RCP-  This is a combination shot of three vaccines that include Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia, all of which are feline specific viruses.  Rhinotracheitis is a herpes virus that affects the upper respiratory area.  Some clinical signs include sneezing, nose and eye inflammation and could eventually lead to mouth ulcers and pneumonia if left untreated.  Herpes viruses attach to the nerve endings in the body are chronic problems in that, they stay in the body forever and flare up continuously.    Calicivirus, like Rhinotracheitis, affects the upper respiratory area.  Some of the symptoms include eye and nasal discharge, loss of appetite, mouth ulcers and can also lead to pneumonia if left untreated.  Finally, Panleukopenia, also called Feline Distemper or Feline Parvovirus,  is a highly fatal disease that affects the feline intestinal tract.  Some symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting and are a result of a lack of white blood cells in the body.

Kittens who do not receive the proper vaccinations are highly susceptible to these viruses.  The kitten vaccination series is very similar to that of the puppy vaccination.  This RCP shot needs to be first given at 6-8 weeks of age (this is usually the time when the kitten weans off of its mother) and should be given every three weeks until the kitten is 16 weeks old.  This time frame has been regarded as the critical window for your kitten to develop its own active immunity.  Up until that point, kittens receive passive immunity from the mother's milk.  Ideally, your kitten should receive four RCP booster shots between the ages of 6-16 weeks to help build its antibody levels for the resistance of these viruses.  Following its final RCP shot at 16 weeks, your kitten should receive its first adult RCP vaccination one year later.  Finally, after this first adult shot, we recommend vaccinating your cat every three years for RCP

Rabies:  In addition to the RCP shot, your cat is required by state law to receive a Rabies vaccination.  Rabies is a fatal disease of the muscles and brain transmitted through bite wounds of infected animals.  In Indiana, the most common carriers and transmitters of Rabies are bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes.  We usually administer this vaccination on your kitten's last office visit at or around the age of 16 weeks.  Rabies vaccination protocol is controlled by each individual state and varies from state to state.  Currently, Indiana law states that the type of vaccination used by the veterinarian will determine how long the vaccination will be given and can be anywhere between 1-3 years.  However, recent studies have shown that certain rabies vaccines have been known to cause sarcomas in cats at the injection site.  Ask your veterinarian about rabies vaccines designed to prevent theses tumors.  Rabies is a serious almost always fatal disease transmittable to all land mammals, including humans.

Feline Heartworm Disease-  Feline heartworm disease is the exact same disease in which canines are afflicted.  Although heartworm disease and cats have not been linked together historically, and even though there is no good test to diagnose heartworm disease in cats, it is still a large cause of death among many cats.  For that reason, we at Jefferson Road Animal Hospital follow the recommendation of the American Heartworm Society which is to give your pet a monthly preventative June through November, which is effective for preventing the disease. 

Feline Leukemia/Feline Immunodeficiency Virus-  Feline Leukemia/FIV infections are major causes of illness and death in cats.  FeLV and FIV affect cats in similar ways, primarily by interfering with the immune system's ability to fight off infections.  Both viruses are spread contagiously from cat to cat; Feline Leukemia is usually spread when the saliva or urine of an infected cat comes into contact with another cat (grooming each other, fighting, and sharing bowls and litter boxes); and FIV is usually spread when one cat bites another.  Kittens born to infected mothers can be infected as well.  Vaccinations are available to prevent the diseases, but there is no cure.

Which cats/kittens should be tested?

  -New cats or kittens with an unknown background (strays, pet shop, adoptions from humane society).

  -Cats with a history of cat fights, or wounds from fights.

  -Cats that are not spayed or neutered and have been free to roam.

How often should my cat be tested?

   -When your new cat is first introduced into the household.

   -Six months following a suspected exposure.

   -Additional testing throughout its life at your veterinarian's recommendations.

  Should my cat be vaccinated?

  Yes, if your cat goes outside, or has any chance of being infected by another cat. 

  No, if your cat is indoors at all times and not exposed to any other cats.

Intestinal Parasites-  Intestinal Parasites, as the name suggests, are worms that live in the intestines of dogs and cats.  The most common intestinal parasites are Roundworms, Tapeworms, Hookworms, and Whipworms.  Adult worms live in the intestinal tract and shed their eggs in the stool of your pet.  In some cases, the adult worms are excreted in the stool as well.  These eggs are then ingested by other  cats and dogs when they come into contact with them .  They can even be transmitted to humans.  Some of the eggs have been shown to live in yards for up to 20 years.  Transmission of worms can be prevented by picking up your pet's stool  in the yard every day.  In addition, many of the heartworm preventatives have some type of intestinal worm control too.  We recommend having your pet's stool checked for intestinal parasites once every six months.

