Vaccines contain antigens that mimic disease-causing organisms to prepare your cat’s immune system to fight them off and become stronger against disease. Consult with your veterinarian on which vaccines your cat needs.
Most boarding catteries require their cats to have current core vaccines due to stress having immunosuppressive effects and making it easier for diseases to spread.
Feline Leukemia Virus
FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) is an autoimmune disease that wreaks havoc with your immune system, leaving your cat vulnerable to infections and cancer. The virus attacks the white blood cells responsible for fighting infections; typically found among cats who spend extensive time outdoors or are exposed to other FeLV-positive felines.
Vaccinating kittens is proven effective at lowering FeLV rates, and all indoor cats should receive a vaccination series against FeLV. Outdoor cats or those living in multi-cat households who may be at greater risk should get annual shots as well as series of three to four vaccines administered three weeks apart for young kittens.
Progressive Infection refers to when infection with the virus progresses past initial detection and control by immune suppression, leading to active viral shedding from cat to cat and eventually showing symptoms such as fever, sneezing and lack of appetite in cats. While PCR testing can detect viral antigen, its results may differ with Progressively Infected individuals due to fluctuating numbers of viruses present and immune suppression.
FVRCP stands for Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia (formerly Distemper). Also referred to as the distemper vaccine, it is required of nearly all cat boarding facilities that will place cats into unsupervised group environments for any amount of time.
Feline Rhinotracheitis
Feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR) is an infectious herpes virus affecting the upper respiratory tract in cats. Caused by herpesvirus type 1, FVR usually presents itself in young kittens or older cats with preexisting illnesses – particularly young cats prone to secondary illnesses – leading to symptoms including sneezing, nasal discharge and changes to eye structures. Feline viral rhinotracheitis is one of the most widespread respiratory illnesses among cats; spread via direct contact with saliva or eye secretions of an FVR-infected cat.
Signs typically last five to ten days; in severe cases they can last as long as six weeks. The outlook is generally favorable; though weak cats or kittens may develop complications such as pneumonia or ulcerative keratitis on their corneas that will likely require medical intervention.
FVR vaccination is safe and effective and should be given either liquid or via nasal drops. Side effects may occur rarely but could include lethargy, loss of appetite, tenderness at injection site and tenderness around injection sites. It’s highly recommended that cats receive this vaccine two weeks prior to going boarding.
Talking with your vet about your cat’s vaccination requirements is of utmost importance. There is no standard vaccination schedule that fits all cats; yours may need booster shots from time to time in order to maintain her immunity and make sure her booster shots are up-to-date before entering a cattery.
Feline Panleukopenia Virus
The Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis and Calicivirus Prevention vaccine, more commonly referred to by its acronym FVRCP, protects cats against three highly contagious feline diseases – Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus Infection and Panleukopenia. This vaccination should be given annually in all cats – particularly kittens, sick or low immunity cats as these could experience symptoms more acutely than others.
These viruses can easily be transmitted between cats through close physical contact, including when they lick or fight one another, sharing food bowls, bedding, litter boxes and cages or sharing food bowls, bedding, litter boxes or cages. Furthermore, the viruses may spread via airborne particles, clothing and hands as well as surfaces where cats have defecated or urinated on surfaces where cats urinated/defecated.
Panleukopenia affects rapidly dividing cells of the blood, leading to anemia and leaving your feline susceptible to viral or bacterial infection. It’s one of the deadliest feline diseases and could even prove fatal if left untreated.
This virus suppresses immunity, increasing risk for leukemia, anemia, fevers and cancer in cats who have access to outdoor environments. As soon as your kitten reaches 16-20 weeks old it should receive booster shots every 3-4 weeks until annual vaccination becomes necessary – for more information regarding when your cat was last given this non-core vaccine contact your vet clinic and inquire or refer back to their vaccination book.
Feline Calicivirus
The feline calicivirus vaccine (FCV) protects against two of the primary causes of upper respiratory infection in cats. Resembling cat flu, FCV spreads easily among multiple cats living together such as shelters or multi-cat households and can even lead to death if untreated properly.
The vaccine does not prevent all cases of herpesvirus or calicivirus; rather, it reduces their severity and frequency. Cats who become chronically infected may continue shedding this virus for life; owners should isolate these cats until they recover before disinfecting the home.
Most pet businesses, including catteries, require that cats receive both core vaccinations and an F3 shot (protecting against cat flu, feline rhinotracheitis and calicivirus) to board them safely. Most boarding facilities will also require that your cat has been vaccinated within the last year for Bordetella, which can cause Kennel Cough. Your veterinarian can advise which vaccinations your cat needs and when. Many veterinary clinics will send reminders or text messages when it’s time for your pet’s core vaccinations to expire. Most kennels and catteries allow owners to bring in their cats even if their core vaccines haven’t yet been updated; but it is always wise to confirm with them first to ensure they will accept your cat for board.
Feline Herpesvirus 1
Just because your cat resides solely indoors does not shield her from being exposed to diseases that can lead to serious illness. Cats living exclusively indoors typically require core vaccinations against feline herpesvirus (FHV), feline calicivirus, and panleukopenia virus; according to the Vaccine Advisory Panel’s recommendation, initial series vaccination should begin as early as six weeks of age with booster shots given every three to four weeks until 16 weeks have been reached, then an annual booster shot is necessary after 16 weeks old before an annual booster shot will be necessary after that point.
FHV (Feline Herpesvirus) is an extremely contagious herpesvirus that causes upper respiratory infection and eye problems in cats. It spreads easily by sharing food bowls or litter boxes, inhalation of sneeze droplets, or contact with shared water bowls or litter boxes, or through exposure to inhaled droplets from sneezing cats. When exposed, FHV infections can result in frequent episodes of flu-like symptoms reoccurring regularly including nasal discharge, sneezing, ulcers in mouth ulcers in mouth ulcers in mouth, difficulty breathing as well as difficulty breathing due to reduced immune protection against further threats imposed by this virus.
The feline herpesvirus vaccine may not be as effective as panleukopenia or calicivirus vaccines, but it may still reduce recurrent infections and reduce severity. Also recommended for all cats regardless of location is Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough) vaccine, which is highly contagious and responsible for respiratory disease in both dogs and cats in boarding facilities and grooming salons; its inclusion may be part of combination distemper shots as required legally in Pennsylvania. Vaccinations against rabies is legally mandated legal requirement legally for Pennsylvania residents as required legally by law.
Feline Bordetella
Kennel cough is often associated with dogs, but it can also affect cats. The Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria can spread cat flu as easily and cause respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, loss of appetite, fever and enlarged lymph nodes; left untreated this infection could become severe or even life-threatening; thankfully there is a safe vaccine available against this bacterium.
Cats that live in multiple-cat households, visit groomers or shelters frequently are particularly at risk as cat germs are highly transmissible through air or direct contact; additionally they may spread through surfaces such as food bowls, grooming equipment, bedding etc. This vaccine should also be given to cats that live alone but regularly interact with other cats at cat shows, catteries or shows.
Bordetella vaccines are often combined with other core vaccines in one shot, including herpesvirus, calicivirus and hemorrhagic calicivirus vaccines as well as non-core hemorrhagic calicivirus vaccination. Such combinations of vaccines have proven safe with low incidence of adverse reactions.
Vaccination boosters are essential for all pets, but are especially essential if boarding cats. Most cat boarding facilities require that your feline receive all core vaccines as well as an annual booster of the Kennel Cough vaccine to minimize stress and ensure optimal immunity against disease. Boarding can be stressful for some cats and can have immunosuppressive effects that make them more prone to diseases than usual.