Bengal Health

Your kitten will come to you having received, at 8 and 12 weeks of age (these are approximate and you will receive their exact vaccination dates) their combination 3-in-one FVRCP vaccination. This vaccination isn’t so much about how many they get, it is more about the timing. Mothers milk will often render the vaccine useless. So even though they have received two vaccines already, your veterinarian may recommend that they receive another dose at their 16 week appointment. At this appointment it is also recommended that you get your kitten their first rabies vaccination. 

Is a bacterium that can cause upper respiratory disease in cats. Cats infected can spread the bacteria through saliva and nasal secretions. It is a problem mostly for cats that are kept in large groups such as shelters. The bacteria can live for weeks outside the body. An infected cat can be treated with antibacterial medications but some strains are resistant to certain antibiotics. There is a vaccination for Bordetella Bronchiseptica that can be administered through droplets in the nose but it is not recommended.

Is a bacterium that invades and infects the conjunctiva causing inflammation and discharge. It is the leading cause of conjunctivitis in cats but can also be found in the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, and reproductive tract. Direct contact from ocular secretions is required to pass the bacteria to other cats. The bacteria are not known to survive in the environment. It is treatable by antibiotics. There is a vaccine, but it is not recommended in most cases and does not prevent future infection.

(Included in the FVRCP vaccine and is represented by the C) Feline Calicivirus belongs to the Caliciviridae family that causes disease of the upper respiratory and oral tracts. It is spread and carried through oral, ocular, and nasal secretions. It can live outside of the body for approximately a month so cleanliness in important. Some cats may become chronic carriers even when they do not show signs of infection. There is no treatment for the virus.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis is an infection caused by feline coronavirus (FCoV). There are many different forms of feline coronavirus, and each differs in their ability to cause disease. FCoV is spread through the feces of infected cats. A cat may become infected during grooming. Most cats that are infected can pass the virus up to a couple months. There are however cases in which a cat, once infected, can spread the virus throughout their lives. Most cats infected with FCoV have mild to no symptoms and can include upper respiratory infections and gastroenteritis. There are rare cases where FCoV will mutate in the cats’ body and cause FIP. FIP presents with non-specific signs of loss of appetite, weight loss, depression, and fever. Cats can also develop fluid build up in the chest and stomach regions. There currently is not a cure for FIP but there are certain medications that may be effective in treating FIP. These medications are not approved by the FDA and are still extremely risky. The FIP vaccine is not recommended and if administered will be a violation of our ABC Cattery Contract.

(Our cattery tests and is negative for) Feline Immunodeficiency Virus belongs to a family of lentiviruses and is similar to HIV in humans. An infected cat carries and can transmit the virus through its bodily fluids. Since it compromises the immune system most cats who get FIV are constantly sick because they lack the ability to fight off infections. There is no cure for FIV and currently no vaccine either. Although an important disease, it is not a common one. A cat however can live for many years with FIV depending on the severity of the strain it contracts.

(Our cattery tests and is negative for) Feline Leukemia Virus is one of the most infectious diseases in cats. It belongs the group of viruses called oncornaviruses and can cause cancerous tumors. The virus is carried through saliva, nasal secretions, urine, feces, and milk of infected cats. It can be spread through bite wounds mutual grooming and on rare occasions through shared litter boxes. It can also be transmitted from a mother to her kitten while still in the womb or after birth through her milk. Cats that are infected with FeLV can develop Lymphoma, Leukemia, and other tumors. Although other major effects of FeLV are immunosuppression, anemia, and neoplasia. There is no cure for FeLV and the prognosis if infected is not good. There is a vaccine however, but it is not considered a core vaccine. Cats who are not outdoors or exposed to other cats whose medical history is unknown, are not recommended to get the virus. This is a decision that can be discussed with your veterinarian.

(Is included in the FVRCP vaccine and is represented by the P) Feline Panleukopenia is a highly environmentally resistant feline parvovirus. It is carried and transmitted through the feces and vomit of an infected cat. It can survive outside of the host for up to one year. It causes severe vomiting, dehydration, and diarrhea. There is not a curative treatment for FP however there are supportive therapies that can be vital in the survival of the infected cat. The survival rate for kittens is almost zero and only 10% of cats older than 8 weeks. Cats that do survive, gain lifelong immunity. Vaccines are very effective in preventing FP.

