Deer Run Animal Hospital
FELINE VACCINATIONS
We follow the guidelines of the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) when selecting and recommending vaccines for
our patients. The AAFP Vaccine Guidelines were developed by the nation's leading experts in feline infectious diseases and
immunology. For more information and to review the actual guidelines, please visit the Feline Vaccination webpage at our website at
www.deerrunanimalhospital.com.
The AAFP has made recommendations for vaccination schedules to protect young kittens and from serious diseases. The AAFP
recommends that feline vaccine selection should be tailored to the individual cat. Not all vaccines are appropriate for every cat. The
frequency of vaccine boosters for adult cats is also addressed by the AAFP. Adult cats do not need every vaccine to be given every
year.
At Deer Run Animal Hospital, we follow the AAFP guidelines on the location of vaccine administration. Feline vaccines should never be
given in the scruff of the neck. We also select the manufacturers of our vaccines very carefully. Not all vaccines are the same! The
AAFP recommends using non-adjuvanted vaccines whenever possible. Adjuvanted vaccines contain substances such as aluminum to
stimulate an immune response. Unfortunately these adjuvants may also stimulate tissue inflammation. In rare cases this tissue
inflammation may lead to sarcoma or tumor formation.
We recommend that you work with your veterinarian to pick an individualized vaccine protocol ideal for your cat.
AAFP Basic (Core) recommendations for ALL Cats
All cats should be vaccinated for Rabies.
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Rabies Vaccination is required by Indiana State Law starting at 12 weeks of age to protect cat and human health.
Due to the risk of Feline Vaccine Sarcoma (tumor) formation with adjuvanted rabies vaccines, we only administer the nonadjuvanted Merial Brand PureVax Rabies vaccine to our feline patients.
This vaccine is only licensed for one year use. To comply with Indiana State Rabies Law, this vaccine must be repeated
annually.
All cats should be vaccinated for Feline Distemper (Panleukopenia) and Feline Respiratory Viruses.
The vaccines for these viral diseases are usually combined into a single shot commonly known as the Feline Distemper Vaccine or
FVRCP.
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FVR- Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, (Also called Herpes Virus), causes upper respiratory symptoms, runny nose, watery eyes,
and corneal ulcers. Once infected, can cause recurrent disease in some cats.
C- Calici Virus, also causes upper respiratory symptoms, such as a runny nose, oral ulceration, and less commonly will cause
sore joints, and diarrhea. Once infected, can also cause recurrent disease in some cats.
P- Panleukopenia, a virus similar to Parvo in dogs that causes gastrointestinal disease and severe immunosuppression.
Young Kittenhood is a very important time for vaccination
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Kittens usually start the FVRCP (Distemper) vaccine series at 6-8 weeks of age.
The FVRCP is repeated every 3 weeks until around 16 weeks of age.
If older kittens start the series, or there is no prior history of vaccination, 2 vaccines should be given at a 3 week interval.
In recent years the need for annual of re-vaccination with the Distemper or FVRCP vaccine has been questioned.
After the initial kitten series, and first year re-booster, the AAFP now recommends re-vaccination every 3rd year.
All Kittens should be vaccinated for Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) their first year. Kittenhood is the age when
cats are most susceptible to this deadly virus, and it is the age where their lifestyle is the least predictable. Therefore the AAFP
considers FELV vaccination of kittens a core vaccine.
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FeLV vaccines can be started as early as 9 weeks of age.
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A series of two vaccines 3-4 weeks apart need to be given, then boostered one year later.
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FeLV vaccines are considered optional for adult cats and should be considered on an as-needed basis for adult cats. See
below.
Optional or Non-Core Vaccines for Adult Cats
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) causes a complex disease of immunosuppression, and often cancer. Although cats can live for
a number of years with this disease, it will eventually be fatal. It is transmitted by close, repeated contact with an infected cat (grooming,
biting, sharing food, water, and litter boxes).
In adult cats, vaccination depends on risk and lifestyle. Vaccination is highly recommended if a cat goes outside for any length of time
unattended, or if it lives with a cat already infected with FeLV. It is strongly recommended to blood test a cat for the FeLV virus
before the vaccine series is started.
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The first year, a series of 2 vaccines are given 3-4 weeks apart.
If the cat continues to be at risk, the vaccine is recommended on a yearly basis.
Three year protocols are not yet being recommended for this vaccine.
Adjuvanted forms of the FeLV vaccine may also have an increased risk of of causing a vaccine sarcoma or tumor. We have chosen to
use the new non-adjuvanted Merial Brand FeLV Vaccine which is actually administered with the needleless VetJet System. This is a
breakthrough in vaccine technology! Please go to the Feline Vaccination webpage at our website for more information on this
technology.
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Other Non-core Feline Vaccines
FIV Vaccine- Recently a vaccine against Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) was developed. FIV is another immunosuppressive
virus similar to HIV but not contagious to humans. The safety and efficacy of this FIV vaccine is currently under question. The vaccine
will also interfere with testing for this virus. Currently this vaccine should only be used in very limited circumstances. It is not
recommended for routine use. It is important to test all cats for the FIV virus. The best method of prevention is isolation of positive cats,
and keeping cats indoors. The FIV virus is primarily transmitted through bite wounds. Cats can also live many years with this virus, but
eventually the virus is fatal.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) Vaccine--not recommended on a routine basis.
Vaccination of cats living within households in which FIP is known to already exist, or of cats that are known to be feline corona virus
antibody positive, is NOt recommended. Vaccine may actually enhance the development of the disease in these situations.
Bordetella and Chlamydophila Vaccines are for bacterial respiratory infections but are not routinely recommended. They may be of
benefit in certain high risk situations such as high density animal shelters.
Ringworm Vaccine- not currently recommended for the treatment or prevention of this infectious skin disease.
Giardia Vaccine- not currently recommended, this vaccine has not been shown to prevent infections.
What about Leptospirosis? Fortunately cats are extremely resistant to the bacterial infection Leptospirosis. There is no
recommendation for Leptospirosis vaccination for cats.