2007-01-16 13:43:44 · 8 answers · asked by mai k 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
The feline distemper virus is a “parvovirus.” This virus is difficult to remove from the environment and is very lethal. An infected cat will "shed" the virus in its feces, vomit, urine, saliva, and mucus. The virus enters the another cat's body and proceeds to infect rapidly dividing cells. The lymph nodes of the throat are first and from there, over the next 2-7 days, the virus rushes to the bone marrow and intestine. In the bone marrow, the virus suppresses production of the entire white blood cell line, hence the term “panleukopenia” (literally, “all-white-shortage”). As you know, white blood cells are the body's first line of defense against infection. Some cats have been known to survive distemper, but the great majority will die from it.
The vaccine against distemper is usually given to cats after 12 weeks of age. New born kittens usually get some immunity from their mother's milk.
A pregnant cat ust NOT be given the vaccination though becuase cerebellar hypoplasia ("the shakes") can develop in the kittens.
Depending on a vet's protocol, cats are usually vaccinated against distemper every 1-3 years. The vaccination can be given in a nasal form or in an injection (either modified live or killed virus vaccine) given in the right shoulder area. In recent years, many vets and researchers have noted that fibrosarcoma (an aggressive cancer) develop at the injection site in some cats.
There is no connection between the distemper vaccine's effectivity or non-effectivity and the breed of a cat.
2007-01-16 14:16:40 · answer #1 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
cats do not get a distemper shot. The vaccination includes panleukopenia, chlamydia etc. NOT distemper. There are some studies that show some harmful effects of vaccinations in general but you would need to talk to your vet about their protocol and go by that
2007-01-16 15:27:56 · answer #2 · answered by leftygirl_75 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Distemper is somewhat terrible. i will consistently advise getting your cats vaccinations!!!! I even have lost many cats to distemper! they seem effective sooner or later then the subsequent they are lifeless! Very terrible affliction. Any cat I are available in the process ought to have a distemper shot. it is so certainly unfold between cats. additionally you ought to have a lukemia vaccination for cats too. I had to have 2 of my toddlers positioned to sleep because of this affliction. This too is somewhat deadly!!
2016-10-31 07:46:58 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just make sure its a killed virus vaccine. Alot of purebred cats have a compromised immune system from line breeding & being housed with too many other cats & a live virus vaccine can make them sick. It happened with my cornish rex. Since then I've only used killed virus vaccines on him & he has done fine. But definately get them vaccinated. If you don't they could get a chronic upper respiratory problem, and they are miserable with it, and you will quickly tire of cleaning cat snot off of everything you own. And make sure your vet does the vaccinating. OTC vaccines are pure junk. There is a reason they are so cheap. You'll get exactly what you paid for.
2007-01-16 15:20:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure, but if a cat is around others that have access to the outdoors, it can very easily get distemper. So ask your vet.
2007-01-16 13:52:12 · answer #5 · answered by garden_anne 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as far as i know its only dogs that get distemper. cats shuld be vaccinated against flu, leukemia and enteritis ,chlamydia and something else which i cant remember but its normally done in 1 injection here in the uk anyway
2007-01-20 11:47:04 · answer #6 · answered by Miss Karen Roe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not sure, but I can tell you this. If your cat is not vaccinated and it gets distemper, it will probably die.
2007-01-16 13:55:50 · answer #7 · answered by Matt W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It shouldn't be but it is always good to ask your local vet.
2007-01-16 14:06:11 · answer #8 · answered by Kathryn N 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