You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

If you own a cat (or cats) you probably know that there are a number of vaccines that you should consider giving - here is a brief resume

Many vaccines have been developed over the years to give protection to us, our children and our animals against common, debilitating diseases. There are several vaccines available for cats in the UK and these should be seriously considered for your cat(s) :

Cat flu vaccines - Vaccines are available to protect cats from the most common organisms that cause respiratory diseases (cat flu and pneumonitis and conjunctivitis) including :

• viruses - especially feline herpesvirus 1 (also called feline viral rhinotracheitis) and feline calicivirus 
• bacteria - chlamydophila felis

Cats should be vaccinated initially from an early age and regular boosters are recommended.

Feline panleucopenia or infectious enteritis vaccine - Feline panleucopenia is an extremely serious disease which cats should be protected against from at an early age .

Feline leukaemia vaccine - Leukaemia is a serious, devastating disease which can result in immune problems, leukaemia, anaemia  and cancer (eg lymphosarcoma). Vaccination will not help cats that are already infected with the virus - so testing is advised before they are vaccinated, but it can provide immunity against infection with the FeLV virus.

Chlamydofila vaccine - These vaccines are active against the organism chlamydofila felis  which causes flu-like sneezing and conjunctivitis, and sometimes reproductive problems.. 

Rabies vaccine - Cats are not routinely vaccinated against rabies in the UK because we do not have the disease in this country, however the vaccine is given to cats being exported. Rabies is an extremely serious disease, and a potential zoonosis (it can be transmitted to humans) so it is important to protect animals visiting parts of the world where it is present in the wildlife (including mainland Europe).

All of these vaccines are administered to cats by injection Different vaccine products have slightly different contents and may have different dosing instructions. Your veterinarian will advise you about the most appropriate vaccine for your cat, when they can be started and how frequently boosters should be given.

Safety - there are few risks associated with vaccination in healthy cats Occasionally they may be quiet, lethargic and off their food for a day or two and sometimes they get an increase in body temperature. Swelling of the face and weals on the body with itchiness occur very occasionally, and a small number of cats might vomit. In the past vaccines have been linked to the occurrence of a tumour at the injection site - but this is very rare and it is not proven that there is a direct link as tumours can occur at the injection sites in cats that have never had a vaccine.. Studies are on-going to determine why it occurs and to minimise any risks. 

Cat Vaccines licensed in the UK

Below is a list of all Feline vaccines licensed for use in the UK (Correct as at 1^st October 2013). Not all brands may be available depending upon marketing decisions by the various marketing license holders. Also, the content of individual vaccines may change so you are advised to check the current details for these vaccine brands at the Veterinary Medicines Directorate website (www.vmd.defra.gov.uk ). For further information about each disease click on the highlighted links.

Key

Bb – Bordetella bronchiseptica

CF –   Chlamydofila felis

FCV – Feline calicivirus

FeLV – Feline leukaemia virus

FHV – Feline herpesvirus (rhinotracheitis virus)

FPV – Feline parvovirus (panleucopenia virus; infectious enteritis)

R - Rabies

Updated October 2013