Core and Lifestyle Vaccines for Cats

Core and Lifestyle Vaccines for Cats

Core Vaccines

Core vaccines are essential for all cats due to the severity of the diseases they prevent and their widespread prevalence.

RCCP (sometimes called FVCRP)

• Frequency: Depends on patient age and vaccine status, but generally every 3-4 weeks until 16-20 weeks, followed by a booster at 6 months (24 weeks), a single once annual vaccine, then revaccination every 3 years.

• Disease:

  • Feline Rhinotracheitis (Herpesvirus): Causes severe upper respiratory infections, including sneezing, nasal discharge, and conjunctivitis.

  • Feline Calicivirus: Causes respiratory infections and oral diseases, leading to symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, and mouth ulcers.

  • Feline Chlamydia (Chlamydia psittaci): Causes conjunctivitis and upper respiratory infections. Symptoms include watery eyes, nasal discharge, and sneezing.

  • Feline Panleukopenia (Distemper): Causes severe gastrointestinal distress, including vomiting and diarrhea, as well as significant immune system suppression.

• Transmission: Spread through direct contact with infected cats or contact with infected respiratory secretions, aerosolized respiratory droplets, or contaminated environments and objects.  Spread through direct contact with infected cats or via respiratory secretions.

Feline Leukemia (FELV)

• Frequency: Vaccination can start as early as 8-12 weeks of age, after testing negative for FELV. Booster vaccine given in 3-4 wks, followed by a single once annual vaccine. Adult cats at risk for FELV exposure should receive an annual booster.

• Disease: Feline leukemia is a viral disease that suppresses the immune system and can cause various cancers, anemia, and other chronic health issues.

• Transmission: Spread through close contact, including grooming, sharing food and water bowls, and fighting.

Rabies

• Frequency: Initial vaccine given between 12-16 weeks of age, followed by a once annual vaccine, then revaccination every 3 years. Rabies vaccination is required by law by the age of 16 weeks in North Carolina, with revaccination as outlined above.

• Disease: A fatal viral infection affecting the brain and nervous system, leading to behavioral changes, aggression, paralysis, and eventually death. Transmissible to humans and animals through bites.

• Transmission: Spread through the saliva of infected animals, typically via bites.

Lifestyle Vaccines

Lifestyle vaccines are recommended based on a cat's specific risk factors, including lifestyle and exposure to other animals.

Feline Leukemia (FELV)

• Frequency: Revaccination frequency as advised by the veterinarian. After the initial series of 2 vaccinations 3-4 weeks apart and revaccination 1 year later, continued revaccination is recommended based on exposure risk. Indoor only cats with no exposure to FELV + cats do not need to continue annual revaccination. Indoor/outdoor cats, cats living in households that foster cats or strays, or cats who live with a FELV + cat should receive annual revaccination. 

• Disease: Feline leukemia is a viral disease that suppresses the immune system and can cause various cancers, anemia, and other chronic health issues.