Essential Vaccines for Your Cat: What to Administer

Is Vaccination Necessary for Cats?

Many cat owners believe that since their pets stay indoors and don't come into contact with viruses, there's no need for vaccinations.

However, the reality is different. Whether the cat owner goes out and returns home, or when we purchase cat food, toys, and other pet supplies, or even when taking the cat to a pet store for a bath, there's always a risk of bringing home viruses that could infect the cat. Therefore, the first vaccination is crucial and cannot be skipped.

Common Cat Vaccinations

Cat Core Vaccinations

Cat core vaccinations refer to those that are essential and must be administered due to the widespread nature of the infections they protect against.

Leukemia (FPV/ Feline Distemper)

Leukemia, also known as feline panleukopenia virus or feline distemper, is a highly contagious and acute disease in cats. It is characterized by sudden high fever, persistent vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, circulatory disorders, and a sharp decrease in white blood cells.

Calicivirus (FCV)

Calicivirus infection is a common respiratory disease in cats, primarily affecting the upper respiratory tract. Symptoms include depression, serous and mucoid nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, gingivitis, tracheitis, and bronchitis, accompanied by biphasic fever.

Calicivirus infection is a frequent occurrence in cats, with a high incidence and low mortality rate.

Rhinotracheitis (FHV1)

Rhinotracheitis in cats is primarily caused by feline herpesvirus (FHV1), with other causes including calicivirus, mycoplasma, and bacterial infections. At least 80% of cats in the world are affected by rhinotracheitis caused by herpesvirus, which is highly contagious. Clinical symptoms include upper respiratory infections, keratitis, and conjunctivitis, with upper respiratory infections being the most common.

The cat trivalent vaccine, as recommended by the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), should be administered in the right forelimb.

NonCore Vaccinations

Cat noncore vaccinations are not mandatory and should be considered based on the cat's background, health status, and living environment, as well as the risk of specific diseases in certain populations.

Vaccination has its benefits and drawbacks, and a comprehensive assessment is necessary.

Leukemia (FeLV)

Feline leukemia, caused by the feline leukemia virus, affects about 70% of cats, leading to anemia symptoms. Initial symptoms include pale gums, fever, and swelling of lymph nodes, which can be seen with the naked eye. As anemia progresses, symptoms like fatigue, loss of appetite, stomatitis, dermatitis, rhinitis, and diarrhea may occur. Since vaccination is only possible when the cat is FeLVnegative, a virus test is required before vaccination.

The leukemia vaccine, among other noncore vaccines, should be administered according to the AAFP recommendations in the left forelimb.

Feline AIDS (FAIDS)

Feline acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, also known as FAIDS, is a chronic contagious disease in cats caused by the feline immunodeficiency virus. It is characterized by immune deficiency, secondary infections, neurological disorders, and the development of malignant tumors. There is still uncertainty about whether the vaccine protects against all FIV viruses, so most veterinary clinics do not offer this vaccine and do not recommend it for indoor cats under normal circumstances.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)

Feline infectious peritonitis is an immunemediated disease caused by feline coronavirus (FCoV) and is one of the leading causes of feline mortality. FIP is currently the most common disease that leads to cat deaths.

Feline Chlamydial Pneumonitis (FCP)

Feline chlamydial pneumonitis is a respiratory disease caused by Chlamydia psittaci, a bacterium that can also infect birds and humans. The organism grows and reproduces within the cells of the respiratory tract, causing irritation and mild symptoms in cats. It may also grow in the gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts but usually does not cause any symptoms. The first symptom of the disease is usually eye problems. However, the vaccine's immunity duration is short, and it can only provide incomplete protection. Additionally, 3% of cats experience adverse reactions after vaccination, so it is not recommended for cats with low exposure risks.

Cat Whooping Cough

Cat whooping cough is caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica and presents with common symptoms such as sneezing, yellow or green discharge from the eyes and nose, and coughing, although coughing is not as common. Less common symptoms include increased lung sounds, lymph node swelling, fever, pneumonia, difficulty breathing, and cyanosis.

Rabies

Rabies is a fatal disease affecting the nervous system of mammals. In the later stages, the virus moves from the brain to the salivary glands and saliva, and is transmitted through bites or contact with mucous membranes (nose, mouth, and eyes). Once symptoms appear, the disease is fatal. Cat owners should decide whether to vaccinate their cats based on their living environment and exposure risks. The rabies vaccine, as recommended by the AAFP, should be administered in the right hind leg of the cat.

Injection Sites Illustration

To ensure that sarcomas can be removed promptly, it is recommended to administer vaccinations subcutaneously. The cat trivalent vaccine should be injected in the right forelimb, the FeLV vaccine in the left forelimb, and the rabies vaccine in the right hind leg. It is best to inject all vaccines in the legs, and the location should be分散 to avoid injecting in the neck, chest, and buttocks.

