Cat Vax: Protect Your Cat With Vaccinations
The saying ‘Prevention is better than a cure’ is particularly relevant for diseases without direct cures. Vaccinating your cat can help protect them from life-threatening illnesses, ensuring their safety and well-being.
Vaccines contain antigens that trigger an immune response in your cat’s body without causing the disease. It’s like a test run for a real infection: they help your cat’s immune system build up defences towards pathogens. When your cat gets exposed to the actual harmful virus or bacteria, they are prepared to fight them off.
Feline vaccinations cover illnesses that can be spread directly or indirectly, meaning your cat can become infected even without direct contact with an infected animal.
What are the types of cat vaccinations?
There are two widely used protocols in South Australia for cat vaccinations, ‘F3’ and ‘F3 + FIV’.
F3 Vaccination
The F3 vaccination is a core vaccine recommended for all cats. It protects against three common and potentially severe feline viruses, none of which have a direct cure. Treatment for these viruses typically focuses on managing symptoms, though severe cases may require hospitalisation.
The F3 vaccine protects against:
Feline Panleukopenia (Feline Parvovirus/Feline Distemper)
This is a highly contagious infection that can cause severe symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, fever, lethargy, inappetence, dehydration, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, it can also lead to neurological signs.
Cats are often infected by coming into contact with the feces and body fluids (like urine and nasal secretions) of infected cats. While some cats may be asymptomatic and recover quickly, others—especially kittens—can become severely ill. This can be fatal, and many affected cats require intensive hospitalisation and care.
Feline panleukopenia also weakens a cat’s immune system, making them vulnerable to secondary infections, which can have severe effects.
Feline Rhinotracheitis (Herpesvirus)
This is a highly infectious disease caused by feline herpesvirus type-1 (FHV-1). It’s spread through direct contact with infected cats or contaminated objects that have come into contact with their oral, nasal, or eye discharge.
FHV-1 is species-specific, meaning it only affects cats and can’t be transmitted to humans. Common signs include fever, lethargy, anorexia, as well as symptoms affecting the nose, throat, and eyes.
Cats who become infected with FHV-1 will be carriers for life. The virus often remains inactive within their body until stress or a weakened immune system causes a flare-up. During these times, they will show clinical signs of illness and can be infectious to other cats.
Feline Calicivirus
This viral infection causes upper respiratory infections and oral disease in cats. It spreads through direct contact with an infected cat or contaminated objects.
Typical signs include sneezing, nasal congestion and discharge, conjunctivitis, eye discharge, and oral ulcers. Cats may also become lethargic, have a fever, or lose their appetite. In rare cases, feline calicivirus can cause a severe, generalised disease with a high fatality rate.
F3 & FIV Vaccination
FIV vaccination is an additional vaccination to the core F3. It is recommended for any cat that has any outdoor time or may come in contact with an infected cat.
FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus)
FIV is a viral infection that attacks a cat’s immune system, leading to a state of immunosuppression. This weakens the cat’s ability to fight off infections, leaving it vulnerable to severe secondary illnesses.
Cats infected with FIV may appear normal for a prolonged period after the initial infection; however, most eventually suffer from immune deficiency, allowing normal “day-to-day pathogens” to cause severe infections. There is no cure for FIV, and it often requires lifelong management of secondary infections. While not directly fatal, the secondary effects can lead to fatal consequences.
Spread of FIV occurs primarily through bite wounds from infected to non-infected cats. For this reason, cats with FIV must also be kept inside to prevent further spread to other cats.
FIV is the feline equivalent of HIV in humans; both are retroviruses that infect the immune system that leads to a weakened immune response.
What is the vaccination protocol?
Most kittens receive a course of three vaccinations, typically administered at 6-8, 10-12, and 16+ weeks of age. The exact schedule can vary based on the type of vaccine, the kitten’s age, and the timing of the first dose.
Kittens are not considered fully protected until two weeks after their final vaccination. During this period, they are still vulnerable to infection, so it’s important to keep them in a safe environment.
After the kitten series is complete, we recommend ongoing annual vaccinations to keep them protected. These yearly appointments also include a full health check-up, allowing your veterinarian to assess your cat’s condition and address any concerns you may have.
Which vaccine should my cat get?
The specific type of vaccine your cat needs will be determined by several factors, including their age, lifestyle (e.g., indoor vs. outdoor exposure), the presence of other animals in the household, previous vaccination history, and any underlying health conditions.
If you plan to board your cat, they will need to be vaccinated with at least the F3 vaccine. While protocols can vary, most facilities require cats to be vaccinated at least two weeks prior to boarding. This can cause problems for owners of unvaccinated cats who need to board their pet in an emergency, as these facilities may not accept them.