Which Vaccines Do Cats Need and How Often?

Bringing home a furry little feline companion is a joyful experience. One of the primary things involving his/her all-around healthcare is, administering the right vaccines at the right time. Cat vaccines are medically proven to combat the transmission and gestation of impairing and fatal feline diseases. Keep reading to know more about these vaccines.

1. FVRCP (Core Vaccine)

It is a combination vaccine which protects against Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (feline herpes), Calicivirus and Panleukopenia virus (feline distemper).

For indoor-outdoor and outdoor young and senior cats, veterinarians recommend yearly shots of FVRCP. However, vets recommend administering this vaccine every three years for adult indoor cats.

2. Rabies (Core Vaccine)

This vaccine holds much importance as it prevents the probability of developing rabies in not only cats but even their humans. One may contract the disease if bitten by a rabies-infected cat.

Though cats are not natural carriers of the disease, outdoor cats have a higher chance of contracting the disease, being outdoors with other cats, which involves a higher risk of being bitten by another infected outdoor cat.

The rabies Vaccine helps prevent zoonotic disease and is required by law in most regions. In other words, it prevents cat-to-human transmission of the disease.

Including the aforesaid vaccines, the following additional vaccine is recommended for kittens:

FeLV Vaccine (Core Vaccine for Kittens)

This vaccine helps fight the feline leukaemia virus, which is transmitted through body fluids such as saliva, urine, etc. Vets recommend this vaccine as a core for kittens. The first vaccination comprises 2 doses set 3 to 4 weeks apart, and then the other dose follows the next year for an adult cat.

However, recent developments and research regarding the vaccine suggest that the vaccine be administered based on low and high risks of cats. A vet assessing the level of risk of cats being prone to the feline leukaemia virus may suggest yearly vaccination for high-risk cats and every two years for cats with low risks.

Following is the recommended list of vaccine schedules:

• 6 to 10 weeks: FVRCP (feline distemper)
• 11 to 14 weeks: FVRCP (feline distemper) and FeLV (feline leukaemia)
• 15 weeks and above: FVRCP (feline distemper), FeLV (feline leukaemia) and rabies vaccine

Side effects of cat vaccines are rare, and some instances of the same may occur as a result of underlying genetic and medical conditions. After vaccinating cats, you may witness certain mild reactions, such as soreness on the vaccine-injected spot or even an allergic reaction. Rarest cases include the development of a tumour in the injected site.

Some other temporary side effects may include- fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, diarrhoea, vomiting, hives and lameness.

Administering appropriate cat vaccines help stimulate your cat’s immune system, creating a protective shield against specific infectious diseases. The benefits of vaccinating a cat out rule the mildest and temporarily incurred risks. These vaccines have saved multiple lives and hence play a vital role in protecting your furry companion from feline infectious diseases.