Vaccines for Cats

Vaccines for Cats

At Cats Limited, we strictly follow vaccine guidelines developed by the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) ( www.catvets.com ). Although there are a number of vaccines available for cats, we carry and recommend only three for our patients. All of the vaccines we use are made for cats only, are non-adjuvanted and are made by Merial. We believe they are the safest, most effective vaccines and we give these to our own pets, following the same guidelines outlined below.

The AAFP recommends that all cats be vaccinated against Rabies and Distemper (FVRCP). They recommend the feline leukemia vaccine only for at-risk cats (i.e. cats that go outside, and cats exposed to Feline Leukemia positive and untested cats). Other available vaccines are not recommended by AAFP or our hospital. Please visit their website for further information:

Rabies Vaccine

Our hospital uses the Merial PUREVAX® feline annual rabies vaccine to protect cats against the rabies virus. This vaccine is approved and safe to give to cats as young as 8 weeks of age. Unlike the older, multi-species 3 year adjuvanted rabies vaccine, this vaccine is not adjuvanted, reducing the risk for vaccine reactions.

This vaccine is required by state law for all cats 3 months and older.

Rabies virus is a fatal infection typically transmitted through bite wounds, open cuts in the skin or onto mucus membranes (i.e. saliva). There is no treatment available once your cat is infected with rabies. This virus has very real and serious human and pet implications.

Some cat owners feel that indoor cats do not need to be vaccinated against rabies. All cats, including indoor cats, are required to be vaccinated against rabies. Some points to consider: (1) There is a small, but real potential for rabies to enter your household. Wildlife such as bats, raccoons or skunks may bring the virus into your house and expose your cat to rabies. (2) There is a legal liability should an unvaccinated cat bite or scratch a person. (3) Rabies is a fatal disease for both humans and pets. In the first 3 months of 2009, there were 59 documented cases of animals with rabies in Connecticut; 12 of them in Hartford County.

For more information on Rabies in Connecticut, see the information page from the Torrington Area Health District. http://www.tahd.org/rabies.htm.

FVRCP (Distemper) Vaccine
Our hospital uses the Merial PUREVAX® feline FVRCP vaccine to protect cats against three highly contagious viruses, which are easily passed between cats: feline herpesvirus, feline calicivirus and feline panleukopenia. The initial kitten series includes vaccine administration every 3-4 weeks with the last vaccine administered after 16 weeks of age. The vaccine is administered again at 1 year of age and then every 3 years.

Feline Herpesvirus (Feline Rhinotracheitis)

Clinical signs are associated with upper respiratory infection signs such as sneezing and discharge from the eyes and/or nose. This virus can become latent (inactive) in some cats. These “carrier” cats may have long term infections that reactivate in times of stress or with treatment that suppresses the immune system.

Feline Calicivirus

Clinical signs include respiratory signs (sneezing, eye discharge, nasal discharge), oral ulcers , anorexia, and joint pain (lameness and/or stiffness).

Fel ine Panleukopenia (feline Distemper virus)
This virus most commonly attacks the intestine, bone marrow and brain and can cause severe disease, including death. Clinical signs may include severe diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, fever, lethargy and anorexia. The immune system is often compromised, resulting in secondary infections. This virus is very resistant in the environment and may survive for over a year.

FeLV (Feline Leukemia) Vaccine

Our hospital uses the Merial PUREVAX® FeLV vaccine to protect cats against the feline leukemia virus. Unlike traditional vaccines that are administered under the skin with a needle, this vaccine is administered with the Vet Jet transdermal system directly into the skin. Recently, the AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners) has recommended vaccinating all kittens against FeLV in their first year of life. After the initial kitten series (2 vaccinations 3-4 weeks apart), this vaccine is only administered to cats that spend any amount of time outdoors or are exposed to FeLV positive or untested cats on an annual basis. A FeLV test should be performed prior to vaccination.

Feline leukemia is a significant cause of illness and death in cats. The feline leukemia virus is spread through mutual grooming, sharing food or water dishes, or biting. Survival time for cats infected with FeLV ranges from 6 months to 3 years after infection. Clinical signs associated with a viral infection are not specific and may include immune-mediated diseases, tumors, bone marrow disorders including anemia, and secondary infections.

Vaccine Reactions

We use the safest vaccines currently available to the veterinary profession. We have chosen the above vaccines and follow the current AAFP Vaccine Guidelines to (1) minimize the number of vaccines we are administering to our patients and (2) to minimize the number of side effects to our patients. Even with our best intentions, a very few number of cats may still have a vaccine reaction. Below is a summary of these reactions and what you should monitor. If your cat has had a vaccine reaction, we will need to tailor a specific vaccine protocol for your individual cat to help avoid such reactions in the future. Please call us if you notice any of these reactions.

Mild vaccine reactions, if they occur, may last for a couple of days after the vaccine is administered and may include:

1. Mild decrease in activity
2. Mild pain or soreness at the injection site
3. Mild decrease in appetite
4. A small lump at the injection site

Severe vaccine reactions may occur within a few minutes to a few hours after vaccine administration. If you notice any of these severe vaccine reactions, veterinary attention is required IMMEDIATELY.

1. Vomiting / Diarrhea
2. Fever
3. Difficulty breathing
4. Swelling of the face
5. Profound lethargy