Recent advances in veterinary medical science have resulted in an increase in the number and type of vaccines that are available for use in cats, and improvements are continuously being made in their safety and efficacy. Veterinarians routinely recommend certain vaccines for all cats (called ‘core’ vaccines) whereas others are used more selectively according to circumstances. However, in all cases the selection of the correct vaccination program for each individual cat, including the frequency of repeat, or booster, vaccinations, requires professional advice.
At this time, “core” Vaccines, as recommended by the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) for all kittens and cats, include:
1. Feline panleukopenia, FPV or FPL (also called feline infectious enteritis or feline distemper) caused by FPL virus or feline parvovirus (FPLV)
2. Feline viral rhinotracheitis, FVR caused by FVR virus, also known as herpes virus type 1, FHV-1
3. Feline caliciviral disease caused by various strains of Feline caliciviruses, FCV
4. Rabies caused by Rabies virus
“Non-core” or discretionary vaccines, as recommended by the AAFP for kittens and cats with a realistic risk of exposure to specific diseases:
1. Feline chlamydiosis caused by Chlamydophila felis infection
2. Feline leukemia disease complex caused by Feline leukemia virus (FeLV)
3. Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) caused by FIP virus or Feline Coronavirus
4. Bordetellosis caused by the bacterium Bordetella bronchiseptica
5. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
Vaccines that are not recommended by the AAFP, but that may be appropriate under certain conditions include:
1. Giardiasis caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia lamblia
2. Ringworm
What is the difference between the various types of vaccines?
There are three major types of vaccine:
1. Modified live vaccines- these vaccines contain live organisms that are weakened (attenuated) or genetically modified so that they will not produce disease but will multiply in the cat’s body. Live vaccines induce a stronger, longer lasting immunity than inactivated vaccines. It is not advisable to use modified live vaccines in pregnant queens or cats whose immune system is not working properly (cats infected by feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), etc.).
2. Killed (inactivated) vaccines – these vaccines are prepared using fully virulent organisms or genetically modified organisms that have been killed by various treatments. Because, on their own, they do not give as high a level of protection as the live, replicating type of vaccine, killed vaccines may have an ‘adjuvant’ added to enhance immune stimulation.
3. Subunit vaccines – these are more commonly called recombinant-DNA vaccines. These are vaccines in which the infectious organism has been broken apart and only certain parts are included in the vaccine. In some cases, this is achieved by using genetic engineering techniques prior to the fragmentation.
Many vaccines come as combinations, so that protection against more than one disease is achieved in a single injection or administration. Some vaccines are intranasal (or given by drops into the nose) but the majority are given by injection. Your veterinarian will advise you on the most appropriate vaccines for your cat.
When should my kitten be vaccinated?
Generally, kittens are vaccinated for the first time at between six and eight weeks of age and booster doses are given at ten to twelve weeks and sometimes again at fourteen to sixteen weeks. A kitten will not be fully protected until seven to ten days after the second vaccination. Under specific circumstances, your veterinarian may advise an alternative regime.
How often should booster vaccinations be given?
In the past, veterinarians recommended booster vaccinations for cats on a yearly basis. However, as research into vaccines progresses, recommendations for frequency of boosters continue to evolve. The appropriate interval for boosters will vary with individual circumstances.
Most adult cats that received the full booster series of vaccines as kittens should be re-vaccinated every one to three years based on lifestyle risk assessment. That is, if your cat is at higher risk for realistic exposure to a disease, the more frequent vaccination may be recommended. It is important to thoroughly discuss your cat’s lifestyle with your veterinarian and determine the appropriate vaccinations and vaccination schedule for your cat.
The AAFP vaccination guidelines recommend that low-risk adult cats be vaccinated every three years for the “core” vaccines and then as determined by your veterinarian for any “non-core” vaccinations. Some vaccine manufacturers have developed approved three-year vaccines for many of the core antigens. It is important to note that feline leukemia virus (FeLV) vaccine is recommended by some AAFP members to be a “core” vaccine while other experts classify it as a “non-core” vaccine. Your veterinarian is the ultimate authority on how your cat should be vaccinated. Make an appointment with one of our veterinarians today.
