Vaccination and Vaccines Experts generally agree on what vaccines are "core" vaccines for cats, i.e., what vaccines should be given to every cat, and what vaccines are given only to certain cats (noncore). Whether to vaccinate with noncore vaccines depends upon a number of things including the age, breed and health status of the cat, the potential exposure of the cat to an animal that has the disease, the type of vaccine and and how common the disease is in the geographical area where the cat lives or may visit. In cats, the suggested core vaccines are feline panleukopenia (distemper), feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline calici virus and rabies. The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) recommends vaccinating against feline panleukopenia (distemper), feline viral rhinotracheitis, and feline calici virus every three years. But they also suggest that cats at a high risk of exposure to these diseases may benefit from more frequent vaccinations. Since vaccinating every three years does not agree with the current manufacturers?rections of vaccinating annually, when to vaccinate, and with what, must be a personal (and informed) choice for each cat owner. Consult with your veterinarian to determine what is best for your cat. The noncore vaccines include feline leukemia (FeLV), feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), ringworm and chlamydia. The AAFP recommends AGAINST FeLV vaccinations in totally indoor cats who have no exposure to other cats. FIP vaccinations should only be given to cats who have a possibility of being exposed to it through other cats. The choice to use chlamydia and ringworm vaccines is based upon the prevalence of the disease and husbandry conditions. A possible vaccination schedule for the "average" indoor house cat is shown below. Age Vaccinate for: 6 weeks 9 weeks 12 weeks 15 weeks 1 year 2 years Distemper (panleukopenia), rhinotracheitis (feline herpes-1 virus), calicivirus Distemper, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus Distemper, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus Distemper, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus Distemper, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus PLEASE NOTE: According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners, cats at low risk of disease exposure may not need to be boostered yearly for most diseases. Adult cats kept 100% indoors with no possibility of contact with other cats may be boostered every other year for certain diseases. It is the recommendation of Drs. Foster and Smith that cats that are likely to be exposed to others by going outside, showing, boarding, breeding, etc., should receive yearly boosters. Rabies vaccination should be given by your veterinarian according to local law. For those desiring protection against FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis), Drs. Foster and Smith recommend vaccinating at 16 and 19 weeks of age, and then regularly thereafter. Where Chlamydia (Pneumonitis) is a concern, we recommend vaccinating at 9, 12, and 15 weeks of age. For cats at risk of exposure to FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus), Drs. Foster and Smith recommend vaccinating at 12 and 15 weeks, then at 1 year, and then regularly thereafter. The above recommendations apply to "most" cats. Consult your veterinarian as to which vaccines are appropriate for your cat. Remember, recommendations vary depending on the age, breed, and health status of the cat, the potential of the cat to be exposed to the disease, the type of vaccine, whether the cat is used for breeding, and the geographical area where the cat lives or may visit. For more information see multiple articles in Vaccines, Vaccinations, and the Immune System. References for Vaccination and Immunology Articles Al-Sarraf, R. Update on feline vaccine-associated fibrosarcomas. Veterinary Medicine 1998: 729-35. American Association of Feline Practitioners/Academy of Feline Medicine. Recommendations for Feline Leukemia Virus Testing. The Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian. 1997:1105-7. Bell, FW. Recommendations for FeLV- and FIV-positive cats with cancer. In August, JR (ed) Consultations in Feline Internal Medicine. WB Saunders Co., Philadelphia PA; 1997:572-8. Bergman, PJ; Couto, CG; Hendrick, MJ; Macy, DW; Richards, JR: Starr, RM (contributors). Vaccine-associated feline sarcoma symposium. Sponsored by the Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force and the Arm & Hammer Division of Church & Swight Co., Inc. July 25, 1998. Brakeman, L (ed.) Researchers suspect genetic cause for vaccine site sarcomas. dvm 1998, July:1,41-45. Cole, R. Rethinking canine vaccinations. Veterinary Forum. 1998 (Jan): 52-7. Greene, CE. Immunoprophylaxis and immunotherapy. In Greene, CE (ed): Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat. WB Saunders Co., Philadelphia PA; 1998;717-750. Jarrett, O. Development of vaccines against feline leukemia virus. In Kirk, RW; Bonagura, JD (eds) Current Veterinary Therapy XI. WB Saunders Co., Philadelphia PA; 1992:457-60. Pfizer Animal Health. Duration of immunity in companion animals after natural infection and vaccination. Pfizer Animal Health; June 30, 1998. Roitt, I; Brostoff, J; Male, D. Immunology. CV Mosby Company, St. Louis, MO; 1985. Rosen, DK. Feline infectious diseases and rational vaccine protocols for immunization.Presented at the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association Convention, October 10, 1998. Schultz, RD. Current and future canine and feline vaccination programs. Veterinary Medicine. 1998; 233-253. Tizard,I; Yawei, N. Use of serologic testing to assess immune status of companion animals. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 1998:213; 54-60. Veterinary Learning Systems. Recombinant vaccine technology. Supplement to The Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian. 1997;19(2). Veterinary Learning Systems. Vaccine technology in the 21st century. Supplement to The Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian. 1998;20(8c). Information provided by PetEducation.com |
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