Introduction
Vaccinating cats is extremely important to protect them against dangerous and potentially fatal infectious diseases. Vaccines work by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies that recognize and help fight off viruses or bacteria before they can multiply and cause illness in the body. According to the GetSetPet article, vaccinating cats helps prevent diseases like feline panleukopenia, feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and rabies. Kittens receive a series of vaccinations starting around 6-8 weeks of age and repeating every 2-4 weeks until they are 16 weeks old. Adult cats need booster vaccinations periodically throughout their lives to maintain immunity. The typical core vaccines are given 1 year after the kitten series is complete and then every 3 years afterward. Getting a cat fully vaccinated takes several months for kittens and a lifetime commitment for adult cats.
Kittens’ Vaccination Schedule
Kittens require a series of vaccines starting around 6-8 weeks of age in order to protect them against dangerous diseases.
The core vaccines for kittens are FVRCP and rabies. FVRCP protects against three upper respiratory diseases – feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia. This vaccine is extremely important for kittens to receive. Rabies is also a core vaccine that is required by law in most jurisdictions. Kittens should receive their first FVRCP and rabies vaccines between 6-8 weeks old (Source).
After the initial FVRCP and rabies shots at 6-8 weeks, kittens need a series of boosters to fully protect them. The FVRCP vaccine should be boostered every 2-4 weeks until the kitten reaches 16 weeks of age. The rabies vaccine should be boostered once at 12-16 weeks (Source).
Following this vaccination timeline ensures kittens receive full protection by around 16 weeks of age when their maternal immunity wears off. It’s crucial to follow the schedule and not skip or delay boosters, which leaves kittens susceptible to dangerous viruses.
Adult Cats’ Vaccination Schedule
Adult cats, over 1 year old, require two core vaccines – rabies and FVRCP. According to Pawsome Kittens, the rabies vaccine is needed every 1-3 years for adult cats, depending on your local laws. The FVRCP vaccine, which protects against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia, is recommended every 3 years for adult cats.
The rabies vaccine is an important core vaccine because rabies is fatal if contracted. The frequency of the rabies vaccine booster depends on local animal control laws. For example, some states require rabies boosters every year while others allow 3 year intervals. Check your local laws to determine the proper frequency.
The FVRCP vaccine is also vital since it protects cats against three highly contagious and potentially fatal feline diseases – viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia. This vaccine provides long-lasting immunity when given every 3 years after the initial kitten series.
In summary, adult cats require FVRCP and rabies vaccines. The rabies vaccine frequency depends on local laws, while the FVRCP is given every 3 years. Both vaccines are core immunizations that prevent serious, potentially fatal diseases in adult cats.
Lifestyle Factors
Cats that go outdoors generally require more vaccines than indoor cats. Outdoor cats are at higher risk of exposure to certain diseases like feline leukemia virus, so they need vaccines like Felv to protect them. Indoor cats may not need non-core vaccines like Felv if they have limited exposure to other cats (https://topvet.net/practices/canada/british-columbia/richmond/catcare-veterinary-clinic-22111).
Cats with health conditions like FIV or FeLV may need adjusted vaccination schedules, as their immune systems are compromised. Medications like steroids that suppress the immune system may also alter the vaccine schedule. In these cases, vets will tailor the vaccine plan to the individual cat’s health status and lifestyle.
Vaccine Side Effects
Vaccines can sometimes cause mild side effects in cats. The most common side effects are localized swelling, lethargy, slight fever, and decreased appetite that lasts for a day or two. According to Purina, these effects often start within hours after vaccination and clear up within 24-48 hours.
More severe vaccine reactions like facial swelling, hives, or anaphylaxis are possible but quite rare, occurring in less than 1 in 10,000 vaccinated cats according to veterinary research. If a cat has a history of vaccine reactions, vets may prescribe antihistamines or steroids to prevent adverse effects. Allergic reactions usually begin within minutes to hours after vaccination and require immediate veterinary care. With prompt treatment, most cats fully recover. But it’s important to watch for any concerning signs like vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, or collapse after vaccination and seek veterinary help right away if they occur.
Vaccine Failure
Vaccine failure occurs when a cat’s immune system does not respond adequately to a vaccine. There are several potential causes of vaccine failure in cats:
Maternal antibodies – Kittens acquire antibodies from their mother’s milk that can interfere with vaccination. Maternal antibodies usually wane by 8-12 weeks of age, so kittens should not be vaccinated until at least this age.[1]
Improper storage or administration – Vaccines can lose potency if not stored or administered properly. Using expired vaccines or not following label directions can lead to inadequate immune response.
