Vaccination schedule for cats -Schedule, Side Effects, and Costs
Wondering what vaccines your cat needs and how often he should get vaccinated? We have established the vaccination schedule for cats so you can protect your pet.
In the United States, the American Association of Feline Physicians oversees a Feline Vaccination Advisory Group, which periodically reviews vaccination guidelines and research, and provides recommendations and a vaccination schedule for all cats.
Vaccine Categories: Essential and Non-Essential
Vaccines fall into two categories: “essential” vaccines (recommended for all cats and kittens, including indoor cats) and “non-essential” vaccines (recommended for some cats based on their lifestyle and health status). health).
Your veterinarian can tell you which non-core vaccines are recommended for your cat or kitten based on their lifestyle, age, and health, which can help you determine their risk of exposure. Decipher the signs of sick felines effectively. This article explores the various indicators, both subtle and explicit, that may suggest your cat is not feeling well. Equip yourself with the knowledge to recognize and address potential health issues in your feline friend.
The vaccination schedule varies depending on the age of the cat. Kitten vaccination programs generally have more vaccines than adult vaccination programs (for cats that were not vaccinated as kittens). Recall recommendations vary depending on the vaccine and the cat’s risk of exposure.
Basic vaccination schedule for cats
Core vaccines for cats include feline panleukopenia (distemper or FPV), feline herpesvirus (feline viral rhinotracheitis), feline calicivirus (FCV), and rabies virus.
For cats, a combination vaccine (abbreviated FVRCP) covers rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia. Your cat will only receive one shot, but will be vaccinated against all three viruses.
Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV; Feline distemper)
Feline panleukopenia virus is a type of feline parvovirus that attacks the intestinal lining, bone marrow, and lymph nodes of cats. Often fatal, it is extremely contagious, especially to kittens.
| Initial Kitten Vaccination: From 6 to 8 weeks of age, the feline panleukopenia vaccine is administered once every three to four weeks, until the kitten is 16 to 20 weeks old. |
| Initial vaccination of adult cats: Unvaccinated adult cats should receive two doses, three to four weeks apart. |
| Recommendation for withdrawals: The cat should be revaccinated one year after the first vaccination; Thereafter, cats should receive a booster shot every three years. |
Feline herpesvirus (FHV-1; feline viral rhinotracheitis)
Feline herpesvirus causes upper respiratory tract infections and eye infections. It is extremely contagious between cats and once infected, cats can be asymptomatic carriers throughout their lives.
| Initial Kitten Vaccination: From 6 to 8 weeks of age, the feline herpes virus vaccine is administered once every three to four weeks, until the kitten is 16 to 20 weeks old. |
| Initial vaccination of adult cats: Unvaccinated adult cats should receive two doses, three to four weeks apart. |
| Recommendation for withdrawals: The cat should be revaccinated one year after the first vaccination; Thereafter, cats should receive a booster shot every three years. |
Feline calicivirus (FCV)
Feline calicivirus causes respiratory infections and oral diseases. It is extremely contagious between cats.
| Initial Kitten Vaccination: From 6 to 8 weeks of age, the feline calicivirus vaccine is administered once every three to four weeks, until the kitten is 16 to 20 weeks old. |
| Initial vaccination of adult cats: Unvaccinated adult cats should receive two doses, three to four weeks apart. |
| Recommendation for withdrawals: The cat should be revaccinated one year after the first vaccination; Thereafter, cats should receive a booster shot every three years. |
Rabies virus
Rabies is a virus that infects mammals, including cats, dogs, wild animals, and humans. Since rabies is a serious zoonosis (transmissible from animals to humans), most states have laws requiring all cats to be vaccinated against rabies and receive booster shots for life.
| Initial Kitten Vaccination: A single dose of rabies vaccine is given when the kitten is 12 weeks or older. |
| Initial vaccination of adult cats: A single dose of rabies vaccine. |
| Recommendation for withdrawals: The cat should be revaccinated one year after the first vaccination; Thereafter, cats should receive a booster shot every year or every three years, depending on the rabies vaccine used. The recommended frequency for rabies vaccination varies depending on the vaccine manufacturer (some rabies vaccines are only valid for one year, others for three years). |
Vaccination schedule for non-essential cats
Non-core vaccines for cats include feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough), and feline infectious peritonitis (FIP).
