Cat Vaccinations and how they Protect from Disease.

Cat Vaccinations are the best way to keep your beloved pet free from nasty cat diseases, so make sure they are kept up to date with their vaccinations every year as part of your regular cat care routine.

What are Cat Vaccinations?

Vaccines boost your cats immunity against potentially fatal diseases. They also stop your cat from being a carrier of the disease and from spreading the infection around. They are usually given by injection under the skin behind the back of the neck.

Cat vaccinations contain harmless forms of viruses or bacteria which cause certain cat illnesses. By having the injection, the cats immune system is stimulated to produce antibodies to fight the infection. This reaction is 'remembered' by your cats immune system so that when it later comes into contact with the disease in real life, they can successfully fight off the infection.

What are the risks of vaccination?

There is of course the short and temporary discomfort of the injection itself, but also the rare risk of side effects and adverse reactions to the vaccine.

The potential benefits of protecting against fatal cat illnesses usually outweigh the potential risks from side effects. However, it is good to discuss any concerns you have with your vet. Most reactions are mild and short lived, but some cats may experience a swelling at the injection site, or tiredness and flu like symptoms following the vaccination. Our little cat Mo didn't want to move, eat, purr or do anything for a good twenty four hours following her vaccination, but the next day she returned to her normal self with no harm done. For her next booster injection she showed no bad effects at all as her body was now used to the vaccine.

How Often Are Cat Vaccinations Given?

A kitten gets its natural protection (immunity) against cat diseases from antibodies in its mothers milk. Then at around 6 to 10 weeks, this benefit starts to reduce. This is why vets recommend a kittens first vaccines should be given in two doses at about 9 and then 12 weeks. You should keep your kitten away from strange cats until two weeks following the second dose to ensure the vaccination has had time to take effect.

The protection a vaccine gives may not last a lifetime and it is usually recommended that cats have 'booster' or 'top-up' injections once a year.

However, there is some difference of opinion on how frequent booster vaccines are needed and your vet should be able to advise you on this.

What Diseases Can I Vaccinate My Cat Against?

Cat Flu -This is the one that most cat owners have heard of. Cat Flu is very common and most vets consider a vaccination against it to be essential. However, because there are so many different strains of Flu, cat vaccinations will not totally eradicate the disease from the cat population, but your cats chances of suffering from it will be greatly reduced. There are two types of Cat Flu that are vaccinated against: feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV).

Feline Infectious Enteritis (FIE). -Another essential Vaccine! Cat vaccinations against this disease have proved to be very successful. Feline Infectious Enteritis is caused by the feline parvovirus or feline panleukopenia virus. This infects the cats gut and is so severe it can often be fatal. The virus is very common in the environment so unvaccinated cats are at great risk of contracting the disease.

Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) - Another essential vaccination, and another one most cat owners have heard of! This virus can lead to diseases like progressive anemia, lymphoma (a form of cancer) and leukaemia. It is often fatal with most cats dying within three years of diagnosis. Cats can only contract the virus directly, usually from a bite from another cat, but considering the serious nature of the disease and that the infection lasts for the cats lifetime, most vets consider this vaccination essential.

Feline Chlamydophilosis - This is a type of bacteria that causes conjunctivitis in cats. It is spread by direct contact between cats and is often seen in kittens or in households with many cats living together. For these reasons it is best to discuss your own situation with your vet, and they will be able to advise you if this vaccine is necessary or not.