Good Friends Animal Hospital
908 E. Main St. Urbana, IL
217-344-1017
Vaccination Instructions-Feline
After your pet’s vaccinations today, you may notice lethargy, decreased appetite, mild pain or swelling at the
injection sites, and/or slight fever for about 24 hours, which is considered a normal reaction. However, if your pet
displays any of these symptoms for more than 24 hours please contact our office as soon as possible. Additionally,
in rare cases, some cats will have an allergic reaction to a vaccine and could develop excessive vomiting and/or
diarrhea, hives or facial swelling. In these cases, treatment is usually needed. Should you notice any of these
clinical signs, please contact our office at 217-344-1017 or the Animal Emergency Clinic of Champaign County at
217-359-1977 if after hours for further instructions. Finally, you may notice a small lump where the vaccination
was administered. This should gradually decrease over the next 6-8 weeks, but if it does not, please let us know.
This is especially important to monitor in cats because, in rare cases, they can develop injection site sarcoma
(cancer).
Not all pets should be vaccinated with all available vaccines. Vaccinations are divided into core and non-core
based on an individual risk assessment. “Core” vaccines are recommended for MOST pets in a particular area
because they protect from diseases most common IN that area. “NON-CORE” vaccines are reserved for individual
pets with unique needs. All cats should receive vaccinations for rabies, rhinotracheitis, calici, and panleukopenia
(given as a combination FVRCP). The non-core vaccination is Feline Leukemia and is administered to those cats
that are considered to be at risk based on their lifestyle. The American Association for Feline Practitioners
recommends the feline leukemia vaccination for all kittens or any cat that spends time outdoors or is exposed to
other cats of unknown leukemia status. If your cat did not receive this vaccination (FeLV) and you would like
further information about this virus, we would be happy to provide you with an informative pamphlet. If, after
reviewing the material you decide to vaccinate your pet for leukemia, or if your pet's lifestyle changes resulting in a
change in risk of exposure (new cats being added to the house, spending time outside or exposure to cats through
open windows and/or screens), please contact us and we would be happy to schedule him/her an appointment.
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Over the past few years, there has been a growing professional and public awareness that vaccine products are not as
benign as first believed, and controversy exists as to the duration of immunity and frequency of administration.
The American Association of Feline Practitioners and the Academy of Feline Medicine provides guidelines to
veterinarians that are used as a foundation upon which to make specific recommendations for individual patients.
This set of guidelines has been endorsed by the American Animal Hospital Association. For kittens, vaccinations
are generally administered at 8, 12 and 16 weeks and then annually or triennially depending on the vaccination.
For adult cats who have previously not been vaccinated, a booster may be necessary 3-4 weeks following the initial
vaccination. All other cats receiving an annual or triennial vaccination will need to return on a yearly basis for
necessary boosters and, more importantly, an annual wellness exam.
The vaccination needs of cats should be assessed at least yearly and, if appropriate, vaccination schedules should be
modified on the basis of changes in the patient’s age, health status, home and travel environment and lifestyle.
Vaccinations should be considered just ONE component of an individualized comprehensive preventative
health-care plan based on the age, breed, health status, environment (potential exposure to harmful agents), lifestyle
(contact with other animals) and travel habits. A reminder card will be sent notifying you when vaccinations and
wellness exams are due.
Many factors are taken into consideration when establishing a pet’s vaccination plan. Doctor Norrell and the staff
at Good Friends Animal Hospital will tailor a program of vaccinations and patient health care that will help your pet
maintain a lifetime of infectious disease protection.
Kandi Norrell, DVM, Primary Care Veterinarian
Kandice Norrell, DVM
illinoisvetmed.com
217.333.5300