Cat Vax: Protect Your Cat With Vaccinations

The saying ‘Prevention is better than a cure’ is particularly relevant for diseases without direct cures. Vaccinating your cat can help protect them from life-threatening illnesses, ensuring their safety and well-being. Feline vaccinations cover illnesses that can be spread directly or indirectly, meaning your cat can become infected even without direct contact with an infected animal.

What are the different cat vaccinations?

There are two widely used protocols used in South Australia for cat vaccinations:

F3

F3 is the essential vaccination component recommended for all cats. There is no direct cure for these viruses. Treatment typically involves treating the symptoms or hospitalisation for severe cases.

• • Feline Rhinotracheitis (Herpesvirus): A highly infectious disease caused by feline herpesvirus type-1 (FHV-1). Spread through direct contact with infected cats or through objects contaminated (generally oral/nasal or eye discharge). FHV-1 is species-specific and only causes cat infections (not humans!). Typical signs involve non-specific symptoms such as fever, lethargy, anorexia, and more localised symptoms of the nose, throat, and eyes. Infected cats will become carriers of this virus. Most cats become latent carriers; the virus remains inactive within the body until stress or immunosuppression may cause the virus to reactivate. During this time, most cats will show clinical signs of illness and will be infectious to other cats.
  • Feline Panleukopenia (Feline Parvovirus or Feline Distemper): A highly contagious infection that may cause diarrhea, vomiting, fever, lethargy, inappetence, dehydration, abdominal pain, and neurological signs (in severe cases). Most infected cats are asymptomatic (show no signs) and quickly recover from the infection. However, some cats (especially kittens) can be suddenly and severely affected. Feline Panleukopenia decreases the cat’s ability to fight infection, meaning secondary infections may have severe effects. Clinically affected cats often need intensive hospitalization and care. Cats often become infected from feces and body fluids (such as urine and nasal secretions) of infected cats. Infection can be fatal.
  • Feline Calicivirus: A viral infection causing upper respiratory infections and oral disease in cats. Typical signs include sneezing, nasal congestion/discharge, conjunctivitis, eye discharge, and oral ulcers. Affected cats may also be inappetent, lethargic, have enlarged lymph nodes, and have a fever. Rarely, Feline Calicivirus may cause severe generalised disease, in these cases, there is a high fatality rate. Calicivirus is generally spread through direct contact with an infected cat or contact with infected objects.

F3 + FIV

FIV vaccination is an additional vaccination to the core F3. It is recommended for any cat that has any outdoor time or may come in contact with an infected cat.

• • Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV): FIV affects the cat’s immune system, leading to depletion of the immune system and immunosuppression. This leaves the cat vulnerable to severe secondary infections. Cats infected with FIV may appear normal for a prolonged period after the initial infection; however, most eventually suffer from immune deficiency, allowing normal “day-to-day pathogens” to cause severe infections. There is no cure for FIV, and it often requires lifelong management of secondary infections. While not directly fatal, the secondary effects can lead to fatal consequences
  • Spread of FIV occurs primarily through bite wounds from infected to non-infected cats. For this reason, cats with FIV must also be kept inside to prevent further spread to other cats
  • FIV is the feline equivalent of HIV in humans, both are retroviruses that infect the immune system that leads to a weakened immune response

Which vaccine should my cat get?

The type of vaccine recommended for your cat will be based on your cat’s specific circumstances. These factors include the cat’s age, other animals in the household, previous vaccinations, lifestyle (e.g., indoor vs. outdoor exposure), temperament (e.g., anxiety in the clinic), and any underlying health conditions that might affect the immune system.

Generally (but not always), kittens will receive their first vaccination with the breeder or a shelter at 6-8 weeks of age. Additional vaccines are then given at approximately 10-12 weeks of age and 16 weeks of age. Most kittens will receive a course of three vaccines (6-8, 10-12, and 16+ weeks of age). However, some kittens may require fewer or more doses depending on their individual circumstances and risks. After their final kitten vaccination, we recommend ongoing annual vaccinations.

For kittens that are 10 weeks or older and have not received their vaccines, a course of 2-3 vaccines will typically be recommended, depending on whether FIV vaccination is performed. For adult cats that are overdue for vaccinations, a course of 1-3 vaccines may be required. Again, this will depend on your cat’s specific situation, including the type of vaccination and the time elapsed since their last vaccination.