Vaccination can prevent the main infectious diseases affecting cats in Western Australia - Cat Flu, Feline Enteritis and Feline Leukaemia.  All of these diseases are potentially fatal to unvaccinated cats whether they are kittens or adults.

Cat Flu (Feline Respiratory Disease)

Cat Flu is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by two viruses, Rhinotracheitis virus and Calicivirus.  There are other infectious agents which can cause similar respiratory symptoms to these viruses although they tend not to be as severe.  Symptoms include sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, runny eyes, loss of appetite and mouth ulcers. Cat Flu is spread in a similar manner to human Flu via aerosolized particles from sneezes or coughs or via contaminated feed bowls etc.

In young kittens Cat Flu can be fatal, but fortunately the death rate is low in adult cats.  However,  the disease is distressing, debilitating and uncomfortable for the affected cat and may persist for up to three weeks.  Recovered cats may continue to carry the viruses and spread the infection to other cats for long periods of time.

Feline Enteritis

Feline Enteritis (or Feline Panleucopaenia) is a very contagious viral disease, with a high death rate especially in kittens under 12 months of age.  Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, depression, severe abdominal pain and dehydration.  Infection in a pregnant female cat may result in abortion or abnormalities in the kittens especially brain damage causing inco-ordination.

Feline Leukaemia

Feline Leukaemia is caused by the Feline Leukaemia Virus and is highly contagious from cat to cat through blood, saliva and sexual fluids.  Even a small volume of saliva carries enough viral particles to cause infection - so licking/grooming, sharing food or water bowls or litter trays may lead to infection.  The virus is also transferred to kittens from their mother before being born. Apart from causing one type of leukaemia, this virus slowly destroys the immune system and can also cause other types of tumours.

As a result of the immune system being destroyed, the cat becomes more susceptible to ordinary infections. Therefore recurrent gingivitis or mouth infections, abscesses and respiratory infections along with weight loss and lethargy are often the first clinical signs.  Unfortunately 80% of cats which are infected with Feline Leukaemia Virus die within 3 years.
There are no anti-viral drugs available to enable veterinarians to treat  any of the above mentioned viral diseases.  The only effective means of protecting your cat is by regular vaccination.