If you have never owned a pet before, you may be pretty excited about buying your first little animal friend. However, you probably have some questions. We hope that this blog will provide you with some of the answers you are looking for. We don't claim to be experts when it comes to this subject, we have done lots of research into this subject. Here, you will find info about animal welfare, bedding, pet food products, and vaccinations. We hope you enjoy reading the things we have posted here. Check back soon to read all of our latest updates. Thank you!
If you want to buy a kitten to add some life around the house and give you some companionship, make sure that it is fully protected before you go any further. In particular, you'll want to make sure that it is vaccinated against a range of risks, including something that is colloquially known as "cat flu." What is this illness, how is it caused, and how much of a risk does it pose?
Respiratory Disease
Cat flu is the general name given to an upper respiratory disease that can affect cats of any age. It's typically transmitted by a virus that can be spread quite easily in a number of different ways.
Nasty Symptoms
The symptoms of cat flu are similar to that of a heavy cold in a human but with the potential for additional complications. The cat may begin to sneeze repetitively, develop a fever and go off their appetite. They may be sleeping far more than usual, have difficulty breathing and discharge from the nose or the eyes. In the worst-case scenario, their condition could develop into pneumonia, and they may incur damage to their eyes, which could become permanent. All in all, it's a very debilitating disease but is relatively easy to prevent if you make sure that the cat gets the right vaccination course.
Spreading Virus
The virus that causes this disease can be spread through direct contact between cats, and this is a particular risk if you allow your cat to be outdoors before it is vaccinated. However, the virus can also be spread through contact with humans if they have been inadvertently exposed elsewhere. Although humans cannot be infected and will never exhibit symptoms, they may transfer the virus to litter trays, bedding or food bowls without realising it.
Course of Treatment
Vets recommend that a cat is given a course of injections from a very early age, and they may also require booster shots from time to time. It is particularly important to vaccinate a kitten as the immune system will not be advanced enough to cope with the infection, should it arrive.
Ever Present Risk
Many people do not realise that cats can become lifelong carriers of the virus in a dormant state, should they catch the illness and recover. This means that there is a significant risk to your kitten if it comes into contact with any other cats until you go through the entire vaccination course.
Taking Action
Talk with your veterinarian about your options, and they will help you to book your cat's appointment. Look into a veterinary service for more information.