A QUICK GUIDE TO cat vaccines

Q:

I’m a big cat lover and have two at home. However, I am not sure which vaccines are necessary for them. What’s the difference between core and noncore vaccines? Are there side effects? Basically, I need a bit of an education when it comes to feline vaccinations.

A:

We are always happy to answer this type of question, as it shows just how much you care about the health and safety of your pets. So, let’s dive in. In a nutshell, most vaccines provide protection against viruses by exposing the cat to whole or parts of an inactivated virus. The cat’s immune system reacts to the vaccine by producing antibodies that are then readily available if the cat encounters the true virus.

It is most important to vaccinate against serious or deadly viruses, and vaccines have saved many cats’ lives. However, vaccines can have side effects, so your veterinarian will weigh the risks and benefits to determine which vaccines your cats should receive. In general, vaccination recommendations are based on these factors:

The age of the cat

What the cat is exposed to (for example, whether she lives solely indoors or goes outside)

Local laws (in the case of rabies)

Core vaccines

Core vaccines are those that are recommended for all cats. And the following are core vaccines as outlined by the American Association of Feline Practitioners:

Feline panleukopenia: This deadly disease affects the gastrointestinal tract and bone marrow. Sadly, even with hospitalization and intensive care, many infected cats die from this disease. The virus is shed in the feces, and it is long-lived in the environment. Your cat can acquire it outside, or you can bring it home on your shoes or clothing.

Feline herpesvirus: This virus causes conjunctivitis, corneal (eye) ulcers and nasal congestion. It is not generally lifethreatening, but once a cat is infected with herpes, he remains infected for life. Stress or illness can cause a flare-up of upper respiratory signs.

Feline calicivirus: The most common symptoms of the calicivirus are nasal congestion and tongue ulcers, which can make it difficult for a cat to eat. While they are sick, many cats need supportive care, such as fluids injected under the skin and supplemental feeding via a syringe or feeding tube.

Rabies: Not only uniformly fatal to cats, rabies can also be infectious to humans and other mammals. Rabies vaccination is required by law in most areas of the United States.

Non-core vaccines

In addition to the above, vaccination against the feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is highly recommended (but not considered core) for cats and kittens who go outside, or those who may meet cats who have not been tested for FeLV. It’s a retrovirus, which means that the virus inserts itself into the cat’s DNA. If infected, some cats may clear the infection; others remain infected for life.

The virus can cause cancer, autoimmune diseases, bone marrow suppression and neurologic disease. Many cats, though, do not show symptoms for months or years after infection. Transmission occurs via direct contact — such as grooming, shared litter boxes and shared food bowls — with a FeLV-positive cat.

There are many other vaccines on the market that may be recommended by your veterinarian based on your cat’s lifestyle and particular situation. These can include vaccines to protect against chlamydophila, FIV and coronavirus. These are

not recommended for every cat but may be useful in certain circumstances, so they are categorized under the label of non-core vaccines.

All in one

Protection against panleukopenia, herpes and calici are included in one vaccine called FVRCP (the abbreviation for feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia). A kitten receives two or three FVRCP vaccines, based on age. One of these needs to be given when the cat is at least 16 weeks old. The rabies and FeLV vaccines are given separately.

In the sidebar above, you’ll see a general vaccination schedule for a cat’s first year. Do keep in mind that the vaccinations given may vary based on the previously listed factors as well as your veterinarian’s recommendations. Vaccines are needed at least every three years after age four, but this schedule may vary depending on the product administered and veterinarian preference. One exception is FeLV; a booster for that virus needs to be given every year. Your best bet is to talk to your vet to create the optimal schedule for your cat.

About side effects

After a cat receives a vaccination, it is normal for him to be a little quieter for the rest of the day, but typically he’s back to normal the next day. Some cats may have pain and swelling at the vaccination site that resolves after a few days.

Allergic reaction and tumor formation are more serious side effects. Signs of an allergic reaction can include vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory difficulty and hives. If you think your cat may be having an allergic reaction, please seek veterinary care immediately. Regarding tumors, it’s very rare but a vaccine-associated sarcoma can develop at the vaccination site. These tumors tend to be very aggressive, invading the underlying tissue. It is estimated that one tumor will develop for every 10,000 doses of vaccine administered. It’s an extremely low risk, but one that veterinarians take very seriously when weighing the risks and benefits of vaccines.

In summary, there are many feline diseases that threaten the health of pet cats and vaccination is a key tool to help protect them. And while we hope that we’ve given you a lot of useful information about vaccines, please be sure to talk to your veterinarian to create the plan that’s best for your feline friends. Above all, thanks for caring so deeply about your cats.

There are many feline diseases that threaten the health of pet cats and vaccination is a key tool to help protect them.