I don't have any experience of Herpes. It's been a quite unusual disease here in Sweden, but it's becoming more and more usual. I wanna know how you who have had or have an ongoing Herpes outbreak in your cattery have handled it. Is it possible to keep affected cats and continue breeding them when they've become healthy (I know they can become chronic carries)?
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Herpes management in a cattery
- Thread starter sol
- Start Date
Hi,
Never really had that problem but I did have one cat who got a green goopy eye shortly after I got him. I don't know if it was herpes but I put him on a very healthy diet (raw meat) and gave him L-Lysine pills every day. I don't give him the L-Lysine anymore but I continue to feed raw. None of the kittens caught it and none of my other cats caught it and he hasn't shown any signs of a goopy eye since either.
Sol, I don't have any personal experience with herpes management in the cattery, but I did find an article that will probably help answer some of your questions. I tend to trust the articles I find on Winn's web site, so I would be comfortable with their advice:
http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/heal...racheitis.html
http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/heal...racheitis.html
I read in a veterinary article (trying to locate it again) that it is estimated that 95% of the worlds cat population are infected with FHV. Many cats never have an outbreak, some have an occasional stress induced outbreak and some have chronic sysmptoms and need to have the disease managed.
I think the best way to look at it, is to just assume all your cats are harboring the virus and to provide the very best diet and environment to keep them healthy at all times. Thereby preventing or minimizing any outbreaks.
Naturally if you find you have a cat that exhibits sysmptoms on a regular basis, you can presume this cat has a compromised immune system and the genes it's carrying shouldn't be passed down to the next generation.
We've been fortunate not to have had any serious problems with this virus. Occasionally a kitten will have what appears to be mild sysmptoms. But quick managment of the situation resolves the problem in a few days.
I also agree with all of Winn Feline's information.
Feline herpesvirus is also called feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR),
and is caused by feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1)
From information I have gathered from vets and other breeders. Herpes tends to be a clear discharge and intermitten sneezing, where Chlamydia tends to be more of a greenish, thick mucous discharge.
From the information I have read, the herpes test is very unreliant, but you can get a PCR test for Chlamydia.
Herpes is also not directly treatable with antibiotics but cats that
have had herpes and have (unfortunately) suffered damage to their nasal
passages as a result, may be very susceptible to bacterial infections,
which CAN be treated with antibiotics (and should be).
Our vet has also mentioned L-lysine, 500 mg's twice a day. There is a new product out called Viralys (spelling ?) it is a lysine supplement especially made for cats. Your vet can order it for you from Visette Solutions, if you would like more information, please feel free to email me.
I also feed raw, and have seen an incredible decrease in URI's.
We have spoken with a few vets about the intranasal vaccines, which some say the bivalent given at around 10 days old, will protect the kitten. If anyone has any experience they can share regarding the Heska Intranasal Bivalent and Trivalent vaccinations, I would love to hear some feedback.
Thanks
Stormi
Feline herpesvirus is also called feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR),
and is caused by feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1)
From information I have gathered from vets and other breeders. Herpes tends to be a clear discharge and intermitten sneezing, where Chlamydia tends to be more of a greenish, thick mucous discharge.
From the information I have read, the herpes test is very unreliant, but you can get a PCR test for Chlamydia.
Herpes is also not directly treatable with antibiotics but cats that
have had herpes and have (unfortunately) suffered damage to their nasal
passages as a result, may be very susceptible to bacterial infections,
which CAN be treated with antibiotics (and should be).
Our vet has also mentioned L-lysine, 500 mg's twice a day. There is a new product out called Viralys (spelling ?) it is a lysine supplement especially made for cats. Your vet can order it for you from Visette Solutions, if you would like more information, please feel free to email me.
I also feed raw, and have seen an incredible decrease in URI's.
We have spoken with a few vets about the intranasal vaccines, which some say the bivalent given at around 10 days old, will protect the kitten. If anyone has any experience they can share regarding the Heska Intranasal Bivalent and Trivalent vaccinations, I would love to hear some feedback.
Thanks
Stormi
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #6
This is basically what I'm doing today, in order to prevent any disease outbreak really. I keep very few cats, I don't take them to cat shows very often and I raw feed them.
How do you all feel about vaccinating? We just recently got a separate FHV/FCV-vaccine here in Sweden, but I'm not sure I like the idea of vaccinating every year. Especially not if the vaccine isn't very effective. Do anyone have any experience of the vaccine, Purevax RC?
There was an article published recently here in the states regarding the new vaccine protocols for dogs and cats - this protocol is endorsed by all 27 vet schools in the US and may help with regard to your questions about yearly innoculations ... I have copied only the section that relates to cats and put into bold print the section which deals with FRV/Herpes. Hope this helps a little.
NEW RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CATS
Feline vaccine related Fibrosarcoma is a type of terminal cancer related in
inflammation caused by rabies & leukemia vaccines. This cancer is thought to
affect 1 in 10,000 cats vaccinated. Vaccines with aluminum adjuvant, an
ingredient included to stimulate the immune system, have been implicated as a higher risk.
We now recommend a non-adjuvanted rabies vaccine for cats. Testing by Dr.
Macy, Colorado State, has shown this vaccine to have the lowest tissue reaction and although there is no guarantee that a vaccine induced sarcoma will not develop, the risk will be much lower than with other vaccines.
Program injectable 6 mo flea prevention for cats has been shown to be very
tissue reactive & therefore has the potential of inducing an injection site
fibrosarcoma. If your cats develops a lump at the site of a vaccination, we
recommend that it be removed ASAP, within 3-12 weeks.
Feline Leukemia Virus Vaccine This virus is the leading viral killer of cats.
