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
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 calicivirus, and
rabies.
The American Association of Feline
Practitioners (AAFP) recommends vaccinating
against feline panleukopenia (distemper),
feline viral rhinotracheitis, and feline
calicivirus 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’ directions 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.
AVMA Vaccination
Recommendations for Cats
|
Component |
Class |
Efficacy |
Length of Immunity |
Risk/Severity of Adverse Effects |
Comments |
|
Panleukopenia |
Core |
High |
> 1
year |
Low
to Moderate |
Use caution with
intranasal
modified live
virus (MLV) vaccines
in stressed kittens |
|
Rhinotracheitis |
Core |
High; may not
prevent infection or
carrier
state |
> 1
year |
Moderate; MLV vaccine can cause carrier
state |
Use
killed vaccine in catteries where
respiratory disease is not a problem;
use intranasal vaccine for faster
protection |
|
Calicivirus |
Core |
Variable; may not prevent infection or
carrier state |
> 1
year |
Higher for MLV vaccines that can cause
carrier state |
Killed vaccines prevent acute signs of
disease and do not cause carrier state |
|
Rabies |
Core |
High |
Dependent upon type of vaccine |
Low
to moderate |
|
|
Feline Leukemia |
Core
for all cats that live outside full or
part time, or those living full time
inside but with exposure to outside cats |
Variable |
Revaccinate annually |
Vaccine-related sarcomas can develop |
Vaccination not recommended for cats
with minimal or no risk, especially
after 4 months of age; blood test prior
to vaccination |
|
Chlamydia |
Noncore |
Low |
< 1
year |
High |
Not
recommended for cats at minimal or no
risk |
|
Feline Infectious Peritonitis |
Noncore |
Low |
|
|
|
|
Dermatophytosis (Ringworm) |
Noncore |
Low |
|
|
|
|
Bordetella |
Noncore |
Low |
Short |
May
be more severe in kittens |
|
|
Giardia |
Insufficient data to comment |
|
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus |
Insufficient data to comment |
A
possible vaccination schedule for the
'average' indoor house cat is shown below.
|
Cat
Vaccination Schedule |
|
Age |
Vaccination |
|
7 weeks |
Combination Vaccine* |
|
10
weeks |
Combination vaccine
Chlamydia (Pneumonitis):
include in combination vaccine where it is
a concern.
Feline Leukemia (FeLV):
for kittens at risk of exposure to feline
leukemia virus. |
|
12
weeks or older |
Rabies: Given by your
local veterinarian (age at vaccination may
vary according to local law). |
|
13
weeks |
Combination vaccine
Chlamydia (Pneumonitis):
include in combination vaccine where it is
a concern.
FeLV: for kittens at risk
of exposure to feline leukemia virus. |
|
16 & 19
weeks |
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP):
for kittens at risk of exposure to feline
infectious peritonitis. |
|
Adult
(boosters)** |
Combination vaccine
Chlamydia (Pneumonitis):
include in combination vaccine where it is
a concern.
FeLV: for cats at risk of
exposure to feline leukemia virus.
FIP: for cats at risk of
exposure to feline infectious peritonitis.
Rabies: Given by your
local veterinarian (time interval between
vaccinations may vary according to law). |
|
*A combination vaccine includes feline
distemper, rhinotracheitis, and
calicivirus. Some may also include
chlamydia.
**According to the American
Veterinary Medical Association and the
American Association of Feline
Practitioners, cats at low risk of disease
exposure may not need to be boostered
yearly for most diseases. Consult with
your local veterinarian to determine the
appropriate vaccination schedule 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. |
References and Further
Reading
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. W.B.
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. W.B. 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. W.B.
Saunders Co. Philadelphia, PA; 1992:457-60.
Klingborg, DJ; Hustead, DR; Curry-Galvin, EA;
Gumley, NR; Henry, SC; Bain, FT; et al. AVMA
Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents'
report on cat and dog vaccines. Journal of the
American Veterinary Medical Association.
November 15, 2002 (Volume 221, No. 10);
1401-1407.
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). |