Feline Vaccinations
FVRCP
(“Distemper”) vaccine
- Rhinotracheitis
virus (“Herpes”, FHV-1)
- This
virus primarily infects the respiratory system and the eyes and is highly
contagious to all cats. Infected cats
should be isolated from non-infected cats and kept in a low stress environment
to shorten the duration of clinical signs.
Infected cats maintain the virus for life and clinical signs may recur
during times of stress.
- Clinical
signs may include: sneezing, coughing, fever, runny nose, watery eyes,
abortion, poor appetite, and depression.
- Calici
virus (FCV)
- This
virus primarily infects the respiratory system, eyes, and mouth. This virus can be transmitted directly from
cat to cat or indirectly via food/water bowls, shoes, toys, etc.
- Clinical
signs may include: poor appetite, lameness, sneezing, coughing, runny nose,
watery eyes, ulcers of tongue/mouth/nose, and fever.
- Panleukopenia
virus (FPV)
- This
virus infects rapidly dividing cells (i.e., digestive system, blood
cells). This virus can survive for years
on contaminated surfaces, but is susceptible to disinfection with a 1:32 dilution of bleach.
- Clinical
signs may include: vomiting, diarrhea, depression, poor appetite, dehydration,
abnormal body temperature, abortion, and incoordination.
- Chlamydophila felis
- This
virus primarily infects the respiratory system and eyes.
- Clinical
signs may include: sneezing, coughing, poor appetite, watery eyes, depression,
and wheezing. Infection may last for
several weeks or months.
- This
virus can infect humans.
- Vaccination
schedule
- Kittens
(≤ 16 weeks): start at 6 weeks and revaccinate every 3 weeks up to 16 weeks of
age.
- All
cats > 16 weeks: initially receive 2 doses 3 weeks apart and then booster
yearly.
Rabies
vaccine
- This
virus is shed in the saliva of wild and domestic mammals and is often
transmitted through a bite wound from an infected animal.
- Clinical
signs may include: changes in behavior, aggression, seizures, incoordination,
paralysis, and death.
- This
virus is a human health hazard.
- Vaccination
schedule
- Initial
vaccination given at ≥ 12 weeks of age and then second dose in 1 year. Booster every 3 years thereafter.
Feline
leukemia (FeLV) vaccine
- This
virus is transmitted through the saliva of infected cats via bite wounds,
grooming, or sharing of food/water bowls and litter pans. Cats that go outdoors or are in a multicat
environment are at greatest risk of this disease.
- The
main action of this virus is to suppress the immune system leading to secondary
infections that are difficult to manage.
May also induce formation of cancer.
> 50% of infected cats die within 2-3 years following infection.
- Vaccination
schedule
- Initial
vaccination given at ≥ 8 weeks of age and then second dose given 3 weeks
later. Booster yearly. FeLV testing is required before vaccination.
Feline
immunodeficiency virus (FIV)/FeLV vaccine
- FIV
is transmitted primarily through the bite wound from an infected cat. Male cats are more susceptible to infection
due to their more aggressive natures.
Cats that go outdoors or are in a multicat environment are at greatest
risk of this disease.
- The
main action of this virus is to suppress the immune system leading to secondary
infections that are difficult to manage.
FIV-positive cats may remain healthy for many years.
- Vaccination
schedule
- Initial
vaccination given at ≥ 8 weeks of age and then second dose given 3 weeks
later. Booster yearly. FeLV/FIV testing is required before
vaccination.
Vaccine
facts:
- FVRCP and Rabies vaccinations are
recommended for all cats regardless of lifestyle.
- FeLV and FIV/FeLV vaccinations
may be recommended for your cat based on lifestyle and risk of exposure.
- Following vaccination, it is not
uncommon for a cat to have a poor appetite or a decrease in activity for
approximately 24 hours.
- There may be a slight swelling at
the injection site(s) and tenderness for a few days following vaccination. If swelling progresses, is warm to the touch,
and painful this may be an indication of a vaccine-induced infection (rare). Please call us at the number above if this occurs.
- Rarely a hypersensitivity
reaction to a vaccine may occur resulting in any number of the following:
redness of the skin (particularly the ears), “hives” (numerous raised bumps on
the skin), vomiting, and diarrhea. Hypersensitivity
reactions will typically occur shortly following vaccination so it is
recommended that you observe your cat for a few hours following
vaccination. Please call us at the
number above if this occurs and be prepared to bring the cat in for a recheck
and treatment.