The individuals most at risk of infection are young outdoor cats, indoor/outdoor cats and cats exposed to such individuals. Indoor only cats with no exposure to potentially infected cats are unlikely to become infected. All cats should be tested prior to vaccination.
Cats over one year of age are naturally immune to Fel.V whether they are
vaccinated or not, so annual vaccination of adult cats is not necessary.
The incubation period of Feline leukemia can be over 3 years, so if your cat is in the incubation state of the disease prior to vaccination, the vaccine will not prevent the disease.
Feline Panleukopenia Virus Vaccine. Also called feline distemper is a highly
contagious and deadly viral disease of kittens. It's extremely hardy and is
resistant to extremes in temperature and to most available disinfectants.
Although an effective treatment protocol is available, it is expensive to treat.
Because of the serious nature of the disease and the continued presence of virus in the environment, vaccination is highly recommended for all kittens. Cats vaccinated at 6 month or older with either killed or MLV vaccine will produce an immunity good for life. Adult cats do NOT need this vaccine.
"Feline Calicivirus/Herpesvirus Vaccine. Responsible for 80-90% of infectious
feline upper respiratory tract diseases. The currently available injectable
vaccines will minimize the severity of upper respiratory infections, although
none will prevent disease in all situations. Intranasal vaccines are more
effective at preventing the disease entirely. Don't worry about normal sneezing for a couple of days. Because intranasal vaccines produce an immunity of shorter durations, annual vaccination is recommended.
VACCINES NOT RECOMMENDED
Chlamydia or pneumonitis. The vaccine produces on a short (2 month) duration of immunity and accounts for less than 5% of upper respiratory infections in cats. The risks outweigh the benefits.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis. A controversial vaccine. Most kittens that contract FIP become infected during the first 3 months of life. The vaccine is
labeled for use at 16 weeks. All 27 vet schools do not recommend the vaccine.
Bordetella. A new vaccine for feline bordetella has been introduced. Dr.
Wolfe of Texas A&M says that bordetella is a normal flora and does not cause
disease in adult cats. Dr. Lappin of Colorado State says that a review of the
Colorado State medical records reveals not one case diagnosed in 10 years.
NEW RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CATS
Feline vaccine related Fibrosarcoma is a type of terminal cancer related in
inflammation caused by rabies & leukemia vaccines. This cancer is thought to
affect 1 in 10,000 cats vaccinated. Vaccines with aluminum adjuvant, an
ingredient included to stimulate the immune system, have been implicated as a higher risk.
We now recommend a non-adjuvanted rabies vaccine for cats. Testing by Dr.
Macy, Colorado State, has shown this vaccine to have the lowest tissue reaction and although there is no guarantee that a vaccine induced sarcoma will not develop, the risk will be much lower than with other vaccines.
Program injectable 6 mo flea prevention for cats has been shown to be very
tissue reactive & therefore has the potential of inducing an injection site
fibrosarcoma. If your cats develops a lump at the site of a vaccination, we
recommend that it be removed ASAP, within 3-12 weeks.
Feline Leukemia Virus Vaccine This virus is the leading viral killer of cats.
The individuals most at risk of infection are young outdoor cats, indoor/outdoor cats and cats exposed to such individuals. Indoor only cats with no exposure to potentially infected cats are unlikely to become infected. All cats should be tested prior to vaccination.
Cats over one year of age are naturally immune to Fel.V whether they are
vaccinated or not, so annual vaccination of adult cats is not necessary.
The incubation period of Feline leukemia can be over 3 years, so if your cat is in the incubation state of the disease prior to vaccination, the vaccine will not prevent the disease.
Feline Panleukopenia Virus Vaccine. Also called feline distemper is a highly
contagious and deadly viral disease of kittens. It's extremely hardy and is
resistant to extremes in temperature and to most available disinfectants.
Although an effective treatment protocol is available, it is expensive to treat.
Because of the serious nature of the disease and the continued presence of virus in the environment, vaccination is highly recommended for all kittens. Cats vaccinated at 6 month or older with either killed or MLV vaccine will produce an immunity good for life. Adult cats do NOT need this vaccine.
"Feline Calicivirus/Herpesvirus Vaccine. Responsible for 80-90% of infectious
feline upper respiratory tract diseases. The currently available injectable
vaccines will minimize the severity of upper respiratory infections, although
none will prevent disease in all situations. Intranasal vaccines are more
effective at preventing the disease entirely. Don't worry about normal sneezing for a couple of days. Because intranasal vaccines produce an immunity of shorter durations, annual vaccination is recommended.
VACCINES NOT RECOMMENDED
Chlamydia or pneumonitis. The vaccine produces on a short (2 month) duration of immunity and accounts for less than 5% of upper respiratory infections in cats. The risks outweigh the benefits.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis. A controversial vaccine. Most kittens that contract FIP become infected during the first 3 months of life. The vaccine is
labeled for use at 16 weeks. All 27 vet schools do not recommend the vaccine.
Bordetella. A new vaccine for feline bordetella has been introduced. Dr.
Wolfe of Texas A&M says that bordetella is a normal flora and does not cause
disease in adult cats. Dr. Lappin of Colorado State says that a review of the
Colorado State medical records reveals not one case diagnosed in 10 years.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #8
Sol, for FRV, I use the Merial brand injection called 3-in-1 which covers Rhinotraceitis, Calici and Panleukopenia.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #10
There were 4 different vaccines by Merial approved in Sweden this spring. I don't intend do vaccinate against panleukopenia every year so I'm thinking about using Merials vaccine for cat flu only (Purevax RC) for yearly vaccinations, but I haven't decided yet.
