Kittens and cats are at risk from a number of serious infections. However, they can be protected from most of these diseases by a simple vaccination program. As both cats and their owners are very mobile it is likely that your pet will come into contact with infections present in unvaccinated kittens and cats or in the environment. Vaccination is a cost effective way of protecting your cat or kitten against serious disease and the possible high costs involved in their treatment. Kittens and cats can be protected from the following infectious diseases by vaccination:

This is a serious viral disease of cats. It is highly contagious and can spread rapidly. Kittens and young cats under 12 months of age are the most susceptible.

Signs of disease include depression, vomiting, diarrhoea (commonly containing blood), marked dehydration and severe abdominal pain. If queens contract the disease whilst pregnant, the kittens may be born with co-ordination problems or other abnormalities.

The virus is very hardy and survives well in the environment. The small number of cats that do become infected and survive can carry the virus for some time. They can still infect other cats. All cats should be vaccinated.

This disease complex is almost always caused by one of two viruses, calicivirus or rhinotracheitis virus.

These viruses can infect cats of all ages and the disease is very easily spread from cat to cat through coughing or sneezing.

Signs of this disease complex include sneezing, nasal and ocular discharge, limping, depressed appetite and ulcers on the tongue and/or eyes. Some of these signs can last for many weeks and cause significant discomfort.

This disease complex commonly occurs in multi-cat households. It is not uncommon for cats to become carriers after they have recovered from this disease and to infect other cats and, particularly, kittens. All cats should be vaccinated.

This disease is caused by the feline leukaemia virus and can be transmitted by infected cats years after they were initially infected. Approximately one third of infected cats remain infected until they die years later.

These cats can transmit the disease in their saliva, tears, urine and nasal secretions. As with other contagious diseases, this virus can be transmitted by sharing communal feeding areas, litter trays and toys and by mutual grooming.

The disease often leads to a depressed appetite, weight loss, anaemia, vomiting, diarrhoea, reproductive problems and a highly increased risk of developing other infections and tumours. These signs can present years after the initial infection. All cats should be vaccinated.

Vaccines are biological products and they are designed to stimulate the immune system. Therefore it is not unusual for an animal to develop signs of local discomfort or swelling at the site of injection.

Very occasionally particularly sensitive pets may over-react to the vaccine and in these rare instances you should consult your veterinarian immediately. These reactions do not mean that your cat is not being protected by the vaccine. These reactions are very uncommon.

The protection provided by a single course of vaccinations wanes slowly over time and it is advised that you re-vaccinate your cat every 12 months to ensure on-going and strong immunity.

Hookworms	Roundworms	Tapeworms
Hookworms are small worms that burrow into the pet’s intestinal wall and suck blood, causing weakness, anaemia, bloody diarrhoea and death in kittens, or a slower onset of weight loss and weakness. Infection can take place by ingestion of eggs in the soil, through the skin or through the mother’s milk in kittens. The hookworm larvae can penetrate the skin of humans, causing an itchy dermatitis.	Cats become infected with roundworm by swallowing eggs from the environment or by eating infected mice, birds and beetles. Kittens can be infected via their mother’s milk immediately after birth. Adult worms in the intestine are quite long, up to 10cm, and cause blockage as well as reduced appetite. The main sign of ‘wormy’ kittens is failure to grow (ill-thrift), a ‘pot-belly’ appearance and death in severe cases. Humans can accidentally ingest infective eggs from both dog and cat droppings that attach to dirt, bedding and feed bowls. This can cause a serious disease, Visceral Larva Migrants (VLM), especially in children who are in frequent contact with their pets and the soil in backyards. Migrating larvae hatched from the infected eggs cause damage to the liver and occasionally the eyes or nervous system.	Flea tapeworms are a common parasite in dogs and cats and are spread by fleas. Part of the tapeworm’s lifecycle develops in fleas & when a cat eats an infected flea (mostly during grooming) the tapeworm develops in the animal’s intestine. The tapeworm can be up to 50cm long but usually only single segments (containing eggs) are seen in the cat’s faeces or around the tail and anus - like rice grains - causing itchiness and continual licking. Infection is not usually serious and people are rarely infected. Other tapeworms in cats include Taenia taeniaeformis and Spirometra erinacei (Zipper worm) - these may be a problem in outdoor cats that regularly hunt rodents, lizards and other wildlife. Hydatid tapeworms do not occur in cats.

How often do I need to worm my cat?
Regular worming is essential – every 3 months for adult cats. While treatment kills worms present in the intestine at the time, re-infections can occur from other pets and the environment. Once is not enough.

Kittens need to be wormed at 6, 8, and 12 weeks then 3 monthly. Pregnant and lactating queens should be treated prior to mating, ten days before kittening, and two to four weeks after kittening.

When over 6,000 kittens are destroyed each year can anyone justify breeding, many are abandoned or suffer when they go to unsuitable homes. Cats can start breeding at 5 months of age, it is a case of kittens having kittens. Sterilised cats are healthier, live longer and are less of a nuisance to the community.

It is a myth that female cats need a first litter, which is one of the reasons why the much loved cats belonging to animal welfare members never breed. Uncontrolled cats mating at night is a major source of noise complaints to councils.

What are the benefits of having a female cat sterilised?

• Eliminates the noisy calling for a male admirer. Beware, cats continue to come into season until mated or sterilised.
• Reduces the need to leave the home property which puts them in danger of cars, dogs and unfriendly people.
• Reduces the risk of mammary cancer, imminodefiency virus (feline aids) and bites
• Prevents the oversupply of kittens which is a major reason cats and kittens are abandoned

What are the benefits of having a male cat sterilised?

• Free range unsterlised male cats spraying their foul smelling urine on doors and cars to mark their territory is unfair to neighbours
• The health of male cats driven to fight for mating territory are at risk from abscess, leukaemia and feline aids
• Male cats wander far from home for weeks when female cats are in season, they may never find their way home
• Prevents the oversupply of kittens which is a major reason cats and kittens are abandoned

What age do we sterilise cats?
Female cats can be sterilised any time from 4 months of age. Male cats can be sterilised any time from 6 months of age.

What is the procedure?
The cat needs to come to the clinic on the appointed morning being fasted for 12 hours. Admission time is between 8:30 and 9 am.

The surgery will take place under general anaesthesia during the day and your cat will be ready to go home between 4 pm and 7 pm. The cat needs to be kept as quite as possible for the first day after surgery. The stitches need to come out 10 – 14 days after surgery. Complications are rare but you need to keep an eye on the wound and be on the lookout for swelling and infection.

A sterilisation subsidy from the Fremantle City Council is available for both cats and dogs. Conditions apply. For further information regarding the subsidy telephone the Service and Information Counter on 9432 9899.

Many health problems are associated with feeding the wrong diets. Feeding soft diets to cats can lead to serious dental problems as they get older. Most cats will start to show signs of plaque and even tartar build up from as young as 3 years of age.

Too much magnesium and phosphate can lead to urinary crystals developing that can cause life threatening urethral obstructions in male cats. Too much protein and phosphate can put a heavy load on an old cat’s kidneys. All these problems can be solved with feeding the correct diet.

Royal Canin:
Nutrition can help the cat’s body recover faster, stay healthy longer and even help defend against diseases. ROYAL CANIN has a complete line of veterinary diets designed to help minimize clinical symptoms, promote recovery and help prevent disease.

Our approach to treating the disease with therapeutic diets includes addressing the nutritional needs of the cat as a whole. ROYAL CANIN Veterinary Diets deliver high-quality, premium nutrition with exceptional palatability.

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