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV)
The feline leukemia virus is neither leukemia nor cancer. It is a virus. However, because the virus suppresses the cat’s immune system, it can cause cancer and other infections and diseases in them.
| Initial vaccination of the kitten: Starting at 8 weeks, two doses of the feline leukemia virus vaccine are administered, with an interval of three to four weeks. |
| Initial vaccination of adult cats: Unvaccinated adult cats should receive two doses, three to four weeks apart. |
| Recommendation for withdrawals: The cat should be revaccinated one year after the initial series of vaccinations; Thereafter, cats should receive a booster shot every year or every two years, depending on whether the cat is at high or low risk for infection (the veterinarian can assess each cat’s risk level). |
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)
Feline immunodeficiency virus weakens a cat’s immune system, making it more prone to contracting other infections.
Although an FIV vaccine is now available, its effectiveness was questionable and the vaccine is no longer produced or distributed in North America. Vaccination against IVF is no longer recommended.
| Initial kitten vaccination: Not recommended. |
| Initial vaccination of adult cats: Not recommended. |
| Recommendation for reinforcement: Not recommended. |
Bordetella Bronchiseptica (kennel cough)
Bordetella bronchiseptica can cause severe lower respiratory tract disease, usually in kittens. According to the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Bordetella infection is rare in cats. This vaccine is therefore not recommended for pets, although it can be used in some high-risk environments where several cats live.
| Initial kitten vaccination: Not recommended. |
| Initial vaccination of adult cats: Not recommended. |
| Recommendation for reinforcement: Not recommended. |
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)
Feline infectious peritonitis is caused by certain strains of the feline coronavirus.
Most cats infected with feline enteric coronavirus (FeCV) have few symptoms of the disease, but about 10% of infected cats develop severe, usually fatal, symptoms. Although a vaccine against FIP is available, its effectiveness is questionable. AAFP does not recommend vaccination against FIP .
| Initial kitten vaccination: Not recommended. |
| Initial vaccination of adult cats: Not recommended. |
| Recommendation for reinforcement: Not recommended. |
Understanding the cat vaccination schedule can be confusing at times.
It is always best to work with your veterinarian to determine what vaccines your cat needs and how often he should be vaccinated.
Vaccination Summary and Vaccination Schedule for Cats
| Vaccination type | Initial vaccination of the kitten. | Initial vaccination of adults | Recommendation for propellants | Core/Non-Core |
| Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV; Feline distemper) | From 6 to 8 weeks of age, the feline panleukopenia vaccine is administered once every three to four weeks, until the kitten is 16 to 20 weeks old. | Unvaccinated adult cats should receive two doses, three to four weeks apart. | The cat must be revaccinated one year after the first vaccination; Thereafter, cats should receive a booster shot every three years. | Center |
| Feline herpesvirus (FHV-1; feline viral rhinotracheitis) | From 6 to 8 weeks of age, the feline herpes virus vaccine is administered once every three to four weeks, until the kitten is 16 to 20 weeks old. | Unvaccinated adult cats should receive two doses, three to four weeks apart. | The cat must be revaccinated one year after the first vaccination; Thereafter, cats should receive a booster shot every three years. | Center |
| Feline calicivirus (FCV) | From 6 to 8 weeks of age, the feline calicivirus vaccine is administered once every three to four weeks, until the kitten is 16 to 20 weeks old. | Unvaccinated adult cats should receive two doses, three to four weeks apart. | The cat must be revaccinated one year after the first vaccination; Thereafter, cats should receive a booster shot every three years. | Center |
| Rabies virus | A single dose of rabies vaccine is given when the kitten is 12 weeks or older. | A single dose of rabies vaccine. | The cat must be revaccinated one year after the first vaccination; Thereafter, cats should receive a booster shot every year or every three years, depending on the rabies vaccine used. | Center |
| Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) | Starting at 8 weeks, two doses of the feline leukemia virus vaccine are administered, three to four weeks apart. | Unvaccinated adult cats should receive two doses, three to four weeks apart. | The cat should be revaccinated one year after the initial series of vaccinations; Thereafter, cats should receive a booster shot every year or two. | Not basic |
| Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) | Not recommended. | Not recommended. | Not recommended. | Not basic |
| Bordetella Bronchiseptica (kennel cough) | Not recommended. | Not recommended. | Not recommended. | Not basic |
| Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) | Not recommended. | Not recommended. | Not recommended. | Not basic |
