Cat Management and Feline Diseases Lecture Notes

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering feline terminology, core vaccination protocols, and the etiology, transmission, and clinical signs of major feline viral diseases including FHV-1, FCV, FPV, FIV, and FeLV.

Kitten

An immature male or female cat.

Queen

A mature female cat.

Tom

A mature, intact male cat.

Queening

The process of a cat giving birth.

Early Spay/Neuter Recommendation

Supported by the AVMA, AAFP, and ASV for cats by $5$ months of age based on known benefits and lack of evidenced harm.

FVRCP

A core vaccine series for kittens (starting at $6-9$ weeks) and adults that protects against Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia.

Feline Herpesvirus I (FHV-1)

Also known as feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR), it causes fever, oculonasal discharge, and conjunctivitis, often leading to lifelong latent infections.

Fomites

Inanimate objects, such as water bowls or toys, that can transmit FHV-1 as long as they remain moist.

Feline Calicivirus (FCV)

A core vaccine component for a virus that causes oculonasal discharge and oral mucosal ulcers in up to $70\%$ of infected cats.

Limping kitty syndrome

A form of polyarthritis in kittens aged $8-12$ weeks associated with Feline Calicivirus (FCV) that usually resolves without treatment.

Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV)

A Feline Parvovirus that destroys rapidly dividing cells in the small intestines, bone marrow, and lymphoid tissue; it can survive in the environment for up to $1$ year.

Ataxia and Tremors

Neurological signs observed in kittens when FPV infects the cerebellum during late pregnancy or the first $3$ weeks of life.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

A cat-specific retrovirus transmitted primarily through bite wounds that typically causes immunosuppression by attacking white blood cells.

ELISA

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, an in-clinic test used for routine screening to detect antibodies for FIV or core viral antigens for FeLV.

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)

A fragile retrovirus transmitted through close contact (saliva, grooming, sharing dishes) that can lead to neoplasia, such as lymphoma or leukemia.

p27

The core viral antigen detected in the blood during screening for Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV).

IFA

Indirect immunofluorescent antibody assay, a laboratory test used to confirm FeLV or FIV by identifying viral antigens within infected white blood cells and platelets.

FeLV Susceptibility

Highest in cats less than $6$ months of age; degrees of exposure that infect $100\%$ of kittens may infect less than $30\%$ of adults.