Free from disease
We feel it important to mention that we often come across a general misconception amongst our fellow cat breeders that if cats are vaccinated against certain diseases then they can automatically claim that their cattery is free from those particular diseases. An animal can still become infected with a disease, but if that animal is already vaccinated then its immune system will already be 'pre-programmed' into recognising the infection and thus minimise the clinical effects and duration of the disease. Below is a list of some of the major pathogens that cause disease in cats that we can and cannot vaccinate for. It is not intended to explain them in detail but explain why we at Zaeshinwa Birmans vaccinate against some diseases and not others. If you wish to find out more regarding their aetiology and symptoms contact your local vet.
FIV (Feline immunodeficiency virus), FeLV (Feline Leukaemia Virus)
The prevalence of such viruses is actually very low despite all the attention people seem to pay these diseases, and interestingly are the easiest to be free from in a cattery situation. They spread through direct contact with body fluids such as saliva and blood so if all your cats are tested negative following a blood test then you can maintain this by keeping your cats confined and out of contact from unknown cats. The likelihood is that they are negative anyway! Our birmans are free of these two diseases. A vaccine for both FIV and FeLV is currently available in Australia. Once vaccinated however, we are currently unable to distinguish between those that are vaccinated and from those that are infected carriers. This is due to the fact that as of yet there is no easily available commercial test that can distinguish between the two. We do not vaccinate against these diseases as our cats are kept isolated from all other cats. Also in regard to the FeLV vaccine it would be wise to consult your veterinarian about any risks that may be associated with it.
Feline Calicivirus
Calicivirus is an important cause of acute upper respiratory tract disease in cats along with 'herpes virus' and 'chlamydia' and often incorrectly referred to as 'cat flu'. The virus is one of the two major causes of respiratory diseases in cats. We vaccinate all our cats against this virus as part of the F3 vaccination, however it must be realised that there are many 'strains' of calicivirus, and these may not be neutralised. Therefore a vaccine is only effective against a limited number of calicivirus 'strains', but enough however to prevent serious disease. Through maintaining your breeding cats in isolation from outside 'unknown' cats you can drastically reduce the risk of your animals becoming infected.
Feline Herpesvirus (Feline viral rhinotracheitis)
Feline Herpesvirus is a major cause of respiratory and ocular disease in cats. Oral, ocular or nasal infection with the virus results from nose to nose contact or contact with infected items in the cats' environment. The initial disease is usually self limiting causing a variety of ocular, respiratory and oral lesions (ask your vet for specifics). However, it must be realised that during this period the virus establishes a life-long latency within the cat's neural tissue. Just like in humans - 'herpes is forever!' Later in the cats life, episodes of viral reactivation may occur brought on by periods of stress such as concurrent illness, boarding, cat shows, pregnancy etc. This may lead to sub-clinical shedding of the virus - in other words the cat may not be obviously unwell but can still transmit the virus or acquire re-occurrence of clinical disease. To control the spread of disease a combination of vaccination, hygiene and stress minimisation should be employed. We vaccinate against Herpesvirus as the current vaccines reduce the symptoms of disease but does not stop infection (if you have any queries ask your vet). By reducing symptoms of the disease you reduce the amount of time the cat will shed into the environment. The good news is that the virus is highly labile meaning that it does not survive long outside the body, lasting less than 12 hours in dry conditions and up to 18 hours in a moist environment. The virus is susceptible to most commonly available disinfectants and thus viral load in the environment can be eliminated. So if good hygiene standards are practiced and animals are not kept in crowded conditions the risk of disease can be minimised.
Chlamydophila ("Chlamydia")
Chlamydophila infection in cats is different to the disease that is known to occur in humans. In cats Chlamydophila often causes conjunctivitis and is also associated with sub-clinical rhinitis and respiratory problems. About 6% of healthy cats carry this organism without apparent signs and it is these animals that aid in the spread of the disease. The disease is caused by the bacterium Chlamydophila felis, formerly known as Chlamydia psittaci. Chlamydial organisms are very odd bacteria in that they are obligatory intracellular organisms. This means they can only reproduce and survive actually living inside the cells of the host animal. As a result the immune system has difficulty clearing the organism and the disease is often chronic. As these bacteria hide away inside the host cells the immune system does not want to destroy its own cells quite so readily. The bacteria replicate within the host cell eventually causing it to rupture and releasing the infective stage of the lifecycle to spread to other cells. Transmission occurs by contact with fresh or dried infected bodily fluids and obviously contact with shedding infected cats. In cats it is often difficult to prove that an individual is definitely free of the pathogen, but there are a number of diagnostic options available and your local vet can assist you with these if it is of concern. Often infected individuals need long term antibiotics to truly clear an infection. Zaeshinwa Birman cattery is currently free from this disease. Maintaining hygiene and regular cleaning of catteries and keeping cat numbers low will reduce the risk of infection.
Feline Panleukopaenia virus
(Feline parvovirus, yes similar to what dogs get)
Feline panleucopaenia virus (FPV) is most common in kittens at the time of weaning, but all ages are susceptible and it is not common when compared to canine parvoviral infection. Transmission is via the oro-faecal route. The symptoms an individual exhibits really depends on the age at which it was infected. Many older cats have antibodies for the virus as often infection in older cats is sub-clinical. The most severe cases are seen in young unvaccinated kittens. Vaccinations are highly effective at inducing protective antibody levels and are strongly recommended. We vaccinate against FPV as part of the "F3" vaccine. The virus is very resistant in the environment, however disinfection of catteries can be achieved using bleach at a minimum 1% concentration. Zaeshinwa cattery is free of this disease.
Feline enteric coronavirus (FeCV)
Feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV)
These two viruses will essentially be addressed as one in the same as research has shown the integrated link between the FeCoV and the subsequent development of the FIPV. Please let it be noted that what follows is a highly simplified explanation of the development of FIP. It is intended to enable people to understand the general concept of this complex disease so that one can understand that all catteries are at risk to some degree from this disease, in particular larger catteries. If more information is required regarding symptoms and the like please contact your vet. FeCoV causes mild or inapparent intestinal infection in cats. Surveys show that over 90% of cats have antibody to the virus and a percentage of these appear to be chronic virus carriers. The problem is that FeCoV has a high rate of mutation, and a small percentage of cats will be infected with a virus that mutates into the FIP viral form. Therefore if we understand that FeCoV is present in the intestines of the vast majority of cats naturally, and we understand that it has a high rate of mutation, then the higher the population of cats in any one area increases the risk of FIP occurring. Moreover, with high population densities there are often inadequate hygiene practices with too many cats sharing litter trays. These large catteries are at greater risk producing disease and hygiene becomes even more critically important.
There is a problem associated with diagnosis of FIP in that there is cross-reactivity between FIP and FeCoV. This has prevented the production of a suitable diagnostic test for FIP. A more reliable diagnostic test for FIP, based on immunohistochemical techniques, is now available at the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney. As most cats carry antibodies for FeCoV, current antibody detection tests cannot equivocally identify those individuals with FIPV. So in order to diagnose FIP a combination of diagnostic tests should be employed.
At present there is no vaccine for FeCoV or FIPV available in Australia and concern exists regarding the potential harm of vaccines in development overseas. Basically, all catteries are at risk of the spontaneous development of FIP but chances can be greatly reduced by implementing adequate hygiene practices.
