Feline vaccines

Feline Core Vaccinations – Objectives

• Identify risk factors that determine a cat's susceptibility to disease

• Describe diseases commonly prevented by vaccinations

Risk Factors for Disease

• Access to the outdoors

• Multi-cat households

• Indirect or direct exposure

• Age/Health of household members

• Immunosuppressive diseases

Access to Outdoors

• Many diseases require direct contact for infection to occur

• Single, indoor-only cats generally are at low risk, BUT — always recommend they have vaccines done anyway!

Multi-Cat Households

Diseases affecting the upper respiratory system are particularly contagious between cats living together

Indirect or Direct Exposure to Stray/Rescued Cats

• Single, indoor-only cats may be exposed to many diseases if their owners take in strays or do rescue work outside the home

• Any contact with other cats (family/friends' pets) can put their own cat at risk

Age/Health of Household Members

Young children, elderly, or immunocompromised owners may require extra protection with a more complete vaccination program, even with a single indoor-only cat

Immunosuppressive Diseases (FeLV, FIV, FIP)

• Not zoonotic diseases themselves

• Infected cats are more prone to bacterial infections that may pose a risk to immunocompromised owners

Feline Vaccines – Overview

• 3-way: Distemper (panleukopenia), Rhinotracheitis, Calici → "FVRCP"

• 4-way: 3-way + Chlamydia

• 5-way: 4-way + FeLV