A There is much debate
over vaccinations in cats and the reality is that there is no ‘one size fits
all’ approach. Routine vaccination has greatly reduced the extent of several
feline diseases in the cat population, including some that can prove fatal, and
organizations such as The Cat Group strongly recommend the routine vaccination
of all cats. However, there has been recent scientific evidence to suggest that
routine annual vaccination of cats against all diseases may not be necessary.
Immunity from vaccination probably does last longer than 12 months in most
individuals, but this will vary between the diseases being vaccinated against,
the vaccines being used and the individual cats themselves. The Associated
Board of Cat Diseases (ABCD) advises that there are core and non-core vaccinations
that every cat should be assessed for. Core vaccinations for indoor cats are
comprised of Feline pan leukopenia (FPV)
or Infectious
enteritis, a severe and often fatal gut infection spread by a virus widespread
in the environment; and cat fl u, which comprises Feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) and
Feline calicivirus (FCV), for which vaccination will protect the cat against
prolonged and severe illness. These viruses are still a risk to indoor cats as
they are airborne, or easily carried inside on our shoes in the case of FPV.
Recent recommendations advise that all cats should have a primary course of
core vaccinations at nine and 12 weeks as kittens (as well as any others agreed
by your vet), followed by a booster at one year old. After that, the frequency
of booster vaccinations may be only every one to three years, depending on a
variety of factors. Cats that stay at a boarding cattery will generally require
annual vaccinations as this is a higher risk situation. Therefore discussing
this with your vet is probably the best way of tailoring a vaccination
programme to your cat’s need
.
Vaccination Recommendations for Cat
Component
|
Class
|
Efficacy
|
Length of Immunity
|
Risk/Severity of Adverse Effects
|
Comments
|
Panleukopenia
|
Core
|
High
|
> 1 year
|
Low to Moderate
|
|
Rhinotracheitis
|
Core
|
High; reduces severity and duration of disease, but does
not prevent disease or the carrier state
|
> 1 year
|
Low: may see sneezing in cats given modified live vaccine
|
Use intranasal vaccine for faster protection
|
Calicivirus
|
Core
|
Variable; reduces severity and duration of disease, but
does not prevent disease or the carrier state
|
> 1 year
|
Low: may see sneezing in cats given modified live vaccine
|
|
Rabies
|
Core
|
High
|
Dependent upon type of vaccine
|
Low to moderate; Lower for recombinant vaccines
|
|
Feline Leukemia
|
Recommended for all cats that live outside full or part
time, or those living full time inside but with exposure to outside cats.
Also suggested for all kittens.
|
Variable
|
Revaccinate annually for cats at risk
|
Vaccine-related sarcomas can develop with killed
(adjuvanted) vaccines
|
Vaccination not recommended for cats with minimal or no
risk, especially after 4 months of age; blood test prior to vaccination
|
Chlamydophila
|
Noncore
|
Low; reduces severity and duration of disease, but does
not prevent disesae or the carrier state
|
< 1 year
|
High
|
Not recommended for cats at minimal or no risk
|
Feline Infectious Peritonitis
|
Noncore
|
Low
|
Not recommended
|
||
Bordetella
|
Noncore
|
Low
|
Short
|
May be more severe in kittens
|
|
Giardia
|
Insufficient data to comment - not recommended
|
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Feline
Immunodeficiency
virus
|
Insufficient data to comment - vaccinated cats should be
permanently identified since they will likely have positive results if tested
for FIV
|
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