For most cat owners, cats are like those certain potato chips; it is difficult to have but one. The average cat owner has 2.5 cats and therefore, most domestic cats live in some type of group environment. While on the surface this fact may seem of little obvious consequence, this situation is important in the control and prevention of many feline diseases.

The incidence of infectious diseases, especially feline leukemia, increases in direct proportion to the number of cats one houses together. This is regardless of the fact that the cats may be "indoor only" animals. While allowing outdoor or indoor-outdoor cats to commingle with a group certainly can increase the odds that disease will occur, the simple basic fact remains that if one has more cats, one needs to exercise a higher level of care to prevent problems.

While there are many households having as many as 10-20 healthy cats, to successfully avoid daily trips to the veterinarian a few simple steps are highly advised:

1. All cats should have an examination and their basic distemper-respiratory vaccines given on an annual basis. There is some opinion that annual vaccinations are not necessary, but until more research is available we suggest this traditional approach.
2. All cats should be feline leukemia and FIV tested if this has not already been done, and definitely before new cats are added to the group.
3. All negative cats should be properly vaccinated against feline leukemia and given boosters annually without fail.
4. Cats with feline leukemia should not be maintained in the group without the understanding that they can produce disease, even in vaccinated cats, due to the chronic, persistent viral expose they provide.
5. The use of the FIP vaccine should be considered, and should certainly be used if any cat in the group has ever had FIP.

Back to Cat Index

HOME PAGE | HOSPITAL INFORMATION | PET HEALTH INFORMATION

©2007 James W. Day D.V.M., P.C.