"ALL ABOUT FELINE VACCINES"
Information Provided By:
Monte Gulzow, DVM
Pet Care Forum Staff Vet
DnvrCATDOC


Pudgy. Active. Playful. Inquisitive.

Looking at your new kitten today, you would think it had no worries in the world. However, the first few months of a kitten's life are fraught with peril. With a little help from your veterinarian, you can make this time a little less dangerous. Proper nutrition, spaying or neutering, and vaccinations can help your cat live a long life.

With the number of different vaccines available, cat owners can easily get confused about what vaccines to get and when to get them. Don't be embarrassed; even veterinarians can often disagree on these points. Here are a few guidelines to help you decide. Remember that the ultimate authority for your cat's health is your own veterinarian.

Recently there has been an increase in the controversy about feline vaccines. As a result, the American Association of Feline Practitioners held a symposium which divided vaccines into "core", which are general ones that every cat must get, and "non-core", which are needed in specific cases. Core vaccines include those for distemper, rhinotracheitis, and rabies.

Distemper (panleukopenia) is a parovirus. Paroviruses are strong and hard to kill. They can live for long periods in the environment and can even survive freezing over the winter. Feline Distemper is easily transmitted from cat to cat either directly or indirectly. Anywhere from 50% to 90% of the cats who get feline distemper will die from the infection, or from complications of the virus. Even though most cat owners vaccinate for it, it is still a very common disease among feral cats. Common signs are vomiting, lack of appetite, and diarrhea which is sometimes bloody. Death occurs due to dehydration or because the cells that fight infection are destroyed, allowing a secondary infection.

Rhinotracheitis (herpes) and calicivirus are common upper respiratory viruses. They are easily transmitted by sneezing, and are very contagious. Although these viruses are not usually fatal by themselves, they can allow secondary infections to occur which can be fatal. They can also cause anorexia, which leads to total starvation. Rhinotracheitis can cause eye problems. As with other herpes viruses, it can come back in times of stress.

Since there is a possibility that people can get rabies from animals, that vaccine is required by law. Any warm-blooded animal can be infected and contagious. Bats, raccoon, foxes, and skunks are the most common. Cats, being predators and curious by nature, can come into contact with any of the aforementioned animals and be bitten easily, passing on the rabies disease. There is no cure for rabies. If an animal is showing the signs of rabies, it is going to die. Vaccines are for prevention only, and do not work after the fact, so your pet must be vaccinated before exposure.

Recommendations on the timing for these vaccines in kittens vary between veterinarians, among vaccine-producing companies, and by regional area. A typical timetable is for distemper and upper respiratory vaccines to be given at 8 weeks (about 2 months) and 12 weeks (about 3 months) of age. The series is not to get higher and higher levels of protection. When a kitten nurses for the first time, it gets some immunity from its mother. However, we don't know how much, or how long it lasts. The series helps fill in the gaps that may occur. Since some kittens may lose immunity between 6 and 8 weeks of age, the first vaccine helps protect them. By 12 weeks, most kittens have lost the protection given to them by their mother, and they need the vaccine to protect them. In rare cases, the immunity lasts longer, in which case the cat needs an extra vaccine. An initial rabies vaccine is given to kitten the first year, as early as 3 months or as late as 6 months. Depending on the vaccine, a booster shot is then given every 1 to 3 years afterwards.

Non-core vaccines are needed depending on the cat's lifestyle. The need for such vaccines should be discussed with your veterinarian. Some common non-core vaccines are feline leukemia (outdoor cats are particularly at risk), feline infections peritonitis, and ringworm.

Feline leukemia -- or FeLV -- is a virus that suppresses the immune system, causing cancer in the blood. It is spread by bites and by licking wounds. It is spread from pet to pet (or other outdoor animals). A cat that picks up FeLV will eventually die from it, but can conceivably live a few years if given the proper care. Cats who need FeLV vaccines are either half indoor / half outdoor, 100% outdoor, or an indoor who lives with, boards near, or is in shows with other pets who have feline leukemia. The only cats who do not need FeLV vaccines are those who are 100% indoors and are not in contact with other animals.

Feline infectious peritonitis -- or FIP -- is a coronavirus and a fatal disease in symptomatic cats. The most common presentation of this illness, the wet form, is fluid in filled body spaces like the abdomen and chest. It can also be in dry form, though. The use of the FIP vaccine in most cats is questionable. The relatively small number of cats who get FIP and the actual effectiveness of the vaccine may limit its use to cats who are at high risk of exposure or cats who may have already been exposed to it.

Microsporum -- or ringworm -- is a fungus. It is spread via contact with the spores. This may include direct contact to skin, or contact with objects that have spore on them. Vaccination for this is usually limited to cats with a chronic problem or to catteries who have a history of ringworm.

All of the above are just generalities. Your veterinarian will help you decide the correct vaccines and timetable that is most appropriate for your cat. ALL cats need a yearly exam from a vet. Physical exams help determine what vaccines or other preventatives are needed for your specific cat. Regular exams are the best preventative medicine for your feline friends!