Feline Vaccines

By: Gary Richter, DVM, MS

Annual vaccines for cats and dogs have been a point of much debate among the veterinary community during the past few years. The question of which vaccines and how often to vaccinate is one being contemplated by some of the foremost researchers in veterinary medicine. With this in mind, the next two weeks will be dedicated to current recommendations for vaccinating your beloved pet. The focus for this week will be cats followed by dogs next week.

Commonly administered feline vaccines are: FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia), FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus), and Rabies. FVRCP covers two of the common upper respiratory viruses seen in cats and Panleukopenia, a severe and sometimes fatal disease most commonly seen in kittens. The feline leukemia virus acts similar to HIV in that the immune system of infected cats is damaged. Rabies, as we all know, is 100% lethal to most animals including humans.

When it comes to cats, which vaccines to administer usually hinges on the lifestyle of the cat. Indoor cats are commonly vaccinated only for FVRCP and sometimes Rabies. FeLV is usually reserved for cats that venture outside.

Frequency of vaccines also depends on lifestyle. It is strongly recommended that all cats receive their initial kitten series and booster vaccines at one year of age. From there, frequency of vaccines can sometimes be stretched to every second or third year depending on the age and lifestyle of the cat. Generally speaking, the more time spent outside, the more frequently vaccines should be given due to the higher likelihood of exposure to disease.

Many veterinarians are now advocating vaccinating adult cats on an every two or three year basis. This decision has been made both due to concerns for vaccine related complications and the probability that immunity conferred by vaccines may last longer than one year.

There are a number of other feline vaccines available that are less commonly used in our area. Vaccines for diseases such as FIV, FIP, Giardia, and Ringworm are all available. Most veterinarians do not advocate the use of these vaccines under normal circumstances because of questions surrounding their efficacy and the frequency/ severity of the disease itself.

Feline vaccines are a complex issue and requirements vary from cat to cat. No vaccine protocol works for every patient. Please consult with your veterinarian about what vaccines your cat should receive and how often your cat should be vaccinated. Remember, regardless of the frequency of their vaccinations, physical exams are a crucial part of your cat's health and well-being. Have your cat examined by your veterinarian at least annually.

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