Feline Vaccines

Rabies

A virus which is shed in the saliva of infected animals. It causes neurologic disease in affected animals and is always fatal. All mammals are susceptible to rabies. Vaccination is required by law due to the risks of humans contracting the disease from their pets.


FVRCP

Distemper, Feline viral rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia = given to adult cats annually.

Distemper: Feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia. Given to cats annually.

Feline viral rhinotracheitis: A herpes virus which can cause recurrent eye infections and upper respiratory infections.

Calicivirus: A virus causing upper respiratory tract diseases in cats.

Panleukopenia: “Feline distemper” = A virus found in the same family as the parvovirus found in dogs. It causes severe depression, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and death.


FeLV

Feline leukemia is a virus affecting cats only which suppresses the immune system. There is no cure, and it will eventually lead to death. The virus is highly contagious and is shed in the saliva. It can be spread from one cat to another through casual contact, grooming, and sharing food and/or water bowls. Clinical sign of disease can be very vague and a blood or bone marrow test is required for diagnosis. The vaccine is given annually.


Chlamydia

A bacteria which causes conjunctivitis (eye infections) and upper respiratory disease. The vaccine may be beneficial for multiple cat households.


FIP

Feline Infectious Peritonitis is a virus which causes vague signs and is usually fatal. It is a rare disease found most commonly in catteries and multiple (many) cat households. The vaccine is controversial and is not recommended at Wildwood Veterinary Hospital.


Recently, certain vaccines have been implicated in causing a type of tumor, called fibrosarcoma. Fibrosarcomas are fast growing, aggressive tumors that are slow to spread to other organs. They appear initially as firm bumps under the skin at the site of injection. Much research has been done to find the cause of these tumors, but there is still a lot to learn. Although these tumors are serious, they occur rarely. The benefits of the vaccines far outweigh the risk of tumor in the vast majority of cases. Owners of strictly indoor cats are encouraged to discuss the risks versus benefits of vaccines with their veterinarians.


Possible Vaccination Reactions

Posibles Reacciones de la Vacunacion