| In a word, Yes. To protect their health from all sorts | | | | vomiting, low white blood cell count, and seizures. |
| of microscopic critters, cat vaccinations are essential | | | | FPV invades rapidly growing cells, and is so |
| to all felines. And not just once, but sometimes | | | | widespread that nearly all cats are exposed within |
| annually. | | | | their first year of life. |
| Even an indoor cat needs them because there is | | | | Rabies is transmitted from the saliva of wild animals |
| always the possibility they may escape and be | | | | to unvaccinated domestic animals and even humans, |
| exposed to harmful diseases or another cat can bring | | | | usually through a bite. Rabies is nearly always fatal. |
| in a pathogen. | | | | Prevention is the only hope. |
| There are usually 2 categories of feline vaccinations: | | | | Non-Core Vaccinations |
| core that are necessary for all cats, and non-core | | | | Non-core cat vaccinations are given only to cats |
| which are used only under certain circumstances. | | | | when circumstances indicate that they may be at |
| Core Vaccinations | | | | particular risk for a certain disease. |
| They help protect your cat from: | | | | Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) vaccination is |
| * Feline herpes virus 1(FVH1), | | | | recommended for outdoor cats or cats having |
| * Feline calicivirus (FCV), | | | | contact with other felines of unknown FeLV status. |
| * Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), and | | | | After 16 weeks of age, acquired resistance to |
| * rabies. | | | | infection develops, so it's most effective for kittens |
| After initial inoculations with dead virus vaccines and a | | | | and young cats. The middle word, leukemia, says it all. |
| booster at one year, the FHV1, FCV, and FPV | | | | Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) has only been on |
| vaccines can be slowed to 3-year intervals, if your | | | | the market since 2002. This is also known as feline |
| cat is in a low risk environment. After initial rabies | | | | AIDS. It is not as effective as those for other |
| shots, they are recommended annually. | | | | viruses, and previous vaccination may not rule out |
| The diseases that core cat vaccinations prevent are: | | | | infection. When deciding whether to get your cat |
| Feline Herpesvirus 1 (FHV1), also known as feline | | | | vaccinated for FIV, research your options and discuss |
| rhinotracheitis. It manifests as respiratory symptoms, | | | | the matter with your veterinarian until you feel |
| such as sneezing, nasal discharge, rhinitis (inflammation | | | | comfortable. When possible, separate the cat |
| of the nose) and conjunctivitis (inflammation of the | | | | immediately and if it is a kitten, retest in 2 months. |
| eyelid-lining membrane). It can also strike the | | | | Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) vaccine has a short |
| reproductive tract, causing pregnancy complications. | | | | immunity span, and its effectiveness is under debate. |
| FHV1 affects cats around the world. | | | | The rate of FIP incidents is very low -- in single-cat |
| Feline Calicivirus (FCV) is a common viral disease, | | | | households, only 1 in 5,000 cats are infected. |
| usually fairly mild, but can result mouth sores, upper | | | | Bordetella Bronchiseptica affects mostly young |
| respiratory symptoms, pneumonia, and possibly | | | | kittens, causing lower respiratory tract disease. In |
| arthritis. A flu-like condition, FCV and FHV1 make up | | | | older cats it is uncommon and can be treated with |
| 85 - 90% of upper respiratory feline infections. | | | | antibiotics. Vaccination is recommended only for |
| Feline Panleukopenia Virus is a far more severe, | | | | kittens in a multiple cat environment. |
| contagious disease affecting cats, kittens, and | | | | The battle of disease and science rages on. Cat |
| raccoons. Typical symptoms include: diarrhea, | | | | vaccinations put the winning odds on your side. |