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 - chlamydia

Cats should be vaccinated initially from 9 weeks of age and boosters once a year are recommended, but more frequent boosters may be desirable  if the cat comes in to contact with other cats and is at increased risk - eg visiting cat shows or catteries.

Feline panleucopenia or infectious enteritis vaccine - Feline panleucopenia is an extremely serious disease which cats should be protected against from at an early age (6-8 weeks). Protection may last up to 4 years but regular boosters are recommended every 1-2 years. Some of these vaccines are not  recommended for use in  Siamese or Burmese kittens

Feline leukaemia vaccine - Leukaemia is a common, devastating disease which can result in immune problems, leukaemia, anaemia  and even  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 some immunity against infection with the FeLV virus. Cats can be vaccinated from 9 weeks of age.

Chlamydia vaccine - These vaccines are active against the organism chlamydia psittaci which causes flu-like sneezing and conjunctivitis. Sometimes these vaccines are given combined together with flu virus vaccines, and cats can be vaccinated from 9 weeks of age.

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.

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, and how frequently boosters should be given.

Safety - there are few risks associated with vaccination in healthy cats. Feline Leukaemia virus vaccine has been linked to the occurrence of a tumour at the injection site - but this is not common. Studies are on-going to determine why it occurs and to minimise this risk. 

There is controversy about recommendations that some cat vaccinations only need to be boosted every 3 years CLICK HERE and CLICK HERE for further information about cat vaccines.