SolveYourProblem.com Article Series: Cat Care
Cat Care Tips
Your
Cat’s Vaccination Timetable
A vaccine is a substance that is made from dead or living
pathogens. It is injected into the body through inoculation
(intranasal versions have also recently been developed),
which causes the body to create antibodies and, therefore,
makes your cat immune to getting the disease in the future.
What vaccines does your cat need, and on what timeline? What
are the most common vaccines and what special vaccines may
be needed? Find out more about common vaccines, some of the
risks, and the appropriate timeframe for getting vaccines to
keep your cat healthy.
Vaccines
Several years ago, the VAFSTF (Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcoma
Task Force) published a list of vaccines that were highly recommended
for all cats. These included:
- Feline Panleukopenia Virus Vaccine (aka “Feline Distemper”)
- Feline Calicivirus
- Rhinotracheitis AKA Feline Herpes Virus
- Rabies Vaccine
While the vaccines above are recommended for the health of
all cats, others are more dangerous and present a higher risk
of adverse reactions. For this reason, they are recommended
only in certain instances. These vaccines include:
Chlamydiosis: Appropriate for households with multiple cats
or where chlamydiosis infections have been confirmed, after
vet consultation.
Feline
Infectious Peritonitis (FIP): A controversial vaccine,
the AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners) currently
recommends against its use.
Bordetella: A recently-approved vaccine is not yet ready for
common use, but may be used for multiple-cat environments on
a case-by-case basis.
Gardiasis: This vaccine is in a similar state to that for
Bordetella, being too new for general use but can be approved
when exposure is clinically significant.
There are many different times when vaccination may not be
appropriate, depending on your cat’s health situation. Cats
that probably should not be vaccinated include: sick cats (particularly
those with weakened immune systems or chronic disease), those
receiving cortisone therapy, or kittens under six weeks unless
in extreme conditions. Cats over 10 years old typically do
not need booster shots. Finally, it is believed that pregnant
queens may experience stillbirths as a result of some vaccines.
No matter what the situation, always consult a variety of
sources and talk with your veterinarian before making vaccination
decisions.
Timeline
Kittens are usually first inoculated between six and eight
weeks of age. This first round of shots consists of the FVRCP,
which can be a three-in-one shot and vaccinates against feline
viral rhinotracheitis (FVR), calicivirus, and panleukopenia
virus. A booster round of shots is administered three to four
weeks later and booster rounds continue until twelve weeks
of age. Rabies shots, however, are not given until twelve weeks
of age at the earliest.
If you adopt an older kitten or cat, their initial vaccinations
are normally given in one does or two doses that are three
to four weeks apart. One dose is given when the vaccine is
an MLV, or two doses of a killed virus vaccine are recommended.
Once your cat has been vaccinated, they are usually put on
an annual schedule of vaccinations. It is important for you,
the pet owner, to keep track of vaccinations. Although your
vet’s office will keep records and do their best to remind
you, it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure your cat’s
best health.
More recently, pet owners and veterinarians have been forgoing
an annual vaccination scheme, due to fears about Vaccine-Related
Sarcoma. This condition is most often caused by the rabies
or FeLV vaccines. Vaccine-related sarcomas occur when cancerous
tumors grow at the site of a vaccination. A small, painless
lump often develops at the site of a vaccination; in rare cases,
however, it progresses to a sarcoma. Pet owners are encouraged
to check a vaccination site for several months after the vaccination,
and schedule a vet appointment if the swelling has become a
solid lump.
If your cat is an animal that spends all his time indoors,
forgoing annual vaccinations may be a possibility. However,
in general this tactic is not recommended and should only be
considered under extenuating circumstances. Even if your cat
will not be getting annual vaccinations, you should still bring
him in for a check-up and testing. Be sure to thoroughly research
any vaccination-related decisions and discuss the advantages
and disadvantages with your veterinarian.
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