Most core cat vaccinations aim to help prevent at least three diseases in kittens and cats: Feline Panleukopenia (FPV), Feline Herpesvirus 1 (FSV1), and Feline Calicivirus (FCV).
Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV, also called Feline Distemper or Feline Enteritis) is a highly contagious virus of the parvovirus group, with a high mortality rate. It is extremely “hardy” and may survive for months or years. It is easily transmitted through contact, either from cat-to-cat or by human-to-cat. Transmission can also occur via feeding equipment, litter trays, bedding, fleas (active stage), from an infected pregnant cat to her unborn kittens and by contact through hands, clothing and shoes.
Clinical signs of Feline Panleukopenia can include sudden onset fever, loss of appetite, dehydration, depression, vomiting and/or a “hunched” appearance. Treatment involves alleviating vomiting and diarrhoea to prevent subsequent dehydration, along with steps to prevent secondary bacterial infections, until the cat’s natural immune system takes over.
Feline Herpesvirus 1 and Feline Calicivirus are the most common causes of Feline Respiratory Disease (FRD), often called “cat flu” or “cat snuffles”. The most common symptoms of FRD are sneezing, discharge from the eyes and/or nose and loss of appetite. FRD is spread in a similar way to Feline Panleukopenia Virus. When cats are infected with the virus, they do not always show signs of illness, but can still be infectious to other cats, sometimes becoming ‘carriers’ of the disease. Stress factors such as illness or trauma, change of home, breeding, travelling, attending cat shows, house renovations, or a new person or pet in the household can be enough to trigger an episode of disease in a carrier cat.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is transmitted during a cat fight through biting. Every time your cat goes outside it may be potentially at risk of being bitten by an already infected cat. If bitten, the virus remains with your cat for life and gradually reduces decreases its immunity. This progression, known as Feline AIDS, can lead to an increase in infections and some types of cancer. Cats that develop disease caused by infection with FIV have a vastly decreased quality of life over time.
When do I vaccinate?
8 weeks of age – 1st Vaccination
12 weeks of age – 2nd Vaccination
16 weeks of age – 3rd Vaccination
Then vaccinated throughout life depending on risk factors will be annually or three yearly on your vet’s recommendation.
Why do we give vaccinations?
While kittens are suckling from their mother, they receive a temporary form of immunity from disease primarily through the mother’s colostrum. This immunity is in the form of proteins called antibodies and for the first 12-24 hours after birth, the kitten’s intestine allows the absorption of these antibodies directly into the blood stream.
This maternal immunity is only of benefit during the first few weeks of life and, at some point, the level of immunity falls and the kitten must begin to produce its own long-lasting protection against disease – vaccines are used for this purpose. As long as the mother’s antibodies are present, vaccinations do not have such a good chance to stimulate the kitten’s immune system, which is why we wait until at least 6 weeks of age to begin the vaccination course.
