Sunday, August 2, 2009

What does a 'distemper' shot do for cats?

Does it make them less aggressive? I adopted a cat ( 11 months old )and have not gotten him his distemper shot yet... but i'm hoping that once i do he will settle a little because hes become slightly more aggressive than usual. Thanks
Answers:
Distemper is a disease carried by most animals. Its actually more contagious than rabies and higher death rate than parvo. If an animal survives distemper its usually with neurological damage.
Get the cat its vaccinations.
It has NOTHING to do with the temperment of the cat. It is a virus that can make them very ill. It is a good idea to get the vaccine, along witht the Rabies vaccine. It is also a good idea to get the cat neutered if he is not laready. That can help with the aggression problem.
It protects the cat from a deadly disease.
It should not have an impact on the temperament of the cat.
Distemper is a disease, so the distemper vaccine will prevent him from catching the disease, but shouldn't have any effect on his personality.
next time look at the subject ur puting you question on. u put it on dogs. this is a cat question right?? well yes, my cat got that shot and now he's very calm. well calmer than usual at least. you should take your cat to get the shot. good luck =D
The name "distemper" has nothing to do with temperment. A feline distemper vaccine actually contains 2-3 vaccines in one (similar to a canine distemper vaccine which contains 3-5 vaccines) - the number depends on the brand being used. A feline distemper vaccine prevents diseases that can cause respiratory infections, neurologic symptoms, and organ failure. Feline distemper vaccines must be boostered in a series, so your cat requires at least 2 shots, a few weeks apart at this age in order to be sufficiently protected. If you adopted him from a shelter or humane society he might have already been vaccinated once. Find out or take him to the vet anyway, it won't hurt him to have it again.
Distemper shots prevent your cat from getting a disease called distemper. Although the shot may slow your cat down for a day it won't have any long term effects on your cats temperment. Getting the cat spayed or neutered may calm them down tho.
Distemper has absolutely NOTHING to do with temeprament/aggression, etc. Panleukopenia aka Feline distemper is a very contagious and usually fatal viral infection. It affects the bone marrow, causes loss of appetite, vomiting, diarreha.
******Feline distemper is NOT the same as canine distemper and can't be passed from one species to the other******
**** Distemper(Panleukopenia) is NOT Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis...they are two totally different things. and it is also NOT Feline Calicivirus which is also totally different..FVR is caused by the herpesvirus and FC is caused by the calicivirus******
If this cat has had a change in attitude you need to take him to the vet for a good exam..he could have a tooth problem or any number of other issues going on and if medical issues are ruled out and he has already been neutered (if he hasn't been neutered get it done asap, it will most likely help)it is likely to be a behavioral issue that you will need to work with.
Feline distemper is also known as Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis- Calici Virus
It is a group of very cantagious and common diseases that causes respiritory infection.
Symptoms: Coughing, sneezing, and discharge from the eyes and nose, and can even lead to pneumonia and/or blindness.
Cats who have recovered from this can become lifetimes carriers and will pass it to other cats. Since you don't know the history of other cats, best to get your cat vaccinated.
Kittens go through a series of three. The first one in normally given at 6 wks, the second is at 9 wks, and the last one is at 12 wks. But you can start her series now. Just every three weeks until the last one is given. The last one is for the year and after you will have to get her vaccinated annually.

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