We all know that cats do not like to visit the vet, however vet care is as important for cats as it is for dogs. Cats still need yearly exams and vaccines…yes, even indoor cats!
Suburban Animal Clinic bases their Feline Vaccine Protocol on recommendations from the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Feline Practitioners, and the patient’s overall health and exposure risk. We strive to keep current with advances in veterinary medicine, and this includes vaccine protocols.
Dogs and cats need a series of vaccines when they are young, often spread out over a 2-3 month period. This series works to build immunity in the pet as the antibodies from the mother (maternal antibodies) decrease. Thereafter, most vaccines are given every 1-3 years. When vaccinating a patient, a doctor or veterinarian must weigh the benefits of the vaccine with the risks of the vaccine. In the majority of cases, the benefits will outweigh the risks, and the patient will receive the vaccine.
Now, what are the risks associated with vaccines? Even human vaccines have risks.
- Vaccine Reaction-depends on the patient’s internal response to the vaccine.
- Redness, Swelling or Pain at injection site
- Upset stomach/vomiting
- Facial Swelling-RARE
- Virulence: A rarity in which the vaccine that is supposed to provide immunity from a disease could in turn cause that disease.-RARE
- Vaccine Induced Sarcoma (cats): cancerous tumor where a vaccine was given. The late 1980’s/early 1990’s saw an increased incidence of this type of sarcoma where certain vaccines were given. Suspected causes include patient’s genetic makeup and adjuvanted vaccines. -RARE
There are different types of vaccines that all work differently with the immune system to build protection against diseases.
- Killed virus vaccines require an additive called an adjuvant to help stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies. This adjuvant protects against virulence but is often to blame for pets who have reactions to vaccines.
- Modified Live vaccines do not have adjuvants, so are less likely to cause reactions, however they have a rare chance of virulence, making them not as safe for immunocompromised animals.
- Recombinant Vaccines have no adjuvants (lower risk of reaction) and are made differently from the Killed and Modified Live vaccines. Rather than using the virus itself to make the vaccine, genes from the virus are used with a canarypox vector. Using only genes from the virus, not the whole virus itself, takes out the chance of virulence.
Yes, this can be confusing. So why are we talking about this? Because we have updated our vaccine protocol for our feline patients to use only Recombinant vaccines. Vaccine induced sarcomas, while rare, are still a concern. Suburban has seen only a few feline patients with vaccine induced sarcomas in 20 years.
Merial, manufacturer of various medical products, has a line of Recombinant Feline Vaccines. Remember, Recombinant Vaccines do not have adjuvants, so the chance of reactions, including vaccine induced sarcomas, is decreased compared to the use of adjuvanted vaccines. We now use only Merial’s FVRCP (Rhino, Calici, Panleuk & Chlamydia), FeLV (feline leukemia) and Rabies 1 year vaccines for cats.
Suburban Animal Clinic, the AVMA, and the AAFP recommend that kittens receive 2-3 sets of vaccines (Merial’s FVRCP & FeLV) between the ages of 8 & 16 weeks of age. The final set of vaccines will include a 1 year Merial Recombinant Vaccine. At the age of 1 year (or a year after the kitten shots), cats will receive the FVRCP, FeLV, and 1 year rabies.
For the rest of the cat’s life, vaccines will depend heavily on the lifestyle of the cat. However, a major change in our protocol is that all cats will receive a RABIES vaccine every year. The Merial Recombinant Rabies Vaccine is good for 1 year. In the past, we have given older cats a 3 year rabies vaccine. However, that vaccine contains adjuvants that pose a higher risk for reactions, including vaccine induced sarcomas. Therefore, the 1 year rabies vaccine we currently have is a safer vaccine for cats.
We want our feline patients to have the best care possible. Remember, even indoor cats need vaccines too, especially the rabies vaccine! This is for the protection of not only your cat, but for the protection of every person and animal that comes into contact with your cat. Make sure to keep your feline friends up to date with annual exams and vaccines. Call us to schedule your appointment today!