Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Bordetella does not seem to cause disease in many pet cats.The highest
incidences of Bordetella are in purebred catteries and in animal shelters.
Pet cats do not appear to be at a high risk for infection.
In addition, the AAFP report states that the efficacy of this vaccine
has not been independently evaluated, and how often to revaccinate has
not yet been determined. Routine vaccination is not recommended,
but it is reasonable to consider vaccinating cats in environments where
the infection is present. Discuss this vaccine with your veterinarian.
Ringworm
A vaccine for
Microsporum canis
, one of the fungi that causes ringworm
(also known as dermatophytosis) is available.
M. canis
can affect both cats
and humans, but generally infections are limited to skin rashes.Although
ringworm is a somewhat common infection, most veterinarians feel that
the vaccine is not needed as a preventive. In addition, the AAFP report
states that vaccination has not been demonstrated to prevent infection or
to eliminate the disease-causing organisms from infected cats.
A complete ringworm treatment program aimed at preventing and
eliminating the fungus can involve oral and topical treatment of the cat
and household premise treatment. The vaccine is probably most useful
as an addition to this program, when infections linger despite aggressive
measures.
While the vaccine may decrease the visible lesions on the cat's skin
caused by the fungus, it does not necessarily make a cat less contagious
to others.The duration of immunity conferred by the vaccine is ques-
tionable as well.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
This virus suppresses a cat's immune system and makes him more sus-
ceptible to infections. Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is most
often transmitted between cats through biting. Stray, intact male cats
who fight are the most common carriers. Casual, nonaggressive contact
is unlikely to spread infection.There is no cure for the virus, and most
infected cats live for years without showing any clinical signs.When cats
do become sick, it is due to the secondary infections their immune sys-
tems can no longer fight off.
A vaccine to protect against FIV became available in the fall of
2002, but unfortunately it is not an ideal vaccine and at this time it is
not recommended for routine use.Vaccinated cats will test positive on
routine screening tests for FIV, thus making it impossible to distinguish
