Cat Vaccinations 

Vaccines Cats Should Have and When to Get Them

Vaccines against infectious diseases have done much to reduce sickness and death in companion animals, and vaccination is the cornerstone of preventive veterinary medicine.  As with any medical procedure or decision, the advantages must be balance against the risks. Some available vaccines can increase your cat's longevity and improve the quality of her life. Others are not necessary. There are three vaccines that are recommended by all veterinarians. Additional vaccines are only needed if the cat is at risk for certain diseases. Outdoor cats need more vaccinations than indoor cats because they are exposed to more viruses when they interact with other animals.

Vaccines All Cats Should Have (Core Vaccines)

All cats should get vaccinations against the following common diseases:

Panleukopenia virus (distemper)

Feline calicvirus (FCV)

Feline herpes virus (rhinotracheitis)

These are typically given in a combined vaccine when kittens are about 8 weeks old, followed by a booster shot a year later. After the initial series cats will only need vaccinations every 3 years. 

Non-Core Vaccines

 Non-core vaccines are a good idea if your cat wanders the neighborhood or is used as a breeding animal. It is at risk for certain diseases. Such vaccinations include:

Rabies Vaccine - is usually given at 4 to 6 months to cats that wander outside and come in contact with roaming animals. In California it is not a required vaccine, but other states and foreign countries may require it.

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) — first vaccinations are given at 9 and 12 weeks of age, with  a booster in one year than at 3 year intervals. Cats should receive this vaccination if they are allowed to go outside, if they mingle with large numbers of cats, if they live in a household with a FeLV-infected cat, or they live in a household where the infectious status of other cats is unknown. Indoor cats that live alone or with cats that do not have FeLV do not need this vaccine.

 Feline chlamydiosis This vaccine is only necessary if the cat is at high risk of infection due to living among other infected cats. It is caused byChlamydophila felis (a respiratory pathogen, formerly called Chlamydia)

Vaccinations That Are Not Recommended For Most Cats

Vaccinations that are available but not recommended by the American Association of Feline Practitioners Feline Vaccine Advisory Panel are:

 Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)—the vaccine is not very effective. The infection is caused by a mutation of the feline corona virus. The disease itself is caused by an ineffective immune response. The mutation to a form of virus that can cause FIP is more likely to occur in a cat that is  immune-compromised. Many cats with FIP are under age 1 year (their immaturity being their immune-compromise). Crowding is also an important source of immune-compromise. Another important factor in mutation is multiple exposure/infections. When cats keep getting reinfected the virus they carry has more chance of mutating to a form that causes FIP.

Giardia Vaccine Because there is insufficient information regarding this vaccine’s ability to prevent the disease we are reluctant to recommend it.

Ringworm vaccine has been available for several years, but it is rarely used. The vaccine does not prevent cats from being infected with ringworm. The vaccine, however, does temporarily reduce the clinical signs of ringworm. Used alone, it is ineffective for treatment, but may be useful if combined with topical and systemic therapy.

Feline immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Although the vaccine is sometimes given to  cats in the high risk group, the effectiveness of the vaccine is not 100 percent and pets that are tested for FIV after vaccination will always test positive. This matter is of great concern to pet owners as lost cats that are found FIV positive may be euthanized.