Feline Panleucopenia (also called Feline distemper or Feline Infectious Enteritis)

• Before the development of a safe vaccine, Feline Panleucopenia was one of the biggest causes of death in cats. It is particularly dangerous for kittens and young cats, when severe vomiting and diarrhoea can cause fatal dehydration within 2-3 days of symptoms starting. The virus is spread in infected faeces (droppings) and it can survive for long periods in the environment.
  

Cat Flu (also called Feline viral rhinotracheitis, caused by Feline calicivirus and herpesvirus)

• Nearly all cases of respiratory disease in cats are caused by one of two viruses; herpesvirus and calicivirus. Cat Flu is only rarely fatal except in very young or old cats and those which are already ill with some other disease. The effects are the same as in human flu - sneezing, a runny nose and eyes - but mouth ulcers may also occur. Once infected a cat may carry the virus for a long time and pose a risk to any unvaccinated cat it meets. Cats carrying the virus may not have any symptoms or may have mouth ulcers or 'snotty noses' which never get better. The protection given by vaccination may be short-lived and sometimes your cat may need to be vaccinated at six month intervals.

Feline Leukaemia (FeLV)

• Feline Leukaemia is probably the most important viral disease in cats. Not all cats that are infected with the virus get the disease. But, in those that do, it is almost always fatal and treatment can only prolong the cat's life. The disease destroys the cat's defences against other diseases and may cause fatal cancers. The virus is spread by direct contact with other cats. So any cat that goes outside or mixes with other cats is at risk.

Chlamydia

• Chlamydia is a disease which causes painful inflammation (conjunctivitis), ulcers and discharge from the eyes. It may cause infertility in some female cats. Young kittens with the disease may have sore or runny eyes from a few weeks old. It is mainly a problem where large numbers of cats live together and once a cattery is affected, the disease often keeps coming back. Cats living on their own are at low risk of catching the disease. This disease can be treated with a long course of antibiotics.

Rabies

• Vaccination against Rabies is compulsory in many countries because of the risk of passing this horrible fatal disease to humans. Vaccination is unnecessary for cats in those countries which are free of rabies - the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Japan - except in those animals which are going to be exported abroad. Cats in the UK may now be vaccinated against rabies for travel to some European countries and can return to the UK with waiver of the 6 month quarantine period under certain prescribed conditions. Contact your vet for details if you plan to travel abroad with your cat.