Why Vaccinate?

Vaccinations are given to cats to prevent many kinds of contagious diseases.  Most of the vaccines prevent life-threatening illnesses in cats for which there is no cure.  Vaccines work by giving your cat a small amount of the virus that stimulates their immune system so that when they encounter the real virus, their immune system is prepared to fight off the disease.  Cats typically are given a series of vaccines as kittens and then are given boosters as needed throughout life.

At Cat Care Clinic, we recommend vaccines for your cat based on his or her lifestyle.  We firmly believe that all cats do not need all vaccines every year!

The vaccines available for cats are described below.  Please contact us if you have a question about vaccines for your cat.

Rabies

Rabies is a well-known, very serious disease that is fatal to cats.  The primary carrier of rabies in Florida is the raccoon.  Cats (and people!) can contract rabies from any mammal infected with it.  The usual route of transmission is by a bite.

In Volusia County, cats are required by law to be vaccinated against rabies.  At Cat Care Clinic we use the PureVax ™ rabies vaccine, which is adjuvant-free. The rabies vaccine is a very effective vaccine, and if given to your cat on a yearly basis, will prevent them from contracting this fatal disease.

Feline Distemper (FVRCP – Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis Calici Panleukopenia)

This vaccine is actually a combination vaccine that prevents (or lessens) disease from three different viruses.  These viruses can cause anything from chronic respiratory infections to fulminating, systemic disease that can lead to death.

These diseases are highly contagious, being spread by contact with respiratory secretions or excrement.  FVRCP is recommended for all cats tri-annually (every 3 years) after initial inoculation series.

Feline Leukemia (FeLV)

Feline leukemia is a virus that is spread from cat to cat via close contact (e.g. mutual grooming, biting).  Feline leukemia can cause anemia, a weakened immune system that leads to life-threatening infections, and tumors in various parts of the body.  Cats that acquire feline leukemia typically die within two years of diagnosis.

FeLV is usually spread by bite wounds, but can also be spread from queen (mother cat) to kitten.  The FELV vaccine is highly recommended for all kittens and for cats that venture outdoors.  At Cat Care Clinic we use the PureVax ™ Leukemia vaccine, which is adjuvant-free. It is administered transdermally, as opposed to the traditional needle and syringe method.  See the Vet-Jet page for a description of this new vaccine delivery system.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

Feline immunodeficiency virus is analogous to HIV in humans.  It is a virus that causes immune suppression and it is spread from cat to cat by cat bites.  FIV is not contagious to humans, and HIV is not contagious to cats.

A vaccine has been developed for cats for prevention of FIV, but we recommend against using it in the vast majority of cats for two main reasons:

   1. FIV is not spread by casual contact; and

   2. a cat vaccinated for FIV will show up as positive on testing for FIV.  (There is a new test that has just been announced that can differentiate cats who have had the FIV vaccine from cats that truly have FIV, but it is not commercially available yet, as of 7/08.)

If your cat goes outside and fights with other cats OR if your cat lives with an FIV-positive cat, we may consider vaccinating him or her for FIV.

Other Feline Vaccines

There are several other vaccines that are available and marketed for cats.  These include FIP, bordatella, giardia, and chlamydia.  Cat Care Clinic does not carry these vaccines because studies have shown them to be ineffective and unnecessary.