent altered into a form that is incapable of causing severe infection. Sometimes it may be a portion of the viral agent’s structure attached to a weaker pathogenic agent to stimulate an immune response. When the immune system reacts to the weaker pathogenic agent, it also “sees” the attached portion of the viral agent and produces

antibodies to it.

The efficacy of the FIP vaccine remains controversial. The vaccine appears to be safe, but the duration and immunity may be short.

We will limit this series of articles to the core vaccines and the diseases they prevent.

Feline Herpesvirus 1

This is one of the most common causes of URI’s in cats and many cats are exposed at some time in their lifetime. It is also called feline rhinotracheitis virus or feline viral rhinopneumonitis.

Symptoms 

·        sneezing ‘attacks’, nasal congestion

·        discharge from the nose and eyes, conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eylid, lesions in and around the eyes, eye ulcers, squinting

·        fever

·        loss of appetite

·        drooling

·        depression, lethargy

The most common transmission is through contact with the discharge from an infected cat’s eyes, mouth or nose. Cats can also catch this virus by sharing food and water bowls, sharing litter boxes and mutual grooming. An infected pregnant cat can pass the virus on to the kittens in the womb. This virus is highly contagious and is common in shelters, catteries and multi-cat households.

Some cats may be latent carriers, they will not have symptoms but can pass the virus to other cats. Stress can cause the carrier cats to shed the virus and exhibit mild symptoms, which clear up on their own in a few days.

Are all cats susceptible to the herpes virus? Yes, cats of all sizes, ages and breeds are susceptible to feline herpes. Cats in stressful or crowded conditions or cats with weakened immune systems often develop more severe symptoms, as well as kittens, Persians and other flat-faced breeds.

Humans and dogs cannot catch feline herpes and cats cannot catch the human strains of herpes.

Diagnosis is done by the health history, symptoms and physical exam confirming presence of an URI. Lab work may also show an elevated white blood cell count.

Treatment. Once infected, the majority of cats do not get rid of the virus. Symptom flare-ups can be treated with oral antibiotics or antiviral medications. Drops or creams may be prescribed for conjunctivitis or other eye irritations. Most cats will recover with medication, good nutrition and lots of TLC – Tender Loving Care.

Any cat with nasal discharge, loss of appetite or other symptoms should be examined by your vet. There is risk of a secondary bacterial infection requiring antibiotics. Any cat with fever or dehydration should be seen by your vet ASAP.

NOTE: Do not administer any medication, OTC remedies or herbal supplements without the knowledge and consent of your vet. There are risks of drug-drug or drug-herb interactions that can be seriously dangerous or fatal for your pet.

Vaccination Schedule:

Initial vaccination of the kitten between 6-8 weeks of age, followed by booster vaccine in 3-4 weeks and the final booster no sooner than 16 weeks of age. After a booster at one year, revaccination every 3 years is recommended for cats with low exposure risk.

For cats older than 16 weeks of age, two doses of modified live virus given 3-4 weeks apart are recommended.