Current Vaccination Recommendations

for Kittens and Cats

The following information was derived from:

The 2006 Report of the American Association of Feline Practitioners

Feline Vaccine Advisory Panel Report,

Feline Vaccination Protocols, Feline Vaccines: Benefits and Risks,

The CDC, Merial, Heska and Pfizer.

This brochure was originally prepared by VAS Awareness and the VAS Cat Show Group

in collaboration with James Richards, DVM, director of the Cornell Feline Health Center.

The “Respiratory” Vaccines

Feline Panleukopenia (FPV) is caused by feline parvovirus and is commonly known as feline distemper. It is a highly contagious and deadly disease in cats. The vaccine to protect against FPV is considered a “core” vaccine, meaning that vaccination against feline parvovirus is recommended for all cats.

Nursing kittens are protected by antibodies that they get from their mother’s colostrum and milk. Colostrum is provided in the first few days of life, until the mother’s milk comes in, and contains a large portion of the antibodies transferred to kittens. The presence of these maternal antibodies in the kitten may decrease the response of the kitten’s immune system to a vaccine administered by your vet. Depending on the level of antibodies passed on by the mother, and the amount of colostrum the kitten received, there can be an adequate response by the kitten’s immune system to the vaccine anywhere between 6-16 weeks of age.

Most vaccinated kittens are well protected from development of this disease and its symptoms. Research has indicated that the injectable form of this vaccine can produce an immunity that lasts at least 7 years. This vaccine is available without adjuvant (explained below in the section on rabies vaccines) in an injectable form, or as nasal drops (intranasal). The American Association of Feline Practitioners and the Academy of Feline Medical Advisory Panel on Feline Vaccines recommends that this vaccine be given to kittens as early as 6 weeks of age, then every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age. If your kitten does not receive this vaccine until he or she is 16 weeks of age or older, the recommendation for this vaccine is for 2 doses given 3 to 4 weeks apart. Following the kitten series, a booster is recommended 1 year later and then no more frequently than once every 3 years. When given as a shot, this vaccine should be administered sub-cutaneously (SC) on the lateral side of the right forelimb below the elbow joint, avoiding the “scruff” area.

Feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR)/(feline herpesvirus-1 or FHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV). These viruses account for up to 90% of all cases of infectious upper respiratory diseases in cats. Once infected, many cats never completely rid themselves of the virus. These “carrier” cats serve as a major source of infection to other cats. The vaccines for FHV-1 and FCV are considered a “core” vaccine, meaning that these vaccines are recommended for all cats. This vaccine, sometimes referred to FVRC, is a combination vaccine, and you may hear it referred to as a “two-in-one” or a “bivalent” vaccine. It may be combined with feline parvovirus (above) and referred to as a “three-in-one” or a “trivalent” vaccine called FVRCP.

This vaccine is available without adjuvant as an injection, or in an intranasal product. The American Association of Feline Practitioners and the Academy of Feline Medical Advisory Panel on Feline Vaccines recommends that this vaccine be given to kittens as early as 6 weeks of age, then every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age. If your kitten does not receive this vaccine until he or she is 16 weeks of age or older, the recommendation for this vaccine is for 2 doses given 3 to 4 weeks apart. Following the kitten series, a booster is recommended 1 year later and then no more frequently than once every 3 years. When given as a shot, this vaccine should be administered sub-cutaneously (SC) on the lateral side of the right forelimb below the elbow joint, avoiding the “scruff” area.

Rabies Virus

Rabies. Rabies is transmitted mainly through bite wounds of other infected animals. Cats develop rabies more often than any other domestic animal. While data collected by the Centers for Disease Control between 1990 and 2001 show no cases of human rabies contracted as a result of cat bites, rabies remains a concern because it is deadly for the cat and because of the fear that it may be transmitted to humans. Therefore, rabies virus vaccination is considered a “core” vaccine and is recommended for all cats.

