When rabies is diagnosed, animals must be euthanized. If humans are infected, they can be vaccinated successfully in early stages of the disease. Treatment, however, is unpleasant and costly. It's almost impossible to prevent exposure, so all cats should be vaccinated. The FPL virus can affect many parts of a cat's body, causing fever, appetite loss, vomiting diarrhea, dehydration, weakness, tremors, and incoordination.
Death can occur within a week.
Vaccinations for FPL should be given every year, but kittens less than 12 weeks old are given two to three doses several weeks apart. Kittens can die from the disease, especially if they get pneumonia. Cats with respiratory disease have watery or sticky discharge from the nose and eyes, nose and mouth sores, inflamed eyes, and fever. Most respiratory diseases are caused by one of two viruses feline rhinotracheitus virus or feline calicivirus. Rhinotracheitus tends to be more severe and can cause abortions in pregnant cats.