Homevet

What vaccinations for cats are recommended?

Feline calicivirus and feline herpes virus type I are responsible for 80-90% of infectious feline upper respiratory tract diseases. It’s highly recommended to vaccinate for this, by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Feline panleukopenia (also called feline distemper) is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease of cats. Its pretty uncommon nowadays since vaccinating cats but it survives well in the environment and is deadly. Vaccination is highly recommended for all cats.

These above vaccines are considered ‘core vaccines’ and are highly recommended. Talk to our veterinarian or read online more about vaccines available for Chlamydia, Feline Infectious Peritonitis, Feline Leukaemia, Rabies, and Ringworm Vaccines- all ‘non-core’.

At Homevet we recommend basic or core vaccinations even for Indoor cats- why? most of our cat patients live their lives exclusively indoors.  But the thing is: can you really be sure that you will never introduce another cat to your existing cats in the flat?

 Viruses and bacteria can spread through the air, be carried on people’s clothes and even hands, and can survive in shared spaces. The risks of contracting diseases are lower than if your cat went outdoors. But they’re not zero. You can’t keep your cat in a perfect bubble. It’s impossible to be sure they won’t meet other cats – Meet a friend’s cat? Meet a cat at the hospital if they fall sick? You get a new cat? Suddenly are asked to look after a family member’s cat? Often these things occur suddenly and it’s better to be vaccinated in advance.

 Vaccinations for cats is a critical part of a proper preventive healthcare programme. And prevention is far easier than a cure.