What is the Vaccination Schedule?

Initial Vaccination

The initial vaccination consists of two doses, given approximately one month apart. It is typically administered two weeks after weaning, or around two and a half months if the kitten was weaned early, such as at two months of age. If the kitten was weaned late or lived with the mother, vaccination can be scheduled around three months. It is important to separate the kitten from the mother after vaccination to prevent the kitten from nursing and potentially neutralizing the vaccine.

Three weeks to one month after the first dose, a second dose is administered to ensure the activation of the immune system.

Annual Reinforcement

The first annual reinforcement is given based on the date of the first dose, approximately one year later. Subsequent immunizations (optional)

Vaccine Efficacy Duration

Vaccines are longlasting. Experimental data shows that after completing the initial trivalent vaccine, the antibodies produced in cats are sufficient to protect against panleukopenia for up to eight years, against calicivirus for up to four years, and against herpesvirus for up to three years.

Vaccination Intervals

Unresponsible Practice

Annually vaccinating cats without considering their actual circumstances can shift responsibility and increase vaccine sales.

Recommended Practice

According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) recommendations, a booster shot should be administered every three years.

Aggressive Practice:

Administering the cat trivalent vaccine every seven years, and the most aggressive practice (as suggested by experts): administering the initial and the following year's vaccinations only, and no further vaccinations thereafter.

Dr. Ron Hines, a veterinarian and microbiologist, has analyzed from a professional perspective and believes that cats do not need to receive further vaccinations of the same type after completing the initial and the following year's vaccinations.

Do Cats Need to Be Revaccinated if Antibody Levels Are Not Up to Par?

There is no need to perform antibody tests, and antibody levels cannot be used as a basis for judgment.

If a cat does not have detectable antibodies or if the antibody levels are "not up to par" in a particular year, it is not necessary to revaccinate.

Each individual's tolerance varies. For example, some people can drink a thousand cups of alcohol without getting drunk, while others may become inebriated after just half a cup. Cats are the same; some cats may tolerate a certain level of antibodies without harm, while others may become ill or even infected.

So, for cats that have been vaccinated and, after a period of time, do not have detectable antibodies, Dr. Ron Hines of Cornell University points out that even if antibody levels decrease or are low, and do not reach the level of titers, the immune memory is still active, and the immune protection mechanism is still functioning. Titer tests cannot be used to determine whether additional vaccination is truly necessary.

What to Watch Out for When Vaccinating Cats

Cats That Have Not Been Weaned Cannot Be Vaccinated

Cats usually wean around 23 months old, and some kittens that live with their mothers may continue to nurse until around 3 months of age.

a. Avoid vaccinating kittens that are too young; the minimum age for vaccination should be at least 2 months, with 3 months being safer;

b. Avoid vaccinating kittens while they are nursing to prevent the mother's milk from neutralizing the vaccine and causing vaccination failure.

Do Not Bathe, Deworm, or Change Homes Within One Week of Vaccination

Bathing, deworming, or changing homes can make cats uncomfortable, and vaccinating them during this period can exacerbate reactions and lead to more severe consequences.

Cats That Are Sick or in Poor Health Should Not Be Vaccinated

Ensure that the cat is healthy and free from discomfort, including symptoms such as colds, runny nose, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite and energy. If there are parasites, vaccination should not be administered without treating them first.

Overimmunization Can Be Harmful to Cats

Inflammation, Redness, and Swelling at the Injection Site

Cats may experience pain, swelling, itching, or inflammation at the injection site after vaccination, which is a common side effect.

Loss of Appetite, Vomiting, Drowsiness, and Fever

These symptoms may occur in the first three days after vaccination. They typically resolve within 23 days. The risk of adverse reactions increases with the number of vaccines administered simultaneously.

Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions are different from adverse reactions and may manifest as vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory distress, generalized itching, and collapse after vaccination.

Fibrosarcoma at the Injection Site

Since the late 1980s, veterinarians have discovered a strange type of tumor in very young cats. Pathologists who examined these tumors found that most were composed of malignant fibroblasts. The vaccine's aluminum adjuvant may be part of the cause of the problem. When cats develop fibrosarcomas associated with vaccinations, owners may notice small lumps, about 12 centimeters in size, when petting or grooming the cat. These tumors can usually be easily removed by a veterinarian. The problem with this type of tumor in cats is that it often extends outward to healthy skin and muscle tissue, resembling cancer cells. To reduce the incidence of sarcomas at the injection site, it is important to minimize unnecessary vaccinations and avoid administering nonessential vaccines.