Chronic disease – Cats with diseases like FIV, FeLV or kidney disease may not respond normally to vaccination.[2]
Immunosuppression – Medications, illness, stress or age can suppress the immune system’s ability to respond to vaccines.
Mutant strains – Antigenic drift in pathogens like feline herpesvirus can allow mutant strains to evade existing antibodies.
If vaccine failure is suspected, the cat should be revaccinated 2-4 weeks after the initial dose. Persistent lack of antibody response may warrant antibody titer testing and a booster regime tailored to the individual cat.
Importance of Exams
It is essential for cats to have a full veterinary exam before receiving vaccines. Exams allow vets to establish a baseline of your cat’s health and ensure your cat is healthy enough for vaccinations (“Importance of Exams with Vaccines”). During exams, vets will check your cat’s vitals, weight, oral health, coat condition, and more. Vets can detect any underlying illnesses that may be present before administering vaccines.
Vet exams are also critical for monitoring antibody levels in cats after vaccination. Cats who have received their kitten shots may still require antibody level testing later in life to ensure the vaccines provided effective protection. Checking antibody levels through exams helps vets determine if booster vaccines are needed (“An Exam Before Vaccines: Does My Pet Really Need This?”).
Annual exams allow vets to screen cats for common feline illnesses such as dental disease, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and cancer. Catching these conditions early improves outcomes. Therefore, vet exams are a vital part of responsible preventative care when vaccinating cats.
Costs
The cost of vaccines for kittens versus adult cats can vary. According to one source, the typical cost of core kitten vaccines like distemper and rabies ranges from $15 to $25 per dose, with a total first-year cost of $160 to $210 for a full series of shots [1]. For adult cats, core vaccines like rabies boosters can cost $15 to $35 per dose. Non-core vaccines like feline leukemia can cost $25 to $45 per dose.
Some additional factors that affect the cost of cat vaccines include the vet clinic, geographic location, vaccine brand, and type. Wellness plans that bundle vaccines together can also help reduce costs. But overall, core vaccines for adult cats tend to range from $15 to $35 per dose, with non-core options adding $25 to $45 per dose.
Vaccine Types
There are several core vaccines that are recommended for almost all cats to protect against common and serious feline diseases (1):
- FVRCP – This combination vaccine protects against three upper respiratory infections: feline viral rhinotracheitis (herpesvirus), calicivirus, and panleukopenia (parvo). It is considered a core vaccine for cats. (2)
- Rabies – The rabies vaccine is required by law in most areas for cats. Rabies is fatal once symptoms develop.
- FELV – The feline leukemia virus vaccine protects cats against the immunosuppressive and sometimes deadly effects of feline leukemia virus. It is recommended for cats going outdoors or living with positive cats.
There are also non-core vaccines that may be recommended based on lifestyle factors like FeLV, FIP, ringworm, and chlamydia. (1)
Most cat vaccines today are recombinant vaccines that do not require adjuvants to provoke an immune response. This makes them very safe with minimal risk of vaccine reactions compared to past adjuvanted vaccines. (3)
(1) https://www.splootvets.com/post/the-ultimate-pet-parents-guide-to-cat-vaccines
(2) https://www.advancedanimalcaremp.com/services/cats/cat-vaccinations
(3) https://petfriendlybox.com/resource-center/what-vaccines-do-cats-need
Conclusion
To summarize, kittens and adult cats require a series of core vaccines to protect against common and potentially fatal diseases like panleukopenia, herpesvirus, calicivirus, rabies, and feline leukemia. Kittens start getting vaccines as early as 6-8 weeks old and require boosters every 2-4 weeks until 16 weeks old to build up sufficient immunity. Adult cats need vaccine boosters 1 year after their kitten shots and then every 1-3 years depending on vaccine type and risk factors. Lifestyle factors like indoor/outdoor access and health status determine revaccination frequency. While vaccines are extremely safe, side effects like fever and lethargy can occur. Following your veterinarian’s recommendations ensures your cat receives maximum protection against disease. Vaccinating not only protects your cat, but also prevents spread of contagious illnesses to other pets and people.
It’s important for cat owners to follow their veterinarian’s individualized vaccine protocol to fully protect their cat based on lifestyle, risk factors, and medical history. Staying up to date on core vaccines is the best way to keep cats healthy and give them long, fulfilling lives.