I’ve wondered about the vaccinations vets want to give our cats. Some vets advocate several vaccinations, others suggest less. So the question is, what are these vaccines, and do our cats really need them?
Vaccination recommendations not updated annually
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) update their recommended feline vaccinations every seven years — seven years! The most current update occurred in 2020. Prior updates were in 2013 and 2006. These updates are intended as guidelines for veterinarians, but I want to know what they are. Don’t you?
What you need to consider
- whether your cat is an indoor or an outdoor cat: it can determine what diseases your cat is likely to be exposed to
- what vaccinations are core — meaning recommended for all cats
- is it for a potentially fatal disease
- what vaccinations are non-core — meaning optional
- does the vaccine have serious side effects?
- giving your cat a title test: a blood test that determines the presence of antibodies that develop in response to the vaccine.
note: The titular test will determine if your cat has a functional immune response from a vaccine or possible immunity from contact with other cats, otherwise, your cat has gotten the toxicity of the vaccine but none of the benefit. This may help you decide whether and what vaccines to give your cat.
core vaccinations for cats 1 year and older
- FPL (Feline panleukopenia)* also known as feline infectious enteritis or feline distemper, caused by FPL virus or feline parvovirus (FPLV).
- FVR (Feline viral rhinotracheitis), also known as herpes virus type 1 (FHV-1) caused by FVR virus.
- FCV (Feline Caliciviral) caused by various strains of feline caliciviruses.
- Rabies**
notes: *Changed from parvovirus to panleukopenia in 2013 (in cats, parvo causes panleukopenia).
**Vaccination against rabies is essential in regions where it is required by statute/law or where the virus is endemic.
non-core vaccinations for cats 1 year and older
- FeLV (for cats older than 1 year)
- Chlamydia felis, an upper respiratory disease caused by bacteria, found in shelters, pet shops or colonies.
- Bordetella bronchiseptica, another upper respiratory disease caused by bacteria and also found in cats in shelters, pet shops or colonies.
FP (Feline panleukopenia), also known as feline distemper, is a highly contagious viral disease among cats. After 1 year of age, the need for subsequent vaccination is determined by your cat’s risk factors. The virus doesn’t infect people.
Here’s something else to pay attention to: sarcomas. What is that? A cancerous tumor. A vaccine sarcoma can occur weeks or even years later. Feline rabies vaccine and the feline leukemia virus (FeLV) vaccine are the main culprits. Prior to the 1990s, cats were typically vaccinated between the shoulders. By 2013, researchers realized that by administrating vaccines in the tail was less disfiguring if a sarcoma developes.
in conclusion, make an educated decision about vaccinating your cat. To state the obvious, if you choose not to give your cat a particular vaccination, or any vaccinations, and your cat is exposed to the disease he/she isn’t vaccinated for, your cat could get sick or even die. Meanwhile, cats who are exclusively indoor cats are mostly protected via their lifestyle, and receiving a vaccination can create it’s own risk. It is critical to weigh benefits vs. risks.
my kitty care does not endorse any product discussed on The Scratching Post, nor does my kitty care receive payments, or any form of compensation from any company or product on my kitty care.
