| How often do you get your cat vaccinated? It | | | | Cat vaccines: Panleukopenia (cat distemper), |
| became customary back in the 1950's to get yearly | | | | Rhinotracheitis, Calici virus, Feline Leukemia virus |
| re-vaccinations. This wasn't based on any scientific | | | | (FeLV), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Feline |
| data. At the time it was believed there was no risk. | | | | Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) |
| We know different now. In fact adverse reactions | | | | Panleukopenia is life threatening. |
| from vaccines are so significant that all 27 Veterinary | | | | Rhinotracheitis and Calici virus are respiratory |
| schools in North America have updated their | | | | diseases. Like a cold they cause runny nose, runny |
| recommendations, as have these industry | | | | eyes and fever. They're not life threatening. |
| associations: | | | | Feline Leukemia virus requires direct, intimate, |
| - American Veterinary Medical Association | | | | cat-to-cat contact. An indoor cat is not at risk but |
| - American Animal Hospital Association | | | | you may want to consider it for an outdoor cat. |
| - World Small Animal Veterinary Association | | | | Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), also called Feline |
| - Australian Veterinary Association | | | | AIDS. FIV is believed to be spread only by bite |
| Current recommendations for re-vaccination range | | | | wounds. Indoor cats are not at risk. |
| from "3 or more years" to "7 or more years" to | | | | Feline Infectious Peritonitis vaccine (FIP) is generally |
| never. | | | | not very effective and is associated with severe side |
| Adverse Reactions | | | | effects. FIP is an upper respiratory infection |
| Vets generally only see immediate reactions. | | | | Indoor cats are not at risk for rabies but your |
| Symptoms can appear up to 45 days or even years | | | | municipality may require a rabies vaccination. Rabies |
| later. Reactions range from mild to debilitating including | | | | immunity duration studies overwhelmingly support a |
| death. | | | | duration of at least 3 years. Hopefully your |
| Injection site cancer has become so common | | | | municipality doesn't require yearly shots. |
| (160,000 cats a year in the US) that the American | | | | A conservative vaccination approach recommended |
| Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) | | | | by Dr. Pitcairn is for a single Distemper (Feline |
| Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force | | | | Panleukopenia) shot at 16 weeks. |
| recommends changing the injection site from | | | | It's best to get a single vaccination at a time |
| between the shoulder blades to the tail or hind leg so | | | | however, most vaccines come as a combination. For |
| it can be amputated if cancer develops. | | | | cats you'll likely get "3-in-1" - Panleukopenia, |
| Other adverse reactions include: | | | | Rhinotracheitis and Calici virus. |
| Allergies, chronic skin problems, inflammatory bowel | | | | Additional recommendations: |
| disease, colitis, pancreatitis, kidney failure, liver failure, | | | | - Don't vaccinate if your cat is sick or immune |
| arthritis, thyroid disease, epilepsy, seizures, paralysis, | | | | compromised. |
| auto-immune disease. | | | | - Don't vaccinate if your cat is receiving |
| Vaccine Protocol | | | | pharmaceuticals, especially steroids. |
| A vaccine protocol should be individualized for each | | | | - Don't vaccinate near or at the same time as |
| cat and include: | | | | surgery such as spaying/neutering. |
| (1) Which vaccines | | | | - Minimize stress as much as possible. |
| (2) How often | | | | - Maintain a good diet. |