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• Cat vaccines are highly recommended by veterinarians for the prevention of life threating diseases, and the health and well being of cats. Vaccines are required when moving cats across international borders and before entering cat shows or kennels.Provet: Vaccination Information

• Fast Facts

  1. Injections are given either subcutaneously (under the skin) or intramuscularly (into the muscle)Doctors Foster and Smith: Why Vaccinate at Home?
  2. Some vaccines can be given intranasally (in the nose) without an injectionDoctors Foster and Smith: Why Vaccinate at Home?
  3. May be core, highly recommended, or optionalUC Davis: Canine and Feline Vaccination Guidelines
  4. Optional vaccines should only be given to cats with risk factors for the diseaseCat Fanciers' Association: Feline Vaccine Guidelines
  5. Many vaccinations can be done at homeDoctors Foster and Smith: Why Vaccinate at Home?
  6. Made from modified live or killed microbesProvet: Cat Vaccines
  7. May cause lethargy, fever and loss of appititeUC Davis: Canine and Feline Vaccination Guidelines Provet: Vaccination Information
  8. In rare cases, may cause sarcomasProvet: Vaccination Information

• Vaccine Risks

  Swelling at the injection site, fever, decreased appetite and lethargy are common reactions to vaccines.

  Vaccine induced sarcoma is a rare side effect affecting one to three in every 30,000 vaccinations.PetEducation.com: Adverse Reactions to Vaccinations in Cats The vaccine induced sarcoma is a cancer that begins at the injection site. The risk of sarcomas is associated with feline leukemia virus vaccines and killed rabies virus vaccines. If a cat develops a palpable granuloma—a bump that can be felt at the injection site—the risk of sarcoma should be discussed before future vaccines are given.UC Davis: Canine and Feline Vaccination Guidelines Provet: Vaccination Information Pregnant cats and kittens younger than 4-5 weeks should not be given modified live virus vaccines as they may cause miscarriages, birth defects or infection.PetEducation.com: Adverse Reactions to Vaccinations in Cats

• Core Vaccinations

  • Feline calicivirus
    • For kittens under 12 weeks: At first visit, then every 3-4 weeks until 12 weeks
    • For kittens over 12 weeks: 1 dose if killed virus, 2 doses, spaced 3-4 weeks, if modified live
    • Boosters: A year later, then every three years
  • Feline herpesvirus 1
    • For kittens under 12 weeks: At first visit, then every 3-4 weeks until 12 weeks
    • For kittens over 12 weeks: 1 dose if killed virus, 2 doses, spaced 3-4 weeks, if modified live
    • Boosters: A year later, then every three years
  • Feline panleukopenia virus
    • For kittens under 12 weeks: At first visit, then every 3-4 weeks until 12 weeks
    • For kittens over 12 weeks: 1 dose if killed virus, 2 doses, spaced 3-4 weeks, if modified live
    • Boosters: A year later, then every three years
    • Warning: Do not use modified live viruses for pregnant cats or kittens younger than 4-5 weeks
  • Rabies
    • For kittens over 12 weeks: 1 dose
    • Boosters: A year later, then every three years

• Optional Vaccinations

  • Feline leukemia virus
    • For kittens under 12 weeks: 2 doses 3-4 weeks apart no earlier then the 8th and the 12th week in age for each dose respectively
    • For kittens over 12 weeks: 2 doses 3-4 weeks
    • Boosters: Once a year
  • Chlamydophila felis
    • For kittens under 12 weeks: 1 dose if modified live virus, 2 doses of killed virus, spaced 3-4 weeks
    • For kittens over 12 weeks: 1 dose if modified live virus, 2 doses of killed virus, spaced 3-4 weeks
    • Boosters: Once a yearUC Davis: Canine and Feline Vaccination Guidelines Cat Fanciers' Association: Feline Vaccine Guidelines

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Pet Vaccine Controversy | Cats | Kittens | Pet Boarding | Traveling with Pets | Rabies | Feline Leukemia Virus | Dog Vaccines | Feline Distemper | How to Remove Matted Fur from a Cat | How to Walk a Cat on a Leash | How to Become a Veterinarian | How to Clean Cat Urine

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