There are so many things that can affect the health of our cats. Of course we naturally give our kittens their shots, but how many of us know what those shots are for or anything at all about the feline diseases they treat? What about all the other diseases, often fatal, that there are new vaccines for? Are they safe? Are they effective?
Being an informed kitty parent might very well keep your cat from contacting any of the terrible feline diseases in the first place, but if your cat does come down with one of these diseases, knowledge is most definitely power! Feline PKD, Feline AIDS, and FIP are all incurable diseases, but being well informed can help you catch the signs and symptoms of a disease early and possibly prolong your kitty’s life or at least make them more comfortable in their passing.
It’s always a terrible thing to thing of losing our beloved friend. It’s especially hard when you know that a disease could have been avoided. Feline AIDS, for example, is most often spread by outdoor, un-neutered male cats that are fighting over territory or females. Simply keeping your cat indoors or having him neutered will keep him from being injured and tremendously lessen the chances that he will come into contact with Feline AIDS.
Feline PKD is a genetic disease that can be completely eliminated if breeders test their breeding stock and only breed PKD negative cats. The coronavirus that mutates into FIP can be killed by most household disinfectants. That, along with a little extra safety when handling and raising young kittens goes a long way toward preventing the spread of this disease.
These articles will help you better understand some of the diseases that threaten our feline friends:
- Feline PKD - Polycystic Kidney Disease is a hereditary disease that can be prevented by testing breeding stock in Persians, Exotics, American Curls, American Shorthairs, Siamese and Scottish Folds. There is no cure, so if you are purchasing one of these breeds, make sure your breeder has DNA tested their breeding stock.
- Feline AIDS - Feline Immunodeficiency Virus is similar to the human form of this disease but is not an automatic death sentence for your cat. There is also no cure for this disease, but there is a vaccine for cats that are at high risk.
- FIP - Feline Infectious Peritonitis is another deadly disease. It can take your cat in less than a year or in as little as two months time. There is no cure for this disease, and the vaccine is questionable.
If you have any questions or comments or experiences with any of the vaccines, we’d love to hear from you in the discussion area. Being informed, should your cat develop any of these diseases, might prolong or enhance your cat’s quality of life.
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