FVRCP (aka: 'PCR,'  'RCP,'  'upper respiratory,'  'feline distemper') includes:

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Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, a virus

Transmission of disease:
Oro-nasal, highly transmitable, aerosol
Cycle of disease:
About 14 days, can be life-threatening in kittens and compromised cats; can shed virus throughout life.
Symptoms:
Fever, discharge, coughing, sneezing, congestion, lethargy.   Can have life-long, mild symptoms.
Treatment:
Antibiotics to ward off opportunistic infections and supplemental therapies (fluids, decongestants, as needed); Interferon to boost viral response.
Testing:
Rarely done, usually diagnosed by physical symptoms and rule-out

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Calicivirus, a virus

Transmission of disease:
Oro-nasal
Cycle of disease:
Can shed life-long
Symptoms:
Oral ulcers, cold-like symptoms not as severe as FVR, can become pneumonia; can recur life-long
Treatment:
Treat symptoms, see FVR
Testing:
Rarely done, usually diagnosed by physical symptoms and rule-out

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Panleukopenia (aka: 'distemper,'  'feline parvovirus'), a virus

Transmission of disease:
Urine, feces, saliva, fleas
Cylce of disease:
Acute, lasts 5 to 7 days, prognosis guarded
Symptoms:
Fever, anorexia, lethargy, vomiting and (bloody) diarrhea; if pregnant,  may  cause  abortion  or  birth  defects
Treatment:
Treat symptoms, see FVR
Testing:
CBC (complete blood count) shows marked reduction of WBC (white blood cells); others rarely done, usually diagnosed by symptoms, CBC, and rule-out

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FVRCP are vaccinated against in one inclusive vaccine.

Type of vaccine:
modified live
Vaccine Recommendation:
Every 3-4 weeks starting at 8 weeks of age until 16 weeks old, then a booster in 1 year, then all healthy cats, every 3 years.

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Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), a retrovirus

Transmission of disease:
In utero, through milk, saliva (shared bowls, grooming one another), tears, urine and feces
Cycle of disease:
Many cats are resistant to TeLV; FeLV can remain latent for many years, during which a cat will test negative for the disease. Once the cat becomes persistently viremic, they are shedding the disease. At this point the cat is expected to live 1 to 3 years.
Symptoms:
Weight loss, anorexia, lethargy, dehydration, fever, pale mucus membranes, gingivitis, rhinitis, swollen lymph nodes, anemia, haemobartonella (infection of red blood cells).  Also inhibits immune system, leading to opportunistic pathogens and increased risk of cancer.
Treatment:
Treat symptoms only; Interferon will sometimes help develop immunity; no definitive cure
Testing:
ELISA in house, send out for IFA confirmation
Type of Vaccine:
Killed, can cause fibrosarcomas
Vaccine Recommendation:
Outdoor or social cats, two sets 3 to 4 weeks apart, then a booster in 1 year, then every 3 years

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Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), retrovirus

Transmission of disease:
Through saliva to blood; usually a bite wound
Cycle of disease:
Within 4 to 6 weeks of exposure, cat shows symptoms (stage 1), then virus becomes latent for several months to years (stage II). Terminal phase (stage III) ends the cycle.
Symptoms:
Stage 1: fever, neutropenia (low neutrophil count), lymphadenopathy (disease of lymph nodes).  Stage III: weight loss, recurrent/opportunistic  infections, gingivitis, oral lesions, anemia
Treatment:
Interferon; treat symptoms, no cure; generally a better prognosis than FeLV
Testing: ELISA in house, send out for Western Blot confirmation
Type of Vaccine:
None
Vaccine Recommendation:
N/A

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Feline Infectious Perotinits (FIP), a virus

Transmission of disease
Fecal, in utero
Cycle of disease:
Usually infects kittens 6 to 12 months of age.
Symptoms:
Vary between individuals, usually fever and weight loss, may have fluid in abdomen (ascites)
Treatment:
Interferon, steroids; treat symptoms, no cure
Testing:
Limited with inconsistent results
Type of Vaccine:
Intranasal
Vaccine Recommendation:
We generally do not recommend this vaccine; disease is generally isolated to large catteries

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Bordatella  bronchseptica, a bacterium

Transmission of disease:
Oro-nasal
Cycle of disease:
Symptoms begin 5-7 days post-exposure, usually lasting about 2 weeks.
Symptoms:
Cold-like with discharge from eyes and nose, tracheobronchitis, (pneumonia)
Treatment:
Antibiotics and cough suppressants
Testing:
Rarely done, usually diagnosed by physical symptoms and rule-out
Type of Vaccine:
Modified-live
Vaccine Recommendation:
We generally do not recommend this vaccine; efficacy is questionable

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Rabies, a virus

Transmission of disease:
Saliva to blood, generally through bite wounds; often from infected racoon, skunk, bat, or fox
Cycle of disease:
Incubation period of about 6 months, fatal within 7 to 10 days
Symptoms:
Erratic behavioral changes, incoordination, seizures, heavy salivation, paralysis, inability to swallow
Treatment:
None
Testing:
Antibody testing, post-mortem
Type of Vaccine:
killed
Vaccine Recommendation:
Outdoor cats: 2 boosters one year apart, then every 3 years

*Rabies is contagious to humans. If an animal that bites a human is clinically normal 10 days after bite, then the person won't contract rabies.  This does not mean that the animal doesn't have rabies, only that they are not shedding the virus.

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A note on adjuvant-free vaccines and fibrosarcomas:

It has been suggested that 1 in 10,000 cats vaccinated produce a vaccine-induced fibrosarcoma. Some fibrosarcomas may be associated with the use of adjuvants, or carrying agents, such as aluminum, though no research currently exists to definitely link adjuvants to fibrosarcomas. Fibrosarcomas are trauma-induced cancerous masses that quickly metastacize; they are very difficult to successfully remove.

San Francisco Pet Hospital has chosen NOT to use adjuvant-free vaccines for several reasons.

First, it has been suggested that the trauma of a needle through the skin may cause fibrosarcomas.

Secondly, no long-term efficacy studies have been performed to test how long adjuvant-free vaccines last; therefore, they must be given annually.

San Francisco Pet Hospital prefers to vaccinate as infrequently as possible while maintaining disease resistance.

Thirdly, as stated above, there is no definitive link between adjuvants and fibrosarcomas. (Vaccine-induced fibrosarcomas have not been reported in dogs.)

Research is underway to learn more about fibrosarcomas and their causes. If you have questions regarding fibrosarcomas, please ask your veterinarian at you pet's next appointment.

For our vaccination protocol, please visit Recommended Vaccination Schedule for Cats