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Vaccination is one of the most important things you need to do for your kitten.

Our vaccination protocol follows recommendations given by the American Association of Feline Practitioners Vaccine Advisory Panel. This expert panel has grouped feline vaccines into either “core vaccines” or non-core vaccines”.

Core vaccines are recommended for all cats regardless of their lifestyle or risk factors and include protection against feline panleukopenia, feline herpes virus and feline calicivirus.

Non-core vaccines are only given to cats who are in specific risk categories. These include vaccinations that protect against feline leukaemia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus and Chlamydophila felis.

To determine your cats risk it is important that you discuss your cat’s lifestyle with one of our vets so we can individualise their vaccine program.

Feline “Core” Vaccines

Feline panleukopenia, or Feline Infectious Enteritis is a life-threatening illness that is most commonly seen in young kittens. It has a very fast onset of symptoms such as a high temperature, loss of appetite, depression, vomiting, diarrhoea and rapid weight loss. Sadly, fatalities are common. It is a highly contagious virus and can persist in the environment for long periods. Vaccination is highly effective in protecting against infection from feline panleukopenia.

Feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus cause a condition called “cat flu”. Symptoms of cat flu include sneezing, coughing, discharge from the eyes and nose, a loss of appetite and sometimes ulcers on the tongue and eyes. This can lead to severe dehydration and debilitation and in severe cases pneumonia and death. Both viruses are easily spread through direct contact between cats, or via contaminated food bowls, bedding or on a person’s hands. After recovering from infection, some cats can become a carrier of the virus and remain contagious to other cats for months afterwards.

Both of these two viruses are very common, and given the severity of symptoms that many cats develop, vaccination is important for all cats. Although vaccination for feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus does not always prevent infection, it will help greatly in reducing the severity of symptoms if a vaccinated cat does become infected.

An F3 vaccine will provides protection against all three of these viruses. Kittens receive their initial vaccination between 6-8 weeks of age, and then require booster vaccines given at 12 weeks of age and 16 weeks of age.

A first annual booster should be given 12 months later to ensure a good level of immunity. After that the frequency of the booster vaccination varies depending on the individual risk of the cat.

Feline “Non-core” Vaccines

Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) is an important viral infection in cats. The most common effect of FeLV infection is immunosuppression. The virus infects the cells of the cat’s immune system by killing or damaging them. This leaves the cat vulnerable to a wide variety of other diseases and secondary infections. Cats that are persistently infected with FeLV have an increased risk of developing cancers such as lymphoma and leukaemia, as well as severe anaemia. Most cases of FeLV can be diagnosed with a blood test however there is no specific treatment for the disease.

A vaccine for FeLV is available and is recommended in situations where cats have a high risk of exposure to the virus. This includes any cat that goes outdoors unsupervised, or that mixes with a cat that goes outdoors unsupervised, or that mixes with a cat of unknown FeLV status (such as a rescued stray).

Kittens receive their initial at 12 weeks of age and then receive a booster at 16 weeks of age. FeLV vaccines can be given with an F3 vaccine. A first annual booster should be given 12 months later to ensure a good level of immunity.

It is important to remember that a fully vaccinated cat may still not be fully protected from FeLV infection. Therefore it is not recommended to knowingly to mix a FeLV-infected cat or a cat of unknown FeLV status with a vaccinated uninfected cat. All new cats that enter your household should be tested for FeLV and FIV prior to introduction to your other cats. Unlike FIV vaccines, the FeLV vaccination does not interfere with the FeLV blood tests.

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a blood borne viral infection that interferes with the cat’s immune system. The virus is transmitted from cat to cat by bite wounds sustained during fighting. Initial symptoms may include fever and diarrhoea, and can progress to severe chronic infections if the immune system is overcome. Like FeLV, there is no treatment or cure for the virus itself.

Vaccination is available and may be recommended by your veterinarian if your cat is considered to be at risk.

Feline chlamydophilosis is a bacterial infection caused by Chlamydophila felis and results in mild but prolonged symptoms of conjunctivitis in one or both eyes. It can occur in cats of all ages but is more common in multi-cat households. Chlamydophila can be treated with medications but can be difficult to clear completely.

Vaccinations are only recommended in those in high risk environments (regular cattery visits, multi-cat households) or, to manage a confirmed disease outbreak.

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