Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 2/7/2006

Question
my friend has an 8mth old cat at home that never had any shots.  Is this dangerous for a cat that doesn't leave the house?  He just developed a branch-twig-like tip at the end of his tail.  we don't know what it could be.

Please advise.

Thank you.

Answer
Indoor cats are much less likely to be exposed to contact type of diseases, like rabies, feline leukemia, and feline immunodeficiency virus, but airborne viruses, which are very common in cats, can affect an indoor unvaccinated cat. Many of these diseases cause upper respiratory infections and ear problems in cats.