The NINE LIVES of Chico Morales
(Page 2 of 6)
Unvaccinated cats are susceptible to an array of
life-threatening viral diseases. Calichi virus and
rhinotracheitis primarily affect the upper respiratory
system, and Chico was probably infected with one or both.
Feline panleukopenia, another viral disease of young cats,
is more devastating, it depletes the white-blood cell
supply while causing the intestines to slough their
protective lining. Most cats don't survive.
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All three of these diseases can be prevented with a single
combination vaccine, given at 10 and 13 weeks of age. The
vaccine gives a mild form of the disease that stimulates a
protective immune response. (See Preventive Health Program
for the Cat )
Chico was the only kitten in the litter that seemed to be
sick, which made me suspect that his immune system was not
at full strength. I obtained a few drops of blood and used
a simple test kit to check for feline leukemia virus and
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). Feline leukemia is
much more common than FIV, and Chico was positive. About
one-third of cats with feline leukemia are able to live
normal, healthy lives, one-third succumb to the disease at
a young age and the remaining third are carriers who may
intermittently become ill.
FIV is the feline corollary for human AIDS/HIV, and is
usually transmitted by bite wounds or from an infected
mother. As with the human counterpart, there is no vaccine
or effective treatment.
All kittens should be tested for feline leukemia virus and
FIV, and negative kittens should be vaccinated for feline
leukemia and as the other three viral diseases. Kittens
that are positive should still be vaccinated for feline
panleukopenia, calichi virus and rhinotracheitis. Any new
cats brought into the household should be tested and
vaccinated for feline leukemia before being exposed to a
feline leukemia positive cat like Chico.
I took Chico back to my clinic for several days of fluids,
antibiotics, and supportive care. For 24 hours things were
touch-and-go, and then Chico improved and never looked
back.
While I was testing and vaccinating the rest of the litter,
I noticed some rice-like particles on the rear end of one
of the females. Tape-worms are common parasites in cats
that eat mice or birds. Although they do not cause serious
disease, tapeworms should be eliminated, which is easily
done with oral medication. Another oral medicine will take
care of roundworms and hookworms. (See Preventive Health
Program for the Cat )
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