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Vaccinations

The Basics

Between nine and twelve weeks of age kittens lose the disease protection they received from their mothers.

Kittens should be vaccinated at 8-10 weeks of age and receive a booster vaccination at 12-16 weeks. Cats should receive a booster vaccination every one to three years to remain protected. Vaccination certificates will be required if you wish to board your cat at a cattery or enter your cat in a cat show.

Cats and kittens are usually vaccinated with a 3 in 1 vaccine against Feline Infectious Enteritis (FIE), Feline Calicivirus (FCV) and Feline Rhinotracheitis (FVR). These are considered the "core vaccinations". In countries where Rabies is present, Rabies is also included in the list of core vaccinations.

Cats can also be vaccinated against Chlamydia and Feline Leukemia (FeLV), but these vaccinations are not compulsory. They are non-core vaccinations. FeLV may be considered a core vaccination for cats in high risk areas such as multi-cat environments, feral cats, cats in contact with an FeLV positive cat or known or suspected exposure.

Core Vaccinations:
Feline Infectious Enteritis (FIE) (Feline Panleukopenia)
Feline Calicivirus (FCV)
Feline Rhinotracheitis (FVR) (Felid Herpesvirus-1)
Rabies

Non-core Vaccinations:
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
Feline Chlamydiosis
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

Vaccination Schedule For Cats And Kittens

Disease	Age At First Vaccination	Age At Second Vaccination	Revaccination Interval
Feline Calicivirus (FCV)	8-10 weeks	12-16 weeks	1 year, then every 3 years
Feline Rhinotracheitis (Felid Herpesvirus-1)	8-10 weeks	12-16 weeks	1 year, then every 3 years
Feline Infectious Enteritis (Panleukopenia)	8-10 weeks	12-16 weeks	1 year, then every 3 years
Rabies	12 weeks	1 year	1 to 3 years
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)	8-10 weeks	11-14 weeks	1 year
Feline Chlamydiosis	8-10 weeks	12-16 weeks	1 year
Feline Infectious Peritonitis	16 weeks	19-20 weeks	1 year

Feline Infectious Enteritis (FIE)/Feline Panleukopenia

This is a highly contagious viral disease which causes high death loss, especially among young kittens. Cats become infected either by direct or indirect contact with diseased animals. The virus attacks the intestinal tract and bone marrow causing a breakdown of the body's defense mechanisms. Clinical signs include loss of appetite, fever, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, intense depression and collapse. The cat will suffer from dehydration and although the cat appears thirsty, it will be unable to drink. Death often occurs within 24 hours. Vaccination is highly recommended for all cats.

Feline Calicivirus (FCV) and Feline Rhinotracheitis (FVR) (Felid Herpesvirus-1)

Also known as cat flu. These are highly infectious viral diseases affecting the upper respiratory tract. They account for 90% of feline respiratory disease. Infected cats often become carriers and suffer recurring bouts of illness. Carrier cats continuously (Feline Calicivirus) or intermittently (Felid Herpesvirus-1) shed the organisms for long periods of time and act as a major source of infection for other cats. Infection occurs mainly by direct contact. Clinical signs include sneezing, running eyes and nose and excessive salivation. Current vaccines minimize the severity of upper respiratory tract infections but none will prevent the disease. Vaccination is highly recommended for all cats.

Rabies

A fatal disease spread by bites or contact with the saliva of an infected animal. In countries where Rabies occurs, cats that have any access to the outdoors should be vaccinated against it. The vaccine should be given at twelve weeks of age, repeated in three to four weeks, then one year later. Following that, a booster should be given every one to three years, depending on vaccine type and local rabies vaccination requirements.

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)

This is a serious long term disease which is always fatal. The cat's immune system becomes damaged, leaving the cat susceptible to various recurrent infections of the mouth, chest, skin and bladder. The cat will not die of the disease itself, but the illness it develops due to the breakdown of the immune system. FeLV can also cause cancers of the blood and lymph systems. The virus is only spread by close contact with an infected cat. Kittens are usually vaccinated at eight and twelve weeks of age. A booster should be given one year later, then every one to three years after that, depending on your veterinarian's recommendation.

Feline Chlamydiosis

Caused by a Chlamydia organism, it is present in about 20% of cats with conjunctivitis eye infections and is often found in combination with feline rhinotracheitis and calicivirus. Symptoms include discharges from the eyes and nose. Chlamydiosis is not a common infection and is generally found in multi-cat households. There is a very small risk that the infection can be transmitted to people. Vaccination does not provide complete protection but it will reduce the severity of the disease.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)

Caused by a coronavirus. FIP is an uncommon but slowly fatal disease that causes depression, lack of appetite and a high fever. The current vaccine is administered intranasally to kittens at sixteen weeks of age, followed by a booster three to four weeks later. Cats are given an annual booster. Cats in multiple cat facilities have a much higher risk of developing FIP than most household cats. Vaccination has been useful in reducing the incidence of FIP in some multiple-cat facilities but has proven useless in others. If your cat is in a high-risk environment, discuss vaccination with your vet.

Complications Of Vaccination

Soreness At The Injection Site - The injection site may be sore for a day or two. This is more common in kittens, where the amount of vaccine is proportionally larger than for adult cats.

Temporary Signs Of Illness - Your cat or kitten may be slightly off-colour (listlessness, lack of appetite) for two to three days following vaccination.

Sarcoma - About one in ten-thousand vaccinations causes development of a cancerous tumour called a sarcoma at the injection site. The risk of completely withholding vaccination is greater than the risk of cancer.

References

Aiello SE, The Merck Veterinary Manual, New Jersey: Merck & Co, 1998

Carlson DG & Giffin JM, Cat Owners Home Veterinary Handbook, New York: Howell Book House, 1995

Tilley LP & Smith FWK, The Five Minute Veterinary Consult - Canine and Feline (2nd Edition), Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2000

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