Cat vaccinations typically include a combination of core and non-core vaccines to protect against various diseases. Core vaccines are recommended for all cats and include:
- Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV): Also known as feline distemper, this virus is highly contagious and can be lethal, causing fever, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
- Feline Herpesvirus (FHV-1) and Feline Calicivirus (FCV): Both cause upper respiratory infections with symptoms like sneezing, discharge, and in some cases, pneumonia.
Non-core vaccines are given based on the cat’s lifestyle and risk of exposure. These might include vaccines for Chlamydophila felis (causing feline chlamydiosis), and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).
Vaccines work by training the cat’s immune system to recognize and fight off these infectious agents without causing the disease. They contain weakened or killed parts of the virus or bacteria, or even just a part of the microorganism (in the case of subunit or recombinant-DNA vaccines). While very effective, no vaccine guarantees 100% protection for every cat, and the risk of exposure should still be minimised even after vaccination.
Your veterinarian can provide advice tailored to your cat’s specific needs, considering factors such as age, health status, lifestyle, and risk of exposure to infectious diseases. It’s essential to discuss with them to establish an optimal vaccination schedule for your cat.
