Vaccinations For Cats & Kittens

Recent advances in veterinary medical science have resulted in an increase in the number and type of vaccines that are available for use in cats, and improvements are continuously being made in safety and efficacy. Some vaccines are more or less routinely advocated for all cats (‘core’ vaccines) whereas others are used more selectively according to circumstances. However, in all cases the selection of the correct vaccination program for each individual cat, including the frequency of repeat, booster, vaccinations, requires professional advice.

Currently cats can be vaccinated against several different diseases:    ‘Core’ Vaccines:

• Feline panleukopenia, FPL (feline infectious enteritis) caused by FPL virus or feline parvovirus.
• Feline viral rhinotracheitis, FVR caused by FVR virus or herpes virus type 1, FHV-1.
• Feline caliciviral disease caused by various strains of Feline caliciviruses, FCV.
• Rabies caused by Rabies virus

            Non-core, discretionary vaccines:

• Feline chlamydial infection

• Feline leukemia disease complex caused by Feline leukemia virus, FeLV

• Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) caused by FIP virus or Feline Coronavirus
• Giardiasis caused by the protozoal parasite Giardia
• Bordetellosis caused by the bacterium Bordetella bronchiseptica

What is the difference between the various types of vaccine?

1.         Modified live vaccines - these vaccines contain live organisms that are weakened (attenuated) or genetically modified so that they do not produce disease but will multiply in the cat's body. Live vaccines are generally considered to cause a stronger, longer lasting immunity than inactivated vaccines, but there is continuous improvement in all vaccines. It is not advisable to use modified live vaccines in pregnant queens or cats whose immune system is not working properly (cats infected by feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), etc.).

3.                Subunit vaccines - these are vaccines in which the infectious organism has been broken apart and only certain parts are included in the vaccine. In some cases this is achieved by using genetic engineering techniques prior to the fragmentation.

Also vaccines come in various combinations, so that protection against more than one disease is achieved in a single injection or administration (some vaccines are given by drops into the nose rather than by needle). Veterinarian will advise you on the most appropriate vaccines for your cat.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners recommended the following Vaccination sites:

FeLv administered in the left rear leg as distally as possible.
FVRCP  administered as low as possible over the right shoulder.

Rabies administered in the right rear leg as distally as possible.

Vaccinations Schedule for Cats and Kittens:

• 6 weeks: Temporary vaccination for kittens that did not nurse from their mother during the first hours after birth or kittens from a mother that is not current on her vaccinations
• 8 weeks: FVRCP - Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis, Calcivirus, and Chlamydia
• 11 weeks: FVRCP Booster
• 14 weeks: FVRCP Booster and FeLv - Feline Leukemia (if recommended)
• 18 weeks: FVRCP and FeLv Booster (if Recommended)
• 16-18 weeks: Rabies
• FVRCP & FeLv Boostered annually
• Rabies boostered after 1 year thereafter every 3 years in Michigan

  Other Feline Vaccinations

• FIP - Feline Infectious Peritonitis Administered in drops intranasally ( if recommnended)
  • 13-14 weeks: first administration
  • 16-18 weeks: booster
  • boostered annually

We carry a full line of vaccines for your Cat. We administer vaccines based solely and completely on the needs of your pet.