What are Vaccines?
Vaccines are injections or ‘shots’ given to your cat to increase their immunity against many common viruses. They contain dead or weakened versions of viruses to allow the immune system to build up its defenses to fight off the real viruses in the future.
Benefits of Vaccination
Prevention of highly contagious diseases that can cause serious illness for cats is a large benefit of vaccination. Instead of waiting to treat your cat after they get sick, vaccines help to prevent illness before it occurs. Vaccination is safe and effective.
Diseases prevented with Vaccination
- Rabies: Causes neurological illness, and is a fatal disease that can infect humans too. The Rabies vaccine is a core vaccine.
- Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV): Causes tumours or immune system damage. This is a core vaccine for cats that are younger than one year old.
- FVRCP Combo Vaccine: Feline viral rhinotracheitis is an upper respiratory infection. Calicivirus is also an upper respiratory infection. Panleukopenia is a stomach and intestinal illness. The FVRCP is a core vaccine.
Vaccination Schedule
It is important to keep up with regular vaccinations to maintain your cat’s immunity against disease.
Kitten Series
- 6 to 8 weeks: FVRCP
- 10 to 12 weeks: FVRCP booster + FeLV + Rabies
- 14 to 16 weeks: FVRCP booster + FeLV
- 6 months old: FVRCP booster
Adults
- Rabies: Initial booster is 1 year after the first dose, then every 3 years for life
- FVCRP: Every 3 years for life
- FeLV: may be given every 1-2 years depending on your cat’s risk
Vaccine Reactions
Serious reactions to vaccines are rare, but you should be aware of the signs to look out for if you cat does have an allergic reaction. Normal side effects include fatigue, decreased appetite, mild fever, lump at injection site, and usually occurs within the first 24-48 hours. Signs of a severe reaction include open-mouthed breathing, swelling of the face, severe itching of face and neck, diarrhea or vomiting, and most often occurs within 30 minutes to 2 hours.
See or call your veterinarian immediately if your cat displays any signs of a severe reaction following vaccination or if the normal vaccine side effects last for more than 48 hours.
Vaccination helps prevent disease, so keep your cat healthy with regular vaccination!
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