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CAT VACCINES
This information is provided by
Provet for educational purposes only.
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. Note for Pet Owners: Vaccination is only mandatory under certain circumstances (such as
for the movement of animals across International borders). However,
as an animal owner you have an obligation to take whatever steps are
practical and affordable to prevent disease. In addition, by protecting
your animal you are also reducing the chances of it contracting one of
these serious diseases and transmitting it to another animal.
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When should cats be vaccinated ?
Cats should be vaccinated for the first time when they are young kittens (from 9 weeks of age - and occasionally earlier) to protect them against a number of important infectious diseases. They usually require more than one dose initially (called the primary course) followed by booster vaccinations at regular intervals to maintain protection.
Vaccination of cats is required for movement across many International borders, and before cats can enter boarding kennels or cat shows.
For general information about vaccines and vaccination CLICK HERE
Vaccines in common use in cats are listed below. Cats do get a reaction after vaccination some times, usually in the form of lethargy . If you want to find out more about the individual diseases follow the blue links provided.
Chlamydia
Chronic, recurrent conjunctivitis in cats can be caused by Chlamydia psittaci.
Cats are vaccinated initially from 9 weeks of age and are given a second dose 3-4 weeks later. The vaccine takes 7 days to provide protection.
Annual booster vaccinations are recommended.
Licensed products in the UK are live vaccines.
Feline Leukaemia Virus Vaccine
Cats can be vaccinated against feline leukaemia virus from 9 weeks of age, and a second dose is given 2-4 weeks later. Because vaccination will not provide protection for cats that already have the virus in their blood stream (viraemia) it is recommended that cats be tested using an FeLV ELISA test, by virus isolation or by both methods - before vaccination is given. Vaccine does not interfere with tests that identify the viral antigen p27.
Cats are sometimes off colour post-vaccination and recently concern has been raised about the occurrence of sarcomas at the site of vaccination. The precise mechanism involved in this is being investigated - and it is thought that the adjuvant used in the vaccines might be responsible.
Some of the vaccines are safe to give to pregnant queens.
Annual booster vaccination is recommended
Licensed products in the UK are killed (inactivated) vaccines.
Rabies Virus Vaccine
NOTE : Rabies is a serious zoonosis that can be transmitted from animals to humans. In most countries of the world it is a notifiable disease.
Rabies vaccines can be given from 4 weeks of age, and a second dose is given at 12 weeks of age. If vaccinated for the first time after 12 weeks only one dose is needed. Booster vaccinations are needed every 2 years.
Licensed products in the UK are killed (inactivated) vaccines and contain adjuvant.
Pregnant animals should not be vaccinated.
Tetanus
Tetanus toxoid is administered to cats exhibiting signs of tetanus. Ideally this is given intravenously, but a test for anaphylaxis is done first (see Tetanus for further information)
Routine preventative vaccination against tetanus is not advised for cats.