(Is included in the FVRCP vaccine and is represented by the FVR portion) Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis is an infectious respiratory disease that mainly effect the nose and trachea of a cat. It is also known as Feline Influenza. Infection is caused by the Feline Herpes Virus (FHV). It is a major cause of upper respiratory infections in cats. It is carried and spread through ocular and nasal secretions and saliva. Fortunately, the virus only remains in the environment until it dries and then it is no longer active. There is no cure for FVR, and treatment lies in therapeutic medications to help treat the symptoms. This is an easily preventable disease and should be vaccinated for. 

(We screen for) Hypertonic Cardiomyopathy is a thickening of the tissues of the heart which reduces the amount of blood the heart can pump. It is hard to diagnose because at first there are no symptoms. Cats will often just adjust their level of activity to compensate the decrease of blood flow. The only way to diagnose HCM is by echocardiography. There is no cure for HCM. There are medications that can help manage the effects of HCM. There are no therapies that currently help the progression.

(Our cattery tests and is negative for) Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency is a genetic disorder. With PK-Def the cat lacks the enzyme in their red blood cells that enable them to burn energy. If this enzyme is lacking, it results in the red blood cells to have a shorter than normal life span. Anemia is usually the only symptom, and it is intermittent. Onset of PK-Def is variable and can occur at any age. Bone-marrow transplant is the only way to treat PK-Def in cats and it is potentially fatal and very expensive. 

(Our cattery tests and is negative for) Progressive Retinal Atrophy in Bengals is a progressive genetic disorder that cause the photoreceptor cells to degenerate over time until the cat eventually goes completely blind. This usually begins around 7 weeks of age and blindness is complete around the age of two years. There is no current treatment or cure for PRA-b. 

Rabies is a viral disease that effects all warm-blooded animals. It is carried in the saliva of an infected animal and gets transmitted through bite wounds. It is a fatal disease. The vaccination is only effective if it is administered before the bite. It is very important that your cat receives their rabies vaccinations. It is recommended that they get their first vaccination at 16 weeks of age and then annually after. 

Vaccinations have traditionally been given annually to adult cats. However, due to an increase in occurrences of cancer at the site of vaccination it is recommended that after initial vaccination cats receive a booster at one year then to follow a 3-year booster cycle following. It is recommended that the FeLV vaccination only be given when circumstances increase the likelihood of contact. Your cat also should never be given a shot between the shoulder blades. 

This is one of the most common intestinal parasites of cats. Roundworms are passed through the milk of their numbers, or from the feces of an infected mother to her kittens. Additionally, roundworm infection can occur if a cat eats an intermediate host. Treatments are effective and simple, though two or three treatments may be necessary.

This is another common intestinal parasite of cats and kittens. Kittens contract this parasite either through their mother’s milk, feces, or through the skin (if the mother has a hookworm). Several effective methods exist to diagnose and treat hookworm.

This is a parasite common to kittens less than six months of age. The most common symptom is diarrhea. Severely affected animals may also vomit, lose their appetites, become dehydrated and even die from the disease. Coccidiosis is very contagious among young kittens, but effective, safe treatments exist.

These are not particularly harmful cats. In rare cases, tapeworms may cause debilitation or weight loss if they are present in large numbers. Tapeworms are transmitted when a cat ingests an infected flea or prey animal. Diagnosis and treatment is simple and effective.

This is a parasite previously considered to affect dogs, but detection of this disease in cats has become more common. Affected cats may cough or experience other more severe heart or lung problems. Diagnosis and treatment is complicated in cats, and prevention is best.

De-worming medications are safe to use even if a cat doesn’t have worms. The medications are designed to act on the nerve cells of the worms. The nerve cells of worms are different than the nerve cells of cats. Therefore, the de-wormer kills the intestinal parasite without harm to the cat at all.