Download feline vaccinations - Deer Run Animal Hospital

Deer Run Animal Hospital
FELINE VACCINATIONS
Deer Run Animal Hospital follows the guidelines of the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) when selecting and
recommending vaccines for our patients. The AAFP Vaccine Guidelines were developed by the nation's leading experts in
feline infectious diseases and immunology. We also follow the AAFP guidelines on the location of vaccine administration. Feline
vaccines should never be given in the scruff of the neck.
We select the manufacturers of our vaccines very carefully. Not all vaccines are the same! We select NON-ADJUVANTED vaccines
whenever possible. Adjuvanted vaccines contain substances such as aluminum to help stimulate an immune response. Unfortunately
these adjuvants may also increase the risk of tissue inflammation. In rare cases some vaccines, especially those that cause tissue
inflammation, may lead to sarcoma or tumor formation.
The AAFP has made specific recommendations for vaccination schedules to protect young kittens from serious diseases. For adult
cats, the AAFP recommends that vaccine choices should be tailored to the individual cat. Not all vaccines are appropriate for every cat.
The frequency of vaccine boosters for adult cats is also addressed by the AAFP. Adult cats do not need every vaccine to be given
every year. We recommend that you work with your veterinarian to pick an individualized vaccine protocol ideal for your cat.
For more information and to review the actual AAFP guidelines, please visit the Feline Vaccination webpage at our website at
www.deerrunanimalhospital.com
AAFP Basic (Core) recommendations for ALL Cats
All cats in the State of Indiana should be vaccinated for Rabies as required by law.
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Rabies Vaccination is required by Indiana State Law starting at 12 weeks of age to protect cat and human health.
Due to the risk of Feline Vaccine Sarcoma (tumor) formation with adjuvanted rabies vaccines, we only administer the nonadjuvanted Merial Brand PureVax Rabies vaccine to our feline patients.
This vaccine is only licensed for one year use. To comply with Indiana State Rabies Law, this vaccine must be repeated
annually.
All cats should be vaccinated for Feline Distemper (Panleukopenia) and Feline Respiratory Viruses.
The vaccines for these viral diseases are usually combined into a single shot commonly known as the Feline Distemper Vaccine or
FVRCP.
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FVR- Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, (Also called Herpes Virus), causes upper respiratory symptoms, runny nose, watery eyes,
and corneal ulcers. Once infected, can cause recurrent disease in some cats.
C- Calici Virus, also causes upper respiratory symptoms, such as a runny nose, oral ulceration, and less commonly will cause
sore joints, and diarrhea. Once infected, can also cause recurrent disease in some cats.
P- Panleukopenia, a virus similar to Parvo in dogs that causes gastrointestinal disease and severe immunosuppression.
Young Kittenhood is a very important time for vaccination
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Kittens usually start the FVRCP (Distemper) vaccine series at 6-8 weeks of age.
The FVRCP is repeated every 3-4 weeks until 16-20 weeks of age.
If older kittens start the series, or there is no prior history of vaccination, 2 vaccines should be given at a 3 week interval.
In recent years the need for annual of re-vaccination with the Feline Distemper or FVRCP vaccine has been
questioned. After the initial kitten series, a FVRCP booster is recommended in one year. After that, the AAFP
recommends re-vaccination every 3rd year for adult and geriatric cats.
All Kittens should be vaccinated for Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) their first year. Kittenhood is the age when
cats are most susceptible to this deadly virus, and it is the age when their long term lifestyle is the least predictable. Therefore the
AAFP considers FELV vaccination of kittens and 1 year old cats a core vaccine.
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FeLV vaccines can be started as early as 9 weeks of age.
A series of two vaccines 3-4 weeks apart need to be given, then the FeLV vaccine should be boostered one year later.
FeLV vaccines are considered non-core for adult cats over 2 years old and should be considered on an as-needed basis. See
below.
AAFP Optional or Non-Core Vaccines for Adult Cats
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) causes a complex disease of immunosuppression, and often cancer. Although cats can live for
a number of years with this disease, it will eventually be fatal. It is transmitted by close, repeated contact with an infected cat (grooming,
biting, sharing food, water, and litter boxes).
In adult cats over 2 years of age, vaccination depends on risk and lifestyle. Vaccination is highly recommended if a cat goes outside (or
is at risk of escaping outside) for any length of time, or if it lives with a cat already infected with FeLV. It is strongly recommended to
blood test a cat for the FeLV virus before the vaccine series is started.
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The first year, a series of 2 vaccines are given 3-4 weeks apart.
If the cat continues to be at risk, the vaccine is recommended every 1-2 years. If exposure risk is high, yearly re-booster is still
recommended.
Adjuvanted forms of the FeLV vaccine may also have an increased risk of causing a vaccine sarcoma or tumor. We have chosen to use
the non-adjuvanted Merial PureVax Brand of FeLV Vaccine.
Non-core Feline Vaccines
FIV Vaccine- Recently a vaccine against Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) was developed. FIV is another immunosuppressive
virus similar to HIV but not contagious to humans. The safety and efficacy of this FIV vaccine is currently under question. The vaccine
will also interfere with testing for this virus. Currently this vaccine should only be used in very limited circumstances. It is not
recommended for routine use. It is important to test all cats for the FIV virus. The best method of prevention is isolation of positive cats,
and keeping cats indoors. The FIV virus is primarily transmitted through bite wounds. Cats can also live many years with this virus, but
eventually the virus is fatal.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) Vaccine--not recommended on a routine basis.
Vaccination of cats living within households in which FIP is known to already exist, or of cats that are known to be feline corona virus
antibody positive, is NOt recommended. Vaccine may actually enhance the development of the disease in these situations.
Bordetella and Chlamydophila Vaccines are for bacterial respiratory infections but are not routinely recommended by the AAFP.
They may be of benefit in certain high risk situations such as high density animal shelters.
Ringworm Vaccine- not currently recommended for the treatment or prevention of this infectious skin disease.
Giardia Vaccine- not currently recommended, this vaccine has not been shown to prevent infections.
What about Leptospirosis? Fortunately cats are fairly resistant to the bacterial infection Leptospirosis. There is no recommendation
for Leptospirosis vaccination for cats.