Vaccination is not a one-size-fits-all
endeavor, and recommendations depend on a cat's age, lifestyle and
overall health. The best person to determine which vaccines are
necessary is a veterinarian who is familiar with your cat and the incidence
of feline diseases in your part of the country.
That said, guidelines are available to help make sure that cats
get the vaccines they need but are not over-vaccinated. The following
is a summary of which feline diseases have commonly available vaccines
and the cats that should routinely receive them. If your pet has
had a severe adverse reaction to a particular vaccine, is ill or very
aged, or has an out-of-the-ordinary lifestyle, your veterinarian may
alter his or her recommendations accordingly.
"Determining when to vaccinate a cat
is almost as confusing as deciding what to vaccinate her against, but
some general rules do apply."
All cats should be vaccinated against:
- Rabies
- Panleukopenia (also called
distemper)
- Herpesvirus (also called
rhinotracheitis)
- Calicivirus
Protection against the last three of
these diseases is often combined into a single inoculation called FVRCP,
which stands for feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia.
Cats that go outside or live with a
cat with feline leukemia should be vaccinated against the feline leukemia
virus (FeLV). A vaccine that offers some protection against feline
immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is also available and is worth considering
for cats that live with or are likely to fight with an FIV positive
individual. However, cats test positive for this fatal disease
after receiving the vaccine, which can complicate their future medical
care.
Many other vaccines are available but
should only be considered under special circumstances.
It is also important to note that some
older types of feline rabies and leukemia vaccines have been associated
with the development of an aggressive form of cancer at injection sites.
New vaccines have been developed that appear to be much safer, so ask
your veterinarian which type he or she routinely uses.
Vaccination Schedules
Determining when to vaccinate a cat
is almost as confusing as deciding what to vaccinate her against, but
some general rules do apply. Kittens usually need their first
vaccines at seven to eight weeks of age and then should return to the
veterinarian's office for boosters every three to four weeks until
they are 16 weeks of age. Most kittens need at least three FVRCP
vaccines, two leukemia vaccines and one rabies vaccine during these
visits to be protected for a full year. Kittens and young cats
should generally be vaccinated against feline leukemia because this
is when they are most susceptible to the disease and it is sometimes
difficult to know whether or not a cat will be 100% indoor-only when
it is young.
The next vaccine visit should occur
approximately one year after the last kitten shots were given.
During this appointment your cat will usually receive boosters for all
the vaccines that she received as a kitten, unless her risk factors
have changed. From this point on, some vaccines can be boosted
every three years while others may require annual revaccination.
If you adopt an adult cat with an unknown
vaccination history, she should see the veterinarian two times, three
to four weeks apart for her initial vaccines and boosters. Then,
she can continue with the regular adult cat revaccination schedule.
Regardless of their vaccine needs, all cats should be examined by a
veterinarian at least once a year.
The above is provided for information purposes only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of any condition.
This information does not cover all possible variables, conditions, reactions, or risks relating to any topic, medication, or product and should not
be considered complete. Certain products or medications may have risks and you should always consult your local veterinarian concerning the treatment of
your pet. Any trademarks are the property of their respective owners.