Does my cat's distemper shot prevent all upper respiratory infections?

Question

Hi, my cat Alani is 21 months old and has been coughing and sneezing for the past 5 days. She has had her distemper shot and booster. The other 3 cats in the house have not been vaccinated and have been sick with the same symptoms this week as well. I was wondering if I should be worried. Also, isn’t the distemper shot a vaccination against upper respiratory infections? Thanks. Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | spayed | 1 year and 9 months old | 11 lbs

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS · Accepted Answer

The distemper vaccine is against feline rhinotrachetis and calicivirus (feline herpes virus type I) which are responsible for 80-90% of infectious feline upper respiratory tract diseases. But that means there are still 10-20% of upper respiratory infections that can be caused by other things such as bacteria and viruses. It may be Alani has a respiratory infection from one of those. I would have her seen by a vet. The vet can confirm if she has a respiratory infection, and can prescribe medication to help her. I can give you some things to try at home as well, but they should not take the place of seeing the vet. First, you can try starting her on an L-lysine supplement - this is an amino acid that has been shown to help the immune system fight off respiratory infections more effectively. Enisyl and Viralys are both good brands, and can be purchased over the counter without a prescription - just follow the dosing instructions on the label based on your cat's weight. If she's congested, you can also try using a humidifier or bringing her into the bathroom with the door closed while you take a hot shower - the steam and humidity help to break up congestion and temporarily relieve symptoms associated with respiratory infections. I hope this helps!

Does my cat's distemper shot prevent all upper respiratory infections?

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