FVRCP

Commonly known as "the cat distemper vaccine" is a combination vaccine for Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR), Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia virus.  All are highly contagious, and can be spread by direct cat to cat contact or by exposure to objects contaminated by an infected cat.  FVR and Calici typically cause upper respiratory signs like sneezing, nasal discharge and breathing difficulties.  They may cause eye irritation and oral lesions.  They can vary in severity from a mild nuisance to very severe illness.  They can cause chronic, lifelong, intermittent sneezing and eye irritation in some cats.  We regularly see cats and kittens suffering from acute FVR and Calici, and we have many feline patients who suffer the chronic form.  Many of these patients were kittens born to unvaccinated mothers, or kittens raised without veterinary care.  Panleukopenia is spread by indirect contact with infected animals or objects.  It is extremely widespread, although most infections do not cause clinical signs.  It can, however, cause fever, depression, and anorexia.  Severely affected cats may die from the infection.

FVRCP vaccine is given to all kittens at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age.  At one year of age we booster with FVRCP vaccine, then every 1 to 3 years based on individual risk factors.

Rabies

Rabies is a fatal disease of the nervous system, most commonly transmitted by bites from an infected animal.  Humans and animals can and do die from rabies virus.  Vaccination is required by law.

Rabies vaccine is given to all kittens at 12 weeks of age, boostered at 1 year, then every 3 years thereafter.

Feline Leukemia Virus

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) can damage the immune system, and can cause cancer.  It is frequently fatal to cats.  It can be spread from cat to cat by casual contact, or exposure to contaminated objects.

FeLV vaccine is given to at risk patients at 9 and 12 weeks, or at 12 and 16 weeks, then every 1 year.  At risk patients are cats who are allowed outdoors or indoor cats who socialize with outdoor cats.

FVRCP and Rabies are considered core vaccines by AAHA and AAFP, thus we require that all of our feline patients be current on these unless they have a documented medical reason otherwise. FeLV is non-core, we use it only for at risk cats.

Other vaccines are available for cats, however, they are not considered beneficial to most patients.  Thus, they are considered non-core or are not recommended.  These vaccines are for diseases such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), Chlamydophila felis, Bordetella bronchiseptica, and Giardia.