Vaccines in Cats

What diseases do we vaccinate against?

In the UK, the recommended core vaccines cover against:

• Feline Cat Flu
• More specifically, we vaccinated again Feline Calicivirus (FCV) and Feline Herpesvirus (FHV), which can both cause cat flu
• Cat flu is a serious disease, especially in vulnerable cats such as kittens and elderly cats
• Cat flu can cause both upper respiratory symptoms and eye issues
• Cats which become infected can be carriers for life, often having repeat flare-ups, especially as they get older
• There are various strains of FCV, and it can be deadly

• Feline Infectious Enteritis
• Also known as Feline Panleukopenia, this disease is caused by the Feline Parvovirus
• This can cause serious gastrointestinal disease, and is often fatal, especially in kittens

• Feline Leukaemia Virus
• This virus can cause the development of diseases such as leukaemia, lymphoma or progressive anaemia
• This is a life-long disease
• The majority of infected cats will die within 3 years of diagnosis.

How often do I need to vaccinate my cat?

Following the WSAVA Guidelines, we recommend all kittens are vaccinated against all the above diseases. The initial vaccine course can start from 8 weeks old, and involves 1 vaccine, followed by another vaccine 3-4 weeks later.

From then on, it is recommended that cats have a booster every year. At the booster, they will also have a full health check, which will allow the vet to help ensure the good health of your cat.

My cat doesn’t go outside, do I still need to vaccinate?

Simple answer: Yes!

Cat flu and feline infectious enteritis can live in the environment. This means they can be brought into the home on shoes, clothing, people, and other surfaces. The feline parvovirus in particular is very hardy and can live in the environment a long time.  Indoor cats are still very much at risk for these diseases, and vaccines are the best way to keep your cat safe.

The feline leukaemia virus is different, in that it is mostly spread through direct contact between cats. This means that we will not necessarily recommend this vaccine for adult indoor cats.

What are the risks of vaccinating?

All vaccines used by vets in the UK are licensed by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), meaning they have to go through rigorous safety checks before they are approved for use. These licenses are also constantly under review, and all adverse reactions are reported to and monitored by the VMD. As with any medication, there is always the possibility of side effects, but they are rare, and the benefits of protection from a vaccine far outweigh the risks.

Common side effects (less than 10 in 100 cats affected):

• Low energy
• Eating less
• Sleeping more
• Fever
• Mild swelling around the vaccine site that disappears in two - six weeks.
• Itching around the vaccine site

Rare side effects (less than 1 cat in 10,000):

• Vomiting
• Anorexia
• Allergic reaction to vaccine, requiring treatment

Injection Site Sarcomas:

• In very rare instances (less than 1 in 20,000 cats), an injection (of any kind, not just vaccines) can lead to the development of a type of tumour called a sarcoma
• These tumours can become aggressive, and will require surgery to treat
• A lot of research is still underway, but there does seem to be a possible link between certain vaccine adjuvants and the development of the sarcoma. Here at Origin Vets Clinic, we follow WSAVA guidelines to make sure we are not over-vaccinating, to keep risks as low as possible.

Does your cat need their vaccines?