Immunizations       DOG   CAT For Your Cat The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the American Association of Feline Practioners (AAFP), and the VCS task force have worked together to come up with a few guidelines for vaccinating cats. Guidelines for vaccines have been greatly influence by the appearance of vaccine associated sarcomas in cats. There are two general types of vaccines, core and non-core. Core vaccines are vaccines which every cat should receive, regardless of lifestyle and exposure to other cats. For cats, the core vaccines include feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1), feline calicivirus (FCV), feline panleukopenia virus, (FPV), and rabies. The most important non-core vaccine is feline leukemia virus (FeLV).	IMMUNIZATIONS
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Feline Herpesvirus 1, Feline calicivirus, and Feline panleukopenia: These vaccines are all contained in one vaccine. Feline herpes and calicivirus infections account for up to 90% of all cases of infectious upper respiratory tract disease in cats. The disease in young kittens is more serious than in adult cats. However both young and adult cats should be protected whether strictly indoors and in a single household, in a multiple cat household, or goes outside. The vaccine does not prevent the cat from getting the disease, however helps to lessen the severity of the disease.

Kittens should start their vaccine series when 6-8 weeks of age, then receive two more boosters at 9-11 weeks and 12-16 weeks. For cats older than 16 weeks one dose is recommended. After a booster at one year revaccination is suggested in 2 years and then every 3 years.

Feline Rabies Virus Vaccines: Cats are very important in the epidemiology of rabies in the US. It is recommended that kittens receive a single dose of killed or recombinant vaccine at 12-16 weeks of age. Adult cats with unknown vaccination history should also receive a single dose of killed or recombinant rabies vaccine. Cats should be vaccinated accordingly whether they are indoors only, in a single household, in a multi cat house hold, or go outside.

For the recombinant vaccines, boosters should be given yearly. It is believed that the recombinant rabies vaccine is less associated with sarcomas. We highly recommend this yearly vaccine. For the killed vaccines, boosters are required in one year and then every three years. This type of vaccine contains an adjuvant that is believed to be one of many causes of sarcomas in cats.

Feline Leukemia Virus: Feline leukemia virus is a disease spread via direct contact, ie cat fights. Cat that test negative for the feline leukemia virus and are allowed to go outdoors or have direct contact with cats that have an unknown FeLV status should be routinely vaccinated for FeLV. Vaccination is most important in kittens and young cats because they are the most susceptible. It is not recommended to vaccinate FeLV positive cats or indoor cats with no exposure to FeLV. We currently recommend the recombinant transdermal FeLV vaccine; although there is no evidence yet that it is associated with decreased risk of sarcoma formation.

Initially, two doses are given 2-4 weeks apart and then yearly boosters are given.