The following is a summary of our canine vaccination recommendations:

 DHPP:    This is a combination shot of four different vaccines that includes Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus, all of which are canine specific viruses.  Distemper is a respiratory disease which can also affect the central nervous system.  If left untreated, Distemper could also lead to Encephalitis, Epilepsy, and Chorea. Hepatitis is a systemic infection of the liver and could be fatal.  Parainfluenza, like Distemper, is a respiratory infection and consists of symptoms such as nasal discharge and a harsh cough.  Finally, Parvovirus is the most serious of the four and affects the intestinal tract which results in severe vomiting and diarrhea.  Parvovirus is extremely contagious and very deadly, but can be easily prevented with the proper vaccinations.

Puppies who do not receive the proper vaccinations are highly susceptible to these viruses.  This DHPP shot needs to be first given at 6-8 weeks of age (this is usually the time when the puppy weans off of its mother) and should be given every three weeks until the puppy is 16 weeks old.  This time frame has been regarded as the critical window for your puppy to develop its own active immunity.  Up until that point, puppies receive passive immunity from the mother's milk.  Ideally, your puppy should receive four DHPP booster shots between the ages of 6-16 weeks to help build its antibody levels for the resistance of these viruses.  Following its final DHPP shot at 16 weeks, your puppy should receive its first adult DHPP vaccination one year later.  Finally, after this first adult shot, we recommend vaccinating your dog every three years for DHPP.

 Rabies:   In addition to the DHPP shot, your puppy is required by state law to receive a Rabies vaccination.  Rabies is a fatal disease of the muscles and brain transmitted through bite wounds of infected animals.  In Indiana, the most common carriers and transmitters of Rabies are bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes.  We usually administer this vaccination on your puppy's last office visit at or around the age of 16 weeks.  Rabies vaccination protocol is controlled by each individual state and varies from state to state.  Currently, Indiana requires that the Rabies vaccination be administered by a licensed veterinarian and can last 1-3 years depending on the vaccine used by the veterinarian.  Puppies and dogs with no previous history of a Rabies vaccine need to be vaccinated once followed one year later by a second rabies booster shot.  Rabies is a serious almost always fatal disease transmittable to all land mammals, including humans.

 Canine Cough:  (Infectious trachea-bronchitis) Is an infection of trachea and bronchi and is made up of one or more of: Bordetella bacteria, parainfluenza virus, and adenovirus virus type 2.  It is a highly transmitted infection spread much like the common cold and is prevalent in kennels.  Clinical signs include a continual gagging cough, swelling in neck, fever which, if left untreated, could lead to pneumonia.  We recommend annual vaccination for canine cough for any dog who will be kenneled, groomed, or hospitalized for any length of time.

Canine Heartworm Disease-  Canine heartworm disease [also called dirofilariasis (dir-oh-filla-RYE-uh-sis)] is a serious and potentially fatal disease and is considered to be the number one infectious health threat among canines.   Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes but can only be transmitted during warm weather.  Large white worms, ranging in length from six to fourteen inches, migrate into the right side of a dog's heart and adjacent blood vessels.  The worms cause congestion and backup in the flow of blood and can eventually lead to death.  Heartworm disease is treatable if diagnosed in time, but can be very expensive.  The disease is easily prevented using any one of a number of heartworm preventatives available from veterinarians.  We currently abide by the recommendations of the American Heartworm Society stating that every dog should be tested annually along with a monthly preventative June through November.

Intestinal Parasites-  Intestinal Parasites, as the name suggests, are worms that live in the intestines of dogs and cats.  The most common intestinal parasites are Roundworms, Tapeworms, Hookworms, and Whipworms.  Adult worms live in the intestinal tract and shed their eggs in the stool of your pet.  In some cases, the adult worms are excreted in the stool as well.  These eggs are then ingested by other  cats and dogs when they come into contact with them .  They can even be transmitted to humans.  Some of the eggs have been shown to live in yards for up to 20 years.  Transmission of worms can be prevented by picking up your pet's stool  in the yard every day.  In addition, many of the heartworm preventatives have some type of intestinal worm control too.  We recommend having your pet's stool checked for intestinal parasites once every six months.