Deadly cancers, called feline vaccine-associated sarcomas, have been more commonly observed since rabies vaccines began to contain an additive called an adjuvant. An adjuvant is a compound that is added to the vaccine to trigger a stronger inflammatory reaction at the location of the injection than a non-adjuvant vaccine does. There is concern that the adjuvant and the inflammation may predispose some cats to develop a vaccine-associated sarcoma. All rabies vaccines contain adjuvant with the exception of a product called Purevax ®, which was developed by vaccine manufacturer Merial.

Rabies shots should be given SC on the lateral side of the right hind limb below the stifle (knee) joint. If your vet gives your kitten an adjuvanted Rabies injection, it may be given as a single dose as early as 12 weeks of age, with revaccination 1 year later. Thereafter, laws governing the administration of rabies virus vaccines vary around the country. These laws dictate how often your cat should receive a rabies vaccination. You will need to check with your vet, or your city or county animal control to ask about rabies laws in your area. Some areas of the United States do not require rabies vaccines at all, and you will not be required to vaccinate your cat for rabies if you live in one of these areas. Some areas require rabies vaccinations every 3 years, while others continue to require annual rabies vaccinations.

Purevax ®, Merial’s non-adjuvant rabies product, can be given to kittens as early as 8 weeks of age. With USDA approval pending to administer this vaccine less frequently, it is currently recommended annually. Adjuvanted rabies vaccines are recommended to be given every three years, but many experts agree that the Purevax ® rabies vaccine given annually is safer than an adjuvanted rabies vaccine given every three years.

Feline Leukemia Virus

Feline leukemia virus. Feline leukemia virus is abbreviated FeLV. It is the leading viral killer of cats. It is spread from cat-to-cat through mutual grooming, shared food or water dishes, bite wounds, direct contact with infected cats, and/or from an infected mother cat to her kittens. Kittens and young adult cats the most susceptible to infection. Cats at greatest risk for FeLV are outdoor cats, cats that live in environments with other cats going outside, cats living with other FeLV-infected cats, and cats in homes where the FeLV status of other cats in the house is unknown. Resistance to FeLV increases as kittens mature to adulthood. Adult cats are more likely to be relatively resistant to FeLV, and less than 5% of adult cats, regardless of whether they are a pet or wild, are actually infected with FeLV. However, this resistance is not absolute, and adult cats may still become infected with FeLV if not vaccinated.

FeLV vaccines are available as an adjuvanted injectable vaccine or without adjuvant as a transdermal, non-injectable vaccine, called Purevax ®Vet-Jet ™ by Merial. FeLV vaccines, especially those containing adjuvant, have been linked to feline vaccine-associated sarcoma.

The FeLV vaccine is considered “noncore”, meaning that it should only be administered to cats at risk of exposure to the virus. “At risk” cats include outdoor cats, indoor cats exposed to outdoor cats, cats living in multiple-cat environments where incoming cats are not tested for FeLV, or cats living in the same environment with cats known to be infected with FeLV.

Discuss your cat’s age, environment and risk of exposure with your vet. Vaccination against FeLV is recommended for cats that are at risk of exposure. Kittens may begin vaccination as early as 8 weeks of age, with a second dose given 3-4 weeks later. For kittens that don’t receive their first FeLV vaccine until after the age of 16 weeks, 2 doses are recommended, 3-4 weeks apart. Following these initial vaccinations, annual revaccination is recommended in cats at risk of exposure to FeLV. This vaccine is available. FeLV shots should be administered SC on the lateral side of the left hind limb below the stifle (knee) joint.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). This vaccine was released in July of 2002. This vaccine contains adjuvant and is not available in a non-adjuvanted form.

All cat owners need to know that if you consent to vaccination of your cat using this vaccine, your cat will test positive for the infection. If your cat should be picked up by Animal Control and taken to a shelter, it is likely that your cat will be tested for this infection. Most shelters will euthanize stray cats that test positive for FIV. There is no way for a shelter to tell the difference between a cat that is actually infected with the virus and one that is vaccinated against it. In our view, this is a significant drawback to this vaccine and something that you will need to seriously consider before you consent to this vaccine for your cat.

