Cat Vaccination Programs

Our primary goal in recommending any course of action with your kitten or cat is to ensure their health and well-being. The doctors at Murrayhill Veterinary Hospital recommend vaccines to prevent and control infectious disease that may be a danger to your cat. We also believe that vaccinating every pet against every possible disease may be harmful.   In fact, in 1991 veterinarians began to notice a higher than expected  number of tumors (called sarcomas) occurring at the sites of vaccine injections  in cats.  The incidence of these injection-associated  sarcomas is 1 in 2,000 to 1 in 10,000 cats. The incidence of this tumor in combination with recent research on the  duration of vaccine efficacy has lead the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the Academy of Feline Medicine to propose new guidelines for revaccination of cats.

Although no age group can be considered entirely free from risk, kittens (less than 6 months of age) are  generally more susceptible to infection than adult cats following exposure and  therefore, represent the principal target population for feline vaccination  protocols.  The following recommendations  are simply guidelines, and we will design a vaccination program specifically  for your cat that protects against infectious disease and is as safe as possible.

Even with this new conservative protocol, some cats may have vaccine reactions.  Many  cats may be lethargic or sore after vaccination, which is a normal  response.  However, if you notice that  your cat vomits, stops eating, or develops a lump at the site of the vaccine  injection, or other signs of illness, please call the hospital as soon as  possible.

Cat Vaccine Recommendations

Regardless of the vaccines that your cat may require, we recommend a physical exam every 6 months to evaluate your pet’s health. Remember cats age faster than humans. Every 1 year of your pet’s life is equivalent to 6 human years. During these regular checkups your veterinarian can identify any developing problems including dental disease, heart disease, and other problems which might not be apparent to you at home.  With early detection, many of these diseases may be treated or even prevented.  Although your pet’s vaccine protocol may change, an exam every six months with a veterinarian is still crucial to insure your cat’s continued health.

FVRCP

Recommendation for vaccination series:

• for kittens under 16 weeks of age and adult cats that have never been vaccinated series of two HCP Continuum vaccines four weeks apart, then every three years thereafter
• adult Cats:  HCP Continuum boostered every three years

Rabies

Recommendation for vaccination series:

• < 16 weeks: do not vaccinate
• > 16 weeks: 1 dose
• Booster Interval: Non-adjuvanted Pure-Vax rabies annually

FeLV (feline leukemia)

Recommendations for vaccination series for cats at risk as determined by your veterinarian:

• 2 doses, 3-4 weeks apart beginning at 8 weeks of age or older
• Booster Interval: 1 year later, then at doctor’s discretion depending on patient’s risk factors.

Note: Annual retesting is recommended for FELV and FIV for all outdoor cats.

FIV vaccine is not recommended.