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Your adult cat is a perfect specimen of mobility, speed, acuity, and grace. She is in her prime. She shines in her gleaming coat and her eyes are bright.
Jumping, twisting, and landing, her skeleton bears strain our own bodies could never endure. Her muscles are highly flexible. Her movements are lightning fast and her senses highly tuned.
Between ages 1 and 8, your cat will experience the equivalent of a human's journey from teenager to late middle age. As caretaker, you are responsible for good adult cat health and lifestyle in these years and beyond.
It can be difficult to keep such an adventurous creature indoors. But to do so is proven to extend a cat's life, because it limits exposure to predators, cars, fleas, and other cats that may have diseases such as feline leukemia or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Keep your cat duly entertained indoors by providing toys, structures to climb on, spots near windows to watch the action outdoors, or–if she responds to them–TV and special videos.
One potential side effect of being a pampered, indoor cat is obesity. If your cat starts to gain weight, limit or change her diet and encourage more exercise. Make time for play with your cat each day.
An adult cat should visit the vet annually. Dental and gum disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and other medical problems can present themselves in adulthood to middle age. Early detection is essential to successful treatment and extended life.
As your cat nears 8 years old, be sure to watch for signs of other age-related illnesses such as weight loss, decreased appetite, neglect of grooming, increased thirst and urination, and retreating from the household.
Both you and your cat will enjoy these peak years. They will be filled with acrobatic antics and lithe poses you can't help photographing. If you take the appropriate precautions, you can extend the health and fun for many years.
New cat parents often are unaware of the FVRCP vaccine and why it is essential to get their cats vaccinated for it. FVRCP vaccine stands for Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia, and it is one of the core vaccines recommended for all cats. Feline rhinotracheitis is an infection that causes flu-like symptoms in cats. While this infection is common in outdoor cats, it can find its way to indoor cats as well. Calicivirus develops mouth ulcers and inflammation while panleukopenia attacks the cat’s immune system, putting its life in lethal danger. Hence, protecting your indoor kitty from these harmful viruses is essential for maintaining their overall health.
That’s where the FVRCP vaccine for kittens and cats comes into picture. It protects our feline creatures from three life-threatening viruses – feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia. But before you get your fur baby vaccinated, let’s take a look at some important information about FVRCP vaccines for cats.
Although we know the FVRCP vaccine is crucial for a cat’s well-being, it is also necessary to know when and how to get your kitty inoculated with this combination vaccine. Given below are some essential details related to the FVRCP vaccine for cats that every cat parent should know about:
FVR is caused by the FVH-1 virus. It is one of the most fatal infections that a cat can contract. The FVRCP vaccine is a core vaccine for preventing rhinotracheitis in cats. Feline viral rhinotracheitis is a highly infectious illness that causes symptoms ranging from sneezes and conjunctivitis to fever and lethargy. It spreads through bodily fluids like saliva as well as eyes and nose discharge of infected cats. If not detected and treated in time, FVR in cats can prove fatal. The FVRCP vaccine will ensure that your pet develops immunity against feline rhinotracheitis.
Like feline rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus (FCV) is another deadly virus in cats. This virus typically attacks the cat’s respiratory tract and oral organs. Calicivirus symptoms can range from upper respiratory tract diseases to mouth ulcers and inflammations. If you observe any signs of calicivirus in your indoor cat, take it to the vet immediate as you should start medication at the earliest. However, it is always better to keep such daunting health issues at bay through vaccination, and the FVRCP vaccine acts as an effective preventive measure.
Abbreviated as FPV, feline panleukopenia is a highly contagious virus that attacks the immune system of cats. It presents symptoms like fever, vomiting, and anorexia. Unlike feline viral rhinotracheitis, which causes flu-like symptoms or calicivirus which causes mouth ulcers and eye infections, FPV attacks the bone marrow and the lymph nodes. And this further decreases the white blood cell count in cats. With FVRCP vaccination, you can prepare your purrfect pal to combat this deadly virus.
Core vaccines are a must for all cats as they equip our feline creatures to fight off some of the most infectious and fatal viruses. FVRCP vaccine is one such core preventive measure besides anti-rabies vaccine for cats. FVR, FCV, and FPV are some of the most contagious viruses that easily spread through the body fluids of infected animals. Vaccinating your kitty with FVRCP enables its body to prepare antigens against these fatal viruses. Hence, FVRCP is said to be one of the core vaccines for cats.
Kittens are inoculated with the FVRCP vaccine every three to four weeks between the ages of 16 to 20 weeks. Booster shots are needed to ensure that the cat’s immune system is completely ready to recognise the vaccine components. These jabs also ascertain that the kitten's immunity is strong enough to combat these four deadly viruses as they age. The kitty should receive a final dose of FVRCP after it turns a year old. Post this, you should revaccinate your feline friend every three years to keep its immunity intact. Please note, the FVRCP vaccine cost depends on the brand you choose to inoculate your pet.
However, before scheduling an appointment for FVRCP vaccination, you must ask the following questions to your veterinarian.
What are the side effects of FVRCP and how soon do they wear off?
How to care for the kitty post-vaccination?
How many booster shots will the kitty need based on its lifestyle, age, and breed?
FVRCP vaccine cost.
The FVRCP vaccine might cause some discomfort and minor side effects. While minor symptoms are common, it is best to visit the veterinarian if you notice any extreme signs of discomfort. Given below are a few of the most common side effects of this vaccine.
Redness or swelling at the injected site
Low-grade fever
Low appetite
Some cats might develop an allergic reaction to the FVRCP vaccine. If you notice your kitty vomiting, itching, or suffering from diarrhea, you must consult the doctor at the earliest.
