Feline Vaccinations ~ Pawprints and Purrs, Inc.

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DISCLAIMER: The information found on the Cat Health Care pages may not be applicable to your cat's health condition or disease. Veterinary treatment should be addressed by the veterinarian of your choice. P&PI shall not have any liability for the content or any errors or omissions in the information provided on this web site.

Feline Vaccinations

"Cats don't worry about what other cats will think. They are remarkable survivors."
~ Samantha Mooney, author of A Snowflake in My Hand

The following has been obtained through the site of Sylvia's Journey of New Hope in an effort to assist the pet guardian in doing research on possible vaccination risks before a pet is due his vaccinations.

Based on scientific studies, all cats don't need all vaccines.

Discuss with your veterinarian the fact that feline vaccines have been associated with an aggressive cancer known as "Vaccine Associated Sarcoma."

The American Association of Feline Practitioners recommend the following feline vaccination protocols:

Rabies administered in the right rear leg as distally as possible.

FeLV administered in the left rear leg as distally as possible.

FVRCP or "Upper Respiratory" administered as low as possible over the right shoulder (or given intranasally).

No injection, vaccine or otherwise should ever be administered in the scruff (between the shoulder blades) of the cat's neck.

Discuss with your veterinarian the possibility of using an intranasal or adjuvant free vaccine, thereby reducing the risk of vaccine associated sarcomas.

Know that, over the years feline vaccines have done much more good than harm, but that some vaccine related side effects can be deadly.

Empower yourself with knowledge so that you can work together with your veterinarian towards developing the best vaccination plan to fit the "individual" needs of your furry family and reduce the risk of post vaccination sarcomas.

For more information concerning the benefits, risks and facts relating to feline vaccinations, please visit us on the web at Sylvia's Journey of New Hope.

As a cat guardian, you are totally responsible for the health of your pet. Vaccinations can improve the speed and effectiveness of a cat's immune response to a respective disease or infection by stimulating it through exposure to an organism before the cat meets it for real. With proper care, attention and vaccination education on your behalf, your pet will provide you with a lifetime of joy and pleasure.

Have a veterinarian examine your cat at least once a year, semi-annually if your cat is a "senior citizen" - 10 years of age or older, and keep all required vaccinations up to date. This will keep your cat disease and infection free.

Vaccinations for Cats and Kittens

6 weeks: Temporary vaccination for kittens that did that did not nurse from their mother during the first hours after birth or kittens from a mother that is not current on her vaccinations
8 weeks: FVRCP* - Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis, Calcivirus, and Chlamydia
12 weeks: FVRCP Booster
16 weeks: FeLV - Feline Leukemia and FVRCP Booster (if recommended)
18 weeks: FeLV Booster
6 months: Rabies
14 months: FVRCP (Boostered annually from this date) and FeLV (Boostered annually from this date)
18 months: Rabies (Boostered every 1-3 years from this date depending on local vaccination requirements)

*The first FVRCP vaccination must be boostered after 3-4 weeks to insure maximum levels of immunity in your cat. Your vet may also recommend an additional booster vaccination at 15-16 weeks of age.

Other Feline Vaccinations

FIP - Feline Infectious Peritonitis

16 weeks: first administration
19 weeks: booster
14 months: booster (boostered annually from this date)

Additional Information

The FVRCP, FeLV, and Rabies vaccinations are given as injections. These injections were once usually given in the loose skin at the scruff of the cat's neck. Some cats developed a small lump at the injection site several weeks following the injection. This lump is a reaction to the carrier agent solution in the vaccines. Normally the lump would subside within a few weeks and should only raise concern if it lasts considerably longer than this. Most vets no longer vaccinate in the scruff area.

Let your vet know if any lump appears that does not seem to go away several weeks after it appears. Always contact your vet if your cat displays any other adverse reactions to the vaccinations he has been given.

Your vet or a veterinary technician should give you a special record card containing details of any vaccinations that have been administered to your cat. Keep this in a safe place with your cat's other medical records, and expect to be asked to produce it when you book him into a boarding kennel or at any time by your vet.

Obvious reactions to vaccinations are unusual, but some cats may be a little quieter than normal for 24 hours. If you think that your cat has reacted badly to a vaccination, contact your vet immediately.

Vaccinations do not give guaranteed protection from the major infectious diseases, but it is rare for a cat not to respond as expected of them.

The vaccination needs of cats may vary from area to area, so discuss your cat's needs with your vet.

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