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Veterinary Medical Associates, Inc.
Feline Vaccination Chart
Feline Distemper, also called Panleukopenia, is a potentially fatal disease among cats. It is a highly contagious viral disease that can be spread through the air, contact with infected animals, or even contact with places where infected animals have been.
Upper Respiratory Disease includes the highly contagious viral infections, rhinotracheitis virus and calicivirus, and the chlamydia psittaci bacteria.
FVRCPC
FVR Feline Rhinotracheitis or Feline Herpes - 1 Virus
C Feline Calicivirus
P Panleukopenia Virus
(Distemper)
C Chlamydia Psittaci Bacterin
Kitten or Initial Series
Two doses 3-4 weeks apart.
May begin at 9 weeks of age.
Adult
Booster at 1 year after the initial series and every 3 years thereafter.
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is the leading cause of death from infectious agents in cats. It is caused by a virus which inhibits the immune system and results in various types of cancer and other chronic diseases. The virus is present in saliva, urine, and other body fluids and is most often passed from cat to cat through bite wounds. It may also be transmitted in utero or when food dishes, water dishes and litter boxes are shared with an infected cat.
Leukemia
Feline Leukemia Virus
Special Note:
All cats brought into a home should be isolated until their leukemia status is known.
Kitten or Initial Series
Testing for FeLV required prior to vaccination.
Two doses 3-4 weeks apart.
May begin as early as 9 weeks of age.
Adult
Booster at 1 year after the initial series and none thereafter. High risk cases may require annual vaccinations. Cats at high risk for FeLV include cats allowed outdoors, cats in homes where strays and foster care cats frequently enter, and cats exposed to known FeLV positive cats.Rabies is a fatal infection of the central nervous system. Infection is usually transmitted through the bite of an infected animal or when saliva of an infected animal contaminates a wound. Most communities will require that all cats be vaccinated.
Rabies
Rabies Virus
Kitten or Initial Series
One dose after 3 months of age.
Adult
Booster at 1 year after the initial vaccine and every 3 years thereafter.
Optional: Annual vaccination with a recombinant vaccine. (See back of form at"Are safer vaccines available")Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is caused by a virus which interacts with your cat's immune system. Kittens may be infected before birth. Most transmission of the virus is from the feces or urine of infected cats.
FIP
Feline Infectious Peritonitis
Kitten or Initial Series
Two doses 3-4 weeks apart.
May begin at 16 weeks of age.
Adult
Annual
Note: Use only with high exposure potential. Cats at high risk of developing FIP include cats subject to over-crowding and stress, cats infected with FeLV, and cats exposed to a known positive FIP cat.
Feline Vaccines and Sarcomas
Is this something new?
Sarcomas are not new nor are they extremely rare. But in 1991, veterinarians began to notice a higher than expected number of sarcomas occurring on the body in places where vaccines are commonly injected. Since most sarcomas are not linked with vaccines in any way - and those that are associated occur only infrequently - it is very difficult to establish a clear relationship. Veterinary scientists are clarifying the picture, but much more needs to be learned.
So what is being done?
Veterinarians are deeply concerned. Even though vaccine-associated sarcomas are uncommon, the problem is receiving unprecedented attention by veterinarians and feline vaccine producers. The Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force of concerned national veterinary organizations is dedicated to resolving the dilemma. This group is devoting considerable human and financial resources to determine the true scope of the problem, the exact cause, and the most effective treatment of vaccine-associated sarcomas.
If vaccines are causing problems, why use them at all?
Disturbing as this issue may be, there is great concern that cat owners, attempting to keep their cats from harm, may forego vaccination entirely. The result? Though well-intentioned, these owners may be placing cats at far greater risk of acquiring a fatal infection than any risk the vaccine poses; and in the case of rabies, human health is at risk as well.
What should I look for?
It is quite common for a small, firm, painless swelling to form under the skin at the site where a vaccine was injected. The swelling is almost always of no consequence, and it usually disappears after several weeks. Rarely, however, the swelling may progress to a sarcoma, so it's important that you contact your veterinarian if you notice a swelling at the vaccine site. In fact, it's wise to contact your veterinarian if you suspect an adverse reaction of any kind after vaccination.
How should I respond?
Until this problem is resolved, the best response is to discuss the issue with your veterinarian. In the vast majority of situations, vaccines are much more beneficial than harmful. They continue to do an excellent job of protecting cats from serious infection and disease. But one way to reduce the chance of tumor development is to not vaccinate unnecessarily. Veterinarians are being urged to evaluate each individual cat's risk of infection as a guide in deciding which vaccines should be given. After considering both the vaccine and your cat's situation, your veterinarian will assist you in designing a vaccination program that not only protects against infectious disease but is as safe as possible. The use of recombinant vaccines reduces or may completely eliminate the possibility of a vaccine induced sarcoma.
Are safer vaccines available?
A recent technology called Recombinant Technology has revolutionized the world of immunization, producing pure, effective vaccines designed to reduce or even eliminate sarcomas associated with conventional vaccines. Recombinant vaccines are produced by modifying the infective organism at the molecular level, where only the specific proteins needed to stimulate protective immunity are used. As a result, the recombinant vaccines offer outstanding efficacy and safety. Presently, a rabies vaccine is available as a recombinant vaccine, but it must be given annually.
How is Veterinary Medical Associates addressing these issues?
We are evaluating each individual cat's risk of infection to determine which vaccinations are necessary and which vaccines and vaccine protocol would be the safest. Based upon your cat's situation and the vaccine available, a vaccination program will be recommended which will not only protect against infectious disease, but will also be as safe as possible.
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