Hello, again, from Faye the Cat!
My human took me to the vet for my annual checkup, and while in the waiting room, we made friends with a kitten and his human. Both the new kitten and I were scheduled to get our Feline Distemper vaccination. A vaccination is a shot that medical professionals give to prevent disease. We overheard our humans talking about how the Feline Distemper virus is making a comeback and cats who are not properly vaccinated are at risk. While scientists don’t yet understand why the deadly disease is making a comeback, veterinarians encourage all pet owners to vaccinate their cats for Feline Distemper.
The technical term for the disease is the feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) or feline parvovirus. Although humans call it Feline “Distemper,” the disease doesn’t change a cat’s personality, or temperament. The disease is highly contagious, meaning that it spreads from cat to cat quickly. Stray cats are especially at risk. Outdoor cats and cats who come into contact with cats who have not been vaccinated are also at risk. Unfortunately, most cats who catch the disease, do not survive.
The kitten in the vet’s waiting room explained to me that her human had been taking her to the vet for a series of shots over several week. Since I am a full grown cat, I get a booster shot every three years. I have learned that my human takes me for regular vet visits and vaccinations to keep me healthy. The vaccines don’t hurt cats, so I’m not scared. Don’t fear the feline distemper vaccine!
Check your pet’s veterinary records to make sure that they are properly vaccinated.
Sources: