cta core/ non core

FISS

Feline Injection-Site Sarcoma, a cancer associated with vaccinations in cats.

Recognition

Identified in the early 1990s as an issue in vaccinated cats.

Risk

The current estimated risk of FISS is below 1 in 10,000 doses.

Reports

Initial reports linked FISS to rabies/FeLV vaccines and aluminum adjuvants.

Surgery

Early surgical removal with margins of 3-5 cm and 2 fascial planes deep is recommended if fibrosarcoma is confirmed.

Vaccines

All recombinant and modified live virus (MLV) feline vaccines sold in the US and Canada are adjuvant-free.

Guidelines

Injection site recommendations can be found in the AAFP Feline Vaccination Guidelines, 2020.

FPV

Feline Panleukopenia Virus, a core vaccine recommended by AAHA/AAFP 2020.

FHV1

Feline Herpesvirus 1, one of the core vaccines recommended by AAHA/AAFP 2020.

FCV

Feline Calicivirus, included as a core vaccine in the AAHA/AAFP 2020 guidelines.

FeLV

Feline Leukemia Virus vaccine is recommended for cats under 1 year of age.

Rabies

Feline Rabies Virus vaccine, a core vaccine as per AAHA/AAFP 2020 guidelines.

FIP

Feline Infectious Peritonitis vaccine, generally not recommended in the AAHA/AAFP 2020 guidelines.

Upper Respiratory Complex

Includes Feline Herpesvirus 1 (FHV1) and Feline Calicivirus (FCV), causing respiratory symptoms in cats.

Rhinotracheitis

Inflammation of the conjunctiva, characterized by discharge from the eyes and nose, caused by FHV1.

Contagiousness

Both FHV1 and FCV are highly contagious among cats, spreading easily in populations.

Calicivirus Symptoms

Causes ulcerations and blisters in the mouth and tongue of infected cats.

Feline Respiratory Disease Complex

Includes infections caused by FVR (feline viral rhinotracheitis), FCV, Chlamydia felis, and Mycoplasma felis, affecting both exotic and domestic species.

Transmission

Natural transmission occurs via aerosol droplets and fomites, which can be transferred to susceptible cats by handlers.

Convalescent Cats

Convalescent cats may harbor the virus for several months after infection.

Virus Shedding

Calicivirus is shed continuously, while infectious FVR virus is released intermittently.

Stress and Illness

Stress may precipitate a secondary course of illness in infected cats.

Incubation Periods

Incubation period is 2-6 days for FVR and FCV, and 5-10 days for pneumonitis caused by Chlamydia psittaci.

Modified-Live Virus Vaccines

There are two types of modified-live virus FVR-FCV vaccines for cats.

Parenteral Administration

The first type of modified-live virus vaccine is administered parenterally (injected).

Conjunctival and Nasal Administration

The second type is administered to healthy cats via instillation into the conjunctival cul de sacs and nasal passages.

Oronasally Vaccinated Cats

Cats inoculated oronasally may sneeze frequently for 4–7 days post-vaccination.

Faster Protection

These vaccines provide faster protection in high-risk populations and kittens against respiratory disease.

Annual Revaccination

Annual revaccination with a single dose is recommended to maintain immunity.

Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV)

Also known as feline distemper; it is highly contagious and often fatal in cats.

Resistance of FPV

The causative parvovirus is very resistant and can survive in the environment for up to 1 year at room temperature, especially within organic material.

Transmission of FPV

FPV can be transported long distances via fomites such as shoes and clothing, making it easy to spread.

Disinfection

Peroxygen disinfectants are effective against FPV in the environment.

Virus Shedding

Virus particles are present in all secretions and excretions during the acute phase of illness; survivors may shed the virus in feces for up to 6 weeks after recovery.

Incubation Period

The incubation period for FPV is 2–7 days from exposure to the onset of clinical signs.

Sources of Infection

Cats can be infected oronasally from infected animals, their feces, secretions, or contaminated fomites, including free-roaming cats.

Diagnosis

FPV is currently diagnosed infrequently by veterinarians due to widespread vaccine use, reducing its prevalence.

Impact of FPV on Cells

Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV) infects and destroys actively dividing cells in the bone marrow, lymphoid tissues, and intestinal epithelium. In very young animals, it also affects the cerebellum and retina.

Clinical Signs

Common clinical signs of FPV include fever, lethargy, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, and marked leukopenia, increasing susceptibility to secondary bacterial infections.

Effects on Pregnant Queens

When pregnant queens are infected with FPV in early or mid-pregnancy, stillbirth is the usual outcome. Infection late in pregnancy can lead to kittens with cerebellar hypoplasia.

Attenuated FPV Vaccines

Attenuated vaccines should be avoided for the vaccination of pregnant queens and kittens under 4 weeks of age due to the theoretical risk of cerebellar hypoplasia and potential clinical signs from residual virulence in immunocompromised animals.

Inactivated FPV Vaccines

Inactivated vaccines are generally considered safer for use in pregnant cats and cats with retrovirus infections compared to attenuated vaccines.

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)

FeLV is a retrovirus similar to HIV that inserts copies of its genetic material into the cells it infects via reverse transcriptase.

Transmission of FeLV

FeLV is commonly transmitted from mother to kittens, as well as between cats that live together or fight.

Saliva as a Transmission Medium

The virus is mainly spread through saliva during grooming and when cats share food and water bowls.

Urine and Feces Transmission

FeLV is less frequently transmitted through urine or feces compared to saliva.

Prevalence in North America

In North America, about 4% of tested cats are found to be infected with FeLV.

Prevalence in Latin America

In Latin America, the prevalence of FeLV can be as high as 42% in tested cats

FeLV in Saliva and Secretions

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is present in high quantities in saliva and nasal secretions, and also in the milk of infected cats, facilitating both horizontal and vertical transmission.

Cat-to-Cat Transmission

FeLV can transfer between cats through bite wounds, mutual grooming, and shared use of litter boxes or feeding dishes.

Transmission During Nursing

An infected mother cat can transmit FeLV to her kittens either before they are born or while nursing them.

Survival Outside the Host

FeLV does not survive long outside a cat's body, typically less than a few hours under normal household conditions.

Varieties of FeLV Infection

There are three varieties of Feline Leukemia Virus infection: FeLV-A (naturally infected cats), FeLV-B, FeLV-C, and FeLV-T.

Infection Pathway

Following oronasal inoculation, FeLV travels from oropharyngeal lymphoid tissue to blood mononuclear cells, then to the spleen, lymph nodes, gastrointestinal and bladder epithelial cells, salivary glands, and bone marrow.

Viremia Timeline

Viremia occurs 2-4 weeks after FeLV infection, with acute symptoms appearing 2-6 weeks post-infection, including mild fever, malaise, lymphadenopathy, and blood cytopenias.

Persistent Infection

Cats that cannot mount an adequate immune response to FeLV may become persistently viremic, leading to a progressive and fatal infection.

Oncogenesis

Oncogenesis in FeLV occurs when the virus inserts itself into the host's cellular genome, potentially leading to tumors or cancers.

FeLV and Cancer

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is the most common cause of cancer in cats, associated with lymphoma, leukemia, various blood disorders (like anemia), and immune deficiency leading to secondary infections.

FeLV Treatment Options

Currently, there is no effective treatment available for FeLV.

Diagnosis of FeLV

Diagnostic tests, such as ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay), are used to detect FeLV in cats.

FeLV Vaccination for Uninfected Cats

Consider FeLV vaccination for FeLV-negative cats, using FeLV antigen testing (for -p27), as there is no proven benefit for vaccinating infected cats.

Vaccination Schedule

Vaccinations for FeLV are recommended for all kittens, with a booster one year later, and regularly for cats that have access to the outdoors.

Vaccination for Indoor Cats

Adult indoor-only cats living alone or with uninfected cats may not need to be vaccinated after the first two years, depending on their exposure risk.

Quality of Life in Infected Cats

Infected cats may maintain a good quality of life; while many die within 3 years of diagnosis, others can remain clinically healthy for many years.

Preventive Veterinary Care

Management of infected cats includes preventive veterinary care such as frequent physical examinations (PE), laboratory monitoring, core vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, dental prophylaxis, and parasite control.

Preventing Transmission of FeLV

To avoid transmission of FeLV to other cats, infected cats should be kept indoors and away from uninfected cats in the household.

Chlamydophila felis

A non-core vaccine for cats that protects against Chlamydophila felis, a bacterial infection that can cause conjunctivitis and respiratory issues.

Bordetella bronchiseptica

A non-core vaccine for cats protecting against Bordetella bronchiseptica, a bacterium that can lead to respiratory infections, particularly in high-density environments.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)

A non-core vaccine aimed at preventing Feline Infectious Peritonitis, a serious viral disease caused by feline coronavirus with a high mortality rate.

Bordetella

Highly contagious bacterial respiratory disease causing inflammation of the trachea and bronchi in cats.

Signs

Clinical signs are similar to those of viral upper respiratory tract diseases, complicating diagnosis.

Transmission

Easily spread through direct (licking, nuzzling) or indirect contact (air: coughing or sneezing), and transmission can occur between dogs and cats.

Kittens

Most at risk, with severe disease including fatal bronchopneumonia reported.

Prevalence

Seroprevalence rates ranging from 24% to 79%, indicating it is more common than previously thought.

Chlamydophila felis

Also known as 'Feline Pneumonitis', it primarily causes conjunctivitis and upper respiratory tract symptoms in cats.

Infection Spread

Chlamydophila felis spreads through direct or close contact with an infected cat, as it cannot survive long in the environment (aerosol, fomites).

Common in Young Cats

Chlamydophila felis is one of the most common causes of infectious conjunctivitis, particularly in young cats and

Incubation Period

After infection with Chlamydophila felis, the incubation period ranges from 3 to 10 days before symptoms develop.

Symptoms

Infected cats experience intense conjunctivitis, hyperaemia of the nictitating membrane, blepharospasm, and ocular discomfort, accompanied by watery and mucopurulent discharge, and chemosis of the conjunctiva.

Antibodies

Infected cats develop antibodies, and kittens are initially protected for the first 1-2 months of life by maternal-derived antibodies (MDA).

Household Treatment

If one cat is diagnosed with a Chlamydophila felis infection, all cats in the household should be treated to prevent further spread of the infection.

Zoonotic Risk

On rare occasions, Chlamydophila felis has been isolated from humans living with infected cats and guinea pigs, with documented cases of follicular conjunctivitis in immunocompromised individuals.

Hygiene Practices

Routine hygiene practices, such as washing hands before and after handling sick pets, may reduce the risk of transmission from affected animals to people.

FIP Vaccine Recommendation

The Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) vaccine is not generally recommended by AAHAA/AFP due to insufficient evidence of its efficacy in providing clinically relevant protection.

Administration Age

The FIP vaccine is labeled for administration from 16 weeks of age, while many kittens are infected with coronaviruses before reaching this age.

Serotype II Strain

The vaccine contains a serotype II strain of FIP virus, which is not the predominant strain in the field.

Dominant Strain

Serotype I FIP virus strains are more common in natural infections and do not share cross-reactive neutralizing epitopes with serotype II strains, impacting vaccine efficacy.

Definition of FIP

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is an immune-mediated disease triggered by infection with a feline coronavirus (FCoV).

Internal Mutation Theory

The 'internal mutation theory' suggests that FCoV can mutate within an infected cat, leading to the development of FIP.

Viral Genetics/Host Immunity Theory

The 'viral genetics/host immunity theory' proposes that the host's immune response and viral genetics both play a role in the pathogenesis of FIP.

Susceptibility in Other Felids

Other felid species are also susceptible to FIP, indicating the broader impact of FCoV as an important pathogen in nondomestic felids, such as cheetahs.

Prevalence of FCoV Infection

Although FCoV infection is very prevalent in multicat households, less than 5% of these cats develop FIP, and the prevalence is lower in single-cat environments.

Transmission of FCoV

FCoV is primarily transmitted via fecal-oral routes; inhalation is rare. The virus replicates in the intestinal epithelium, which can lead to diarrhea in some cats.

Asymptomatic Carriers

Many cats infected with FCoV may remain asymptomatic for weeks to months, shedding the virus either intermittently or continually, serving as potential sources of infection for other cats.

Clinical Signs of FIP

The clinical signs of FIP can vary depending on the organs involved, affecting areas such as the liver, kidneys, pancreas, central nervous system (CNS), and eyes.

Genetic Susceptibility

Susceptibility to FIP is considered a polygenic inherited trait, with breeds such as Persians and Birmans showing higher susceptibility. Breeds with a higher prevalence of FIP include Rex, Abyssinian, Bengal, Birman, Himalayan, and Ragdoll.

Wet FIP Form

The 'wet' effusive/exudative form of FIP involves immune complexes aggregating in blood vessel walls, leading to vasculitis and fluid leakage, resulting in a 'pendulous abdomen' due to ascites.

Dry FIP Form

The 'dry' non-effusive/non-exudative form of FIP is characterized by multiple granulomas or pyogranulomas in various sites, including the lungs, liver, kidneys, intestines, and central nervous system (CNS), which may cause anisocoria.

Rivalta Test Purpose

The Rivalta test is used to differentiate between effusions caused by FIP and those caused by other diseases, based on the characteristics of the effusion.

Positive Reaction Criteria

A positive Rivalta test reaction indicates high protein content and high concentrations of fibrin and inflammatory mediators, using water and acetic acid mixed with a drop of the effusion.