With the majority of cats in the UK adequately vaccinated against the major infectious diseases, these diseases remain relatively uncommon. But insufficient immunity not only puts your own cat at risk, but also the other cats in your area and even the wild cat population as a whole.
All cats are susceptible to - and must be immunised against - the 'big three' diseases:
- Feline Infectious Enteritis (FIE), an often-fatal infection of the intestines, causing loss of appetite, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea.
- Feline Calcivirus (FCV), a severe virus causing ulcers.
- Feline Rhinotracheitis (FVR), which causes flu-like symptoms.
These vaccinations together are commonly referred to as 'flu and enteritis'.
Vaccination is also recommended against the Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV), which affects the immune system and is usually fatal. Some areas of the country have a much higher incidence of FeLV in the local cat population than others, but vets will generally advise you to give your cat the vaccination wherever you live.
Vaccinations start at nine weeks, with a second vaccine follow up three to four weeks later. Thereafter yearly booster injections are necessary to ensure continuing immunity.
For more in-depth information about these diseases and how they affect cats visit www.fabcats.org.