Vaccinations are a vital part of your cat’s veterinary care that will help prevent serious disease.
Your veterinarian can help plan a vaccination program for your cat that considers your pet’s lifestyle, individual needs, and where your pet may travel to. Vaccines help to protect against specific infectious diseases by stimulating the body’s immune system to detect infection and help the body fight against infection if necessary in the future. In addition, vaccines protect people from disease, such as rabies, that can be transmitted from cats. A discussion about vaccination needs and your cat’s individual risk is a part of their routine check-up with their veterinarian. Your veterinarian is the best person to evaluate your cat’s individual needs in order to discuss which vaccines are necessary and how often they should be given to provide the best protection for your cat.
A common core protocol may include vaccines against feline panleukopenia, feline herpesvirus (rhinotracheitis), feline calicivirus, and in some cases, Chlamydia. These are highly contagious diseases that can cause serious illness and be potentially fatal.
Rabies is a fatal viral disease that attacks the brain and the nervous system and can affect both you and your cat. It can be transmitted through saliva from an infected animal, such as bats and raccoons. In many municipalities, it is mandatory that your cat be vaccinated against rabies regularly.
Feline leukemia virus is an incurable viral disease that can cause immunosuppression or cancer in cats. It is commonly transmitted from the saliva of an infected cat. Kittens are more susceptible to the virus than older cats.
Why should I test my kitten or cat for feline leukemia (FeLV) and/or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)? Your veterinarian may recommend testing your kitten or cat for FIV or FeLV infection if they become sick. If your cat goes outdoors, or fights with other cats, your veterinarian may recommend regular testing. If your cat is new to the family or you adopt another cat, testing is advised before introducing the new cat to other cats in the household. If your cat tests positive for FIV or FeLV, further tests may be recommended by your veterinarian. Even if your cat’s first test result is negative, your veterinarian may still advise repeat testing in the future.
Why repeat vaccinations are necessary? When cats are vaccinated as kittens, the immunity they receive will not protect them for the rest of their lives. To maintain protection, regular booster vaccinations are required for adult cats. Your veterinarian will let you know what the recommended interval is depending on the specific vaccine, and the lifestyle and risk factors of your cat.
The health information contained herein are provided for educational purposes only and are not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a healthcare provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient.