Cat Vaccinations: What Illnesses Does it Cover?

All felines should be vaccinated annually to protect their health. Even if your cat is indoors, there is a possibility that it may escape and be exposed to harmful diseases. Vaccines typically fall into two categories: core vaccinations that are recommended for all cats, and non-core vaccinations that are administered under certain circumstances.

Core Vaccinations

Core vaccinations help protect your cat from: Feline herpesvirus 1(FVH1), Feline calicivirus (FCV), Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), and rabies. After initial inoculations and a booster at one year, the FHV1, FCV, and FPV vaccines can be repeated at three-year intervals, if your cat is at a low risk of exposure. After initial inoculation for rabies, MLV vaccinations are recommended annually. Killed virus vaccines can be given as a one-year booster and every three years after that.

Learn more about the disease that your cat should be vaccinated against:

Feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV1), also known as feline rhinotracheitis, affects cats around the world. It manifests as respiratory symptoms, including sneezing, nasal discharge, rhinitis (inflammation of the nose) and conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eyelid-lining membrane). It can also affect the reproductive tract, causing pregnancy complications. Feline herpesvirus 1 is part of the feline upper respiratory infection complex—viral and bacterial infections resulting in sneezing and discharge from the eyes and nose. Of this group of infections, FHV 1 is the most common.

Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a common viral disease in cats. FCV is fairly mild, resulting in upper respiratory symptoms, sores in the mouth, pneumonia, and possibly arthritis. A flu-like condition, FCV seldom results in serious complications. Also part of the feline upper respiratory infection complex, calicivirus and FHV1 make up 85–90% of upper respiratory infections in cats.

Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) is a much more severe, contagious viral disease affecting cats (including kittens), raccoons, and mink. Common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, low white blood cell count, and seizures. FPV invades rapidly growing cells, typically those of the digestive system, lymph tissue, bone marrow, and developing nervous system. FPV is widespread in nature, so nearly all cats are exposed to it within the first year of life. This is due to the fact that FPV is extremely stable in the environment and cannot be killed by most common disinfectants.

Rabies can be transmitted from wild animals to unvaccinated domestic animals and even humans. Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite, and is nearly always fatal. Once an animal is infected, the rabies spreads to the central nervous system, causing inflammation in the brain.

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