All you need to know about vaccinating your cat

Vaccinating your cat helps to protect him or her against several serious and/or life-threatening diseases. Although the availability of vaccines will vary between different countries, the most commonly available ones are used to provide protection against the following infections:

Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV, feline infectious enteritis; feline parvovirus) - a severe and frequently fatal cause of haemorrhagic gastroenteritis. Highly contagious, outbreaks of infection with this virus are common. Unfortunately, a high proportion of infected cats die.

Feline herpesvirus (FHV-1, cat flu) & feline calicivirus (FCV, cat flu) - these two viruses are the main causes of upper respiratory tract infections in cats (cat flu).

Symptoms include sneezing, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, eye discharge, and mouth ulcers. Infections can be mild or severe, and occasionally other complications may develop including viral pneumonia. With FHV-1, even after the initial signs subside, most cats will remain permanently infected with the virus and some go on to develop recurrent eye infections or other signs.

As in humans, while these flu vaccinations do not always prevent infection, they will help to reduce its severity.

Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) - this disease can be spread through fighting, mutual grooming, and sharing bowls and litter trays. Kittens may also be infected by their mothers whilst still in the womb. FeLV causes a wide variety of problems in persistently infected cats including immunosuppression, anaemia, and lymphoma.

Rabies - although more common in dogs (and more commonly passed from dogs to humans than cats to humans), cats can be infected and can be a source of human infection. For these reasons, where rabies is present in a country or in a region, it is recommended that cats should be vaccinated against this disease. Vaccination is highly effective in preventing disease.

When should I vaccinate my cat?

The initial vaccine course is often started at 8-9 weeks of age, with a second injection 3-4 weeks later. A first booster vaccination should be given 12 months later to ensure a good level of continuing protection. However, after that, the frequency of booster vaccinations may be only every 1-3 years depending on the vaccine, disease and risk of with the individual cat.

Cats that stay at a boarding cattery will require an annual vaccination (or booster vaccine before the cat goes into the cattery) as this is a higher risk situation.

Until your kitten is fully vaccinated, you should keep him or her inside.

Are vaccines safe?

Adverse reactions from vaccines are rare. The most common side effects are mild and include lethargy, loss of appetite or tenderness at the injection site, usually lasting no longer than a few days. Other side effects may include vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, signs of respiratory tract infection, or lumps at the site of injection. If you're concerned about your cat following a vaccination, you should always contact your vet for advice.

Should I vaccinate my indoor cat?

Yes! Even if they never leave the house, indoor cats still need to be vaccinated to protect their health. Feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus are highly contagious and can be brought into the environment by other pets that go outside or even the owners’ clothing.

Do I still need to vaccinate my cat as he gets older?

As your cat gets older, you may wonder whether you should still vaccinate him or her on an annual basis, particularly if s/he spends most of their time indoors and doesn’t go into a boarding cattery. Research suggests that the immune system of older cats isn't as effective as in younger cats, so it follows they are more susceptible to picking up infections. So some vets maintain that continued vaccinations are an important aspect of preventative health care throughout the cat’s life. Other experts take the view that there is little scientific information to suggest that annual revaccination of older cats is necessary for some diseases because immunity to many viruses probably persists for the life of the animal.

One thing many vets agree that cats should be vaccinated against those diseases to which they are susceptible. So if you’re concerned about your cat, please speak to your vet.