Herpes/calici infected - Do they need Distemper shot?

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Mike - 01 Apr 2005 19:23 GMT

I have one indoor only cat (7 y/o) that is healthy and is in the
process of getting updated on his FVRCP vaccination. But, I've decide
to bring in a few very friendly strays (11 months old) that were
abandoned. They're in the process of getting their vaccinations,
various tests, and spayed/neutered. The doctor informed me that these
stray cats were infected with the herpes virus as well as calicivirus
but have already had their very first FVRCP vaccination several days
ago.

If they're going to be inside only cats and have already been infected
with herpes and calicivirus, do they really need a booster shot in a few
weeks? I was told that the FVRCP vaccination doesn't prevent infection
from herpes and calici but helps prevent the sypmtoms from being so
severe. So if they're already infected and will always be carriers of
these diseases, do they really need the vaccination for it if they're
going to be inside only? I'd hate to subject them to getting another
shot if they really don't need it.

Will getting them vaccinated help prevent my other cat from getting
infected or getting the symptoms?

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PawsForThought - 01 Apr 2005 20:19 GMT

I would recommend checking out www.catshots.com. They have good
information on vaccines.

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Phil P. - 01 Apr 2005 23:25 GMT

I was told that the FVRCP vaccination doesn't prevent infection

> from herpes and calici but helps prevent the sypmtoms from being so
> severe. So if they're already infected and will always be carriers of
> these diseases, do they really need the vaccination for it if they're
> going to be inside only?

Unfortunately, yes. In fact, all your cats' should be current with their
FHV/FCV vaccines because FCV is shed continuously and FHV is shed
intermittently. Also, contaminated objects such as food and water bowls, as
well as the hands, feet, and clothing, can spread the virus to susceptible
cats. So keeping all your cats' FHV/FCV vaccinations current should help a
great deal.

I suggest speaking to your vet about the Heska Feline UltraNasal FHV/FCV
vaccine - especially for your resident cats. This intranasal vaccine
produces almost instant immunity (<72 hours). FPV (distemper) vaccines
confer solid immunity for >8 years and probably for life, but FHV and FCV
aren't as efficacious - titers start to decline to about 50-60% after 3
years. So in the face of carriers/shedders, I'd probably go with the
bivalent intranasal vaccine every 2 years.

> Will getting them vaccinated help prevent my other cat from getting
> infected or getting the symptoms?

Vaccinations don't prevent infection but tend to reduce the severity of the
disease and clinical signs. You might want to speak to your vet about
Lysine therapy (250 mg, PO, b.i.d. to t.i.d.). Lysine helps reduce the
severity of FVR infection because it interferes with viral replication.

Best of luck.

Phil

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