Vaccinations and Operations for Cats

[Cat]

Four serious infectious diseases that can be vaccinated against threaten your cat throughout its life. They are:

1.Feline Parvo Virus (Also called panleucopaenia or viral infectious enteritis)

2.Feline Calici Virus (One of the serious causes of “cat flu”)

3.Feline Rhinotracheitis Virus (The other important flu virus)

4.Feline Leukaemia Virus (Felv)

Feline infectious viral enteritis is increasingly rare but because of this there is very little natural immunity in the cat population and infection with the virus is usually fatal. Cat flu occurs commonly and regular protection is sensible and safe. All reputable catteries will require your cat to be vaccinated against flu and enteritis before admission. These first three viruses are routinely included in cat vaccination courses and the vaccine has the brand name of ‘Tricat’.

Feline Leukaemia cases are on the increase; control and diagnosis of the disease is made more difficult by the fact that cats can be symptomless carriers of the virus for weeks, months or even years. During the first few weeks after birth, a kitten is usually protected by antibodies received from its mother’s first milk. This protection, however, wears off quite soon and when it has disappeared, kittens may fall victim to any of these diseases for which there is no certainty of successful treatment. A particularly distressing feature of some of these illnesses is that damage can often be caused to kittens which may not become apparent until later in life. Prevention by vaccination is therefore all the more important and should be started in kitten-hood and maintained by annual booster doses throughout the animal’s life.

Immunity following the first vaccination course does not last for life. Annual re-vaccination is vital

When you bring your cat into be vaccinated we will give it a health check before giving it the innoculation. We will send you an annual booster reminder card to let you know when your cat’s next vaccination is due.

Vaccination courses are normally started at nine weeks of age with the second dose at twelve weeks. The cost of this primary vaccination course is:- £36.70 this includes VAT. To vaccinate your kitten against all four diseases costs £55.00 or to vaccinate, identichip and worm costs £69.90.

Your cat will require an annual booster vaccination to keep up the protection – these boosters cost £26.20 for the “Tricat” and £35.20 for Tricat and Felv.

CAT CASTRATION

Castration is the removal of the testes, performed to prevent breeding, roaming, spraying and sometimes to treat excessive sex drive or inter-male aggression. This can be done from 6 months of age.

Price of cat castration is £31.50 including VAT.

CAT SPAY

Spaying is the removal of the ovaries and uterus. As well as rendering pregnancy impossible, it will prevent oestrus (calling), the unwelcome attention of tom cats and infections of the uterus. Queen cats are normally spayed at 5 to 6 months old.

Price of cat spay is £49.50 including VAT. Sometimes cats are already pregnant when spayed under these circumstances the fee is slightly higher.

Please feel free to phone and discuss the neutering of your pet. The prices quoted are correct at January 2008, and inclusive of VAT and suture removal.

More information on vaccinating your cat can be found at www.future-of-vaccination.co.uk.