Just like dogs, your cats and kittens need vaccinations against several ailments that can impact the wellbeing of your pet.
What diseases do cat vaccinations protect cats against?
You can immunise against various feline illnesses by scheduling your cat vaccinations; these are the four most common diseases that we recommend vaccinating against:
- Feline Leukaemia (FeLV)
- Feline Calicivirus (FCV)
- Feline Panleucopenia
- Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis
Feline Leukaemia (FeLV) - Kittens tend to be more susceptible to FeLV infection. Cats are commonly infected orally, by ingestion of the virus. The virus replicates locally in tissues and rapidly spreads to local lymphoid tissue. It can cause cancerous conditions such as leukaemia to a wide range of secondary infections caused by the destruction of the immune system. Several cat vaccinations are available, and these generally appear to provide a valuable level of protection against infection.
Feline Calicivirus (FCV) - Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a highly contagious virus that is one of the common causes of upper respiratory infections or cat flu in cats. Cat Vaccination for FCV is important for all cats. Vaccinations are recommended in kittens, starting at an early age. Cats should receive a booster at a year of age, and after that should receive further booster vaccines.
Feline Panleucopenia - Most cats will be exposed to this virus during their lifetimes and infection rates in unprotected cats can run as high as 90%, vaccination against this potentially fatal disease is absolutely essential. Symptoms can include listlessness, diarrhoea, vomiting, severe dehydration, and fever. A cat vaccination is very effective in preventing the disease and is an absolute must!
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis – The symptoms of this disease may take the form of fever, loss of appetite, eye and nasal discharges and coughing. Kittens are particularly affected, but this disease can be dangerous in any unprotected cat, as effective treatment is limited. Even if a cat recovers, it can remain a carrier for life.
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Cat Vaccinations FAQ
Why are cat vaccinations necessary?
Vaccinations are essential for providing your cat with adequate protection from life-threatening and debilitating diseases. There is the option of Titre testing, which involves blood samples to determine your cat’s immunity. Unfortunately, this is not always 100% reliable and can be costly to perform. Cats also staying in boarding or cattery facilities are often required to be vaccinated if you're planning to go on holiday.
Do Indoor cats need vaccinations?
Indoor cats still require vaccines, but this may be a reduced course that only includes cat flu and enteritis. However, many indoor cat owners still have a full vaccination course each year just in case their cat decides to go out exploring!
What happens if you don’t vaccinate your cat?
Deciding not to vaccinate runs the risk of your cat contracting various harmful diseases. If you also want to travel with your cat or need them to stay in boarding facilities or catteries, most sites require up to date vaccination status and will not accept unvaccinated animals. A simple yearly vaccination course can help to protect your cat so they can live a happy and healthy life.
Should you vaccinate an older cat?
As long as your cat is fit and healthy, we would always recommend vaccinations for your cat. These vaccinations provide protection from harmful diseases.
How much does it cost to vaccinate a cat?
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Can a vet tell if a cat has been vaccinated?
There is no way to tell if a cat has been vaccinated physically; however, if your cat has a vaccination card, previous vet records or microchip details, our team can look into your cat's history where possible.