Because cats will test positive for FIV infection as a result of this vaccine, many experts do not recommend this vaccine for routine use. It is considered a “noncore” vaccination. We recommend that cat owners who are considering this vaccine have an in-depth discussion with your vet prior to consent for this vaccine. Should you decide to consent for your cat to be vaccinated against FIV, it is recommended that your cat is tested for infection prior to this vaccination, and that the results of that test are negative. It is also recommended that your cat be microchipped to clarify its vaccination status. The recommended injection site for FIV is SC on the lateral side of the left hind limb below the stifle (knee) joint.

The following vaccines are currently considered to be non-core and should only be considered when the cat is at risk of exposure: Chlamydiosis, and Bordatella Brochiseptia. Be aware: Chlamydiosis vaccine is sometimes combined with FVRCP as a “4 in 1” combination vaccine.

The following vaccines are currently “Not Generally Recommended” and the Advisory Panel believes they have little or no indication for use: Feline Infectious Peritonitis/Feline Coronavirus (FIP or FCoV), and Giardiasis.

Vaccines manufactured without adjuvant

The following vaccines are some of those manufactured without adjuvant:

All “modified live virus” vaccines are adjuvant-free, regardless of the manufacturer.

Merial: Purevax ® Brands: Feline

Heska: Bivalent Intranasal (FVRC), Trivalent Intranasal (FVRCP)

Pfizer: Felomune ® CVR: intranasal bivalent (herpesvirus/calicivirus) vaccine (FVRC).

A detailed list of vaccines by Brand name, Manufacturer, and Description is included in the 2006 American Association of Feline Practitioners Feline Vaccine Advisory Report on pages 1410-1411. See reference #1 below.

References

The information provided in this brochure has been derived from the following references:

1) The 2006 American Association of Feline Practitioners Feline Vaccine Advisory Panel Report. You can find a link to this report at www.vas-awarness.org.

2) 2000 Report of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the Academy of Feline Medicine Advisory Panel on Feline Vaccines (74 references). You can find a link to this report at www.vas-awareness.org

3) Feline Vaccines: Benefits and Risks. Cornell Feline Health Center, Cornell University, College of Veterinary medicine, Ithaca, New York 14853-6401. http://web.vet.cornell.edu/Public/FHC/vaccbr.html

4) American Association of Feline Practitioners Information Brief in response to inquiries regarding Fel-O-Vax ® FIV, September 2002.

5) CDC: Table of Human Rabies Cases from 1990-2001. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/Professional/publications/Surveillance/Surveillance01/Table2-01.htm

6) Merial Purevax ® Rabies: http://us.merial.com/pdf/Labels/PurevaxFelineRabies.pdf

7) Merial Purevax ® Feline3: http://us.merial.com/pdf/Labels/PurevaxFeline3.pdf

8) Heska website: http://www.heska.com/products/lm_bivalent.asp

9) Pfizer Felomune ® CVR: http://www.pfizer.com/ah/vet/tref/merch/3695125.html

10) Intervet ProTex ® -FeLV: http://www.intervetusa.com/default.asp?C=2&SC=3&Sec=Products&Id=138

11) Merial Purevax ® VET JET ™ FeLV: http://us.merial.com/merial_corporate/news/press_releases/01-05-2005_Feline_Leukemia_Vaccine-PUREVAX.asp

This web page was originally prepared by VAS Awareness and the VAS Cat Show Group in collboration with James Richards, DVM. The information in this brochure may be reproduced only in it's entirety.

The information contained in this brochure is intended for general reference purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Veterinary medical information and treatment standards change rapidly and while we make efforts to obtain the most reliable, up-to-date information, some information may be out of date or even unreliable. This information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified professional. (12/2007)