CAT VACCINES

KITTEN/CAT VACCINES AND VISIT SCHEDULE

Vaccine requirements and their frequency may vary for each pet depending upon the individual pet's lifestyle, age, health concerns, and risk factors. We will evaluate each pet's unique needs and then recommend an appropriate vaccine protocol for him/her.

The information below is an explanation of vaccines that are available for pets and a typical schedule of when they are administered.

Please be advised, vaccines cannot completely prevent these diseases but they do significantly lower the risk of contracting them and decrease the severity of symptoms if contracted.

Standard Feline Vaccines

FVRCP
Also referred to as the Feline Distemper vaccine, the FVRCP vaccine provides protection from the following three viruses. Vaccination is recommended for all cats.

FELINE VIRAL RHINOTRACHEITIS: This is a severe upper respiratory infection that is most dangerous to young kittens and older cats. The virus is extremely contagious to cats and is caused by a feline herpes virus. FVR can leave cats with permanent damage to their respiratory systems and eyes.

CALICIVIRUS: Causes the majority of upper respiratory infections in cats. It can cause illness ranging from a mild infection to life threatening disease. It is transmitted through direct contact with an infected cat.

PANLEUKOPENIA: Is a highly contagious disease that can severely affect a cat's digestive tract as well as other organ systems. This virus can affect unvaccinated cats of all ages with kittens being especially susceptible. Most kittens who contract this disease do not survive.

 

RABIES: Rabies is spread by exposure to blood, saliva, urine and other bodily fluids of an infected animal and is most often spread by bite wounds. Rabies is always fatal and represents a significant risk to people as well as other animals. Vaccination is required by the state of Massachusetts.

Other Available Vaccines

FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus): This virus causes severe anemia, immune deficiency and cancer in infected cats. Survival following infection is less than three years for the majority of cats. This virus is spread by close contact with the saliva and nasal secretions of infected cats, including grooming and play.
Vaccination is recommended for all cats who spend time outdoors, or who live with or may come in contact with an infected cat.

FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus): This virus leads to severe immune deficiency and the subsequent inability to prevent or respond to infection or disease. Most often spread through bites and wounds sustained during cat fights, cats that spend time outdoors are at significantly increased risk of infection.
Vaccination is recommended for cats living in close contact with an infected cat; otherwise, it is not recommended for most cats.


KITTEN VACCINE / APPOINTMENT SCHEDULE

Age: 6-8 weeks
FVRCP #1 (also called Distemper),Physical exam, Fecal/Deworming, Flea and Heartworm preventative

Age: 10-12 weeks
FVRCP #2 (also called Distemper)FeLV #1 if an outdoor cat, Physical exam, Flea and Heartworm preventative, Fecal/Deworming (if not done previously)

Age: 14-16 weeks
FVRCP #3, FeLV #2 (if an outdoor cat), Rabies, Physical exam, Flea and Heartworm preventative,
Fecal/Deworming (if not done twice previously)

 KITTENS OVER 16 WEEKS and ADULT CAT VACCINE SCHEDULE

Unvaccinated Kittens/Cats over 16 weeks old or vaccination history unknown:

FVRCP: two doses, 3-4 weeks apart
RABIES: one dose
FeLV: two doses, 3-4 weeks apart  (If an outdoor cat)

Currently Vaccinated Adult Cats:

FVRCP: yearly until 2 years of age, then once every 3 years
RABIES: yearly (Note: There is a 3 year vaccine available; however, we do not recommend it due to a higher incidence of adverse effects.)
FeLV: yearly (if an outdoor cat)