Should I vaccinate? | felinepanleukopenia

Should I vaccinate my cat?

Principles of vaccination

Feline Panleukopenia is a highly contagious disease with severe and often fatal symptoms. Vaccination will boost your cats natural immune response to help prevent you cat from getting sick. The vaccine exposes the cat to a "look-a-like" virus so that when your cat contacts the real virus the immune system is able to recognize and mount a more effective response allowing it to clear the infection and prevent disease. Keep in mind, each cat is an individual and will respond differently to vaccines thus there is varying level of protection. The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) recommends the Feline Panleukopenia vaccine as a core vaccine due to its importance. A successful vaccine protocol has resulted in Feline Panleukopenia becoming an uncommon disease but outbreaks still occur in unvaccinated and at risk cats.

When to vaccinate

The AAFP recommends kittens should be vaccinated at 6-8 weeks and then every 3-4 weeks following the initial vaccination until 16-20 weeks of age. The kitten should be revaccinated at 1 year of age and then every 3 years from then on.

Remember that each cat has individual risk factors and needs. Talk to your veterinarian about developing a vaccination protocol that is adapted to your cat.

AAFP Objectives for Vaccination

- To vaccinate each cat only against infectious agents to which it has a realistic risk of exposure

- To vaccinate against infectious agents which cause significant disease

- To vaccinate only when potential benefits outweigh the potential risks

- To vaccinate each cat no more frequently than necessary

- To vaccinate the greatest number of cats possible in the population at risk

- To vaccinate appropriately to protect human and public health

Where to vaccinate

Three way FPV, FHV-1, FCV core vaccine: Below the right elbow

FeLV: Below the left knee

Rabies: Below the right knee

2010 - present

What to do if your cat experiences an adverse effect?

Contact your veterinarian immediately. Although adverse effects are uncommon they can be serious. Your veterinarian will help you decide the best course of action for your cat.

Adverse effects

Adverse effects are an uncommon occurence but it is important to know what possible reactions to look for after vaccination. Mild reactions include decreased appeptite and activity, discomfort at the injection site, and swelling at the injection site. Swelling should disappear in several weeks but it if persists you should contact your veterinarian. Severe reactions are extremely rare and the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks. Severe reactions include allergic reaction and a type of tumor, called a sarcoma, developing at the injection site. If you suspect your cat is having a severe reaction to the vaccine, contact your veterinarian immediately.

If your cat is pregnant or may be pregnant be sure to inform you veterinarian. They make take more precautions to ensure the health of the cat and her kittens.