Cat Vaccination

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Vaccination is an important step in

protecting your cat against a number of
harmful conditions and diseases. In the UK,
vaccination is nowhere near as widespread
as it ought to be, with just one in three cats
being protected. Its therefore highly
important that responsible cat owners pick
up this slack, and get their cat vaccinated.
Part of the reason behind this lack of
widespread vaccination might be that
some owners are concerned about the
possible side effects. And, whilst its true
that vaccinations do carry with them risks,
this risk is relatively small; its only in a
small number of cases that side effects
develop. When placed next to the
considerable risk of not vaccinating, these
risks appear rather meagre.
Vaccination
can
offer
substantial
protection against a number of notable
conditions. Lets take a look at some of
them.

different forms some more severe than

others. And, like human flu, its evidenced
by symptoms like sneezing, coughing, a
sore throat and a runny nose. If you should
notice these symptoms, then take your cat
to the vet though the flu might have been
caused by a virus, the infection of the
upper respiratory tract might still be
addressed through a course of antibiotics.
If a cat should have appeared to have
recovered from their infection, they should
still be treated as potential carriers of the
flu, capable of passing it on to other cats
they might be interacting with. This danger
is all the greater if the infected cat is
interacting with kittens, whose immune
systems are at their most vulnerable. A
vaccination will help to prevent an
infection before it occurs though there
are some strains of the flu which will be
more resistant to the vaccination than
others. Cat flu is fatal only in rare cases.

Leukaemia

FIE
FIE, or Feline Infection Enteritis, is a
disease which affects the gastrointestinal
tract. Afflicted cats will suffer symptoms
almost instantaneously, and without prior
warning. These include severe vomiting
and diarrhoea, and then death within just
twenty-four hours. FIE is far less common
than it once was a change driven largely
by the prevalence of vaccination.

Flu
FVR, or Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, and
FCV, or Feline Calicivirus, are two common
viruses which are among the major causes
of cat flu. Cat flu, like human flu, is
something which comes in a variety of

FeLV, or Feline Leukaemia Virus, is a virus

for which a vaccine has only recently been
developed. The virus is transmitted
through bodily fluid, such as blood, urine
and saliva, and is incurable once
transmitted. The prognosis for an infected
cat is bleak, with few surviving beyond
three years. The cats immune system will
rapidly deteriorate, often with the result
that tumours form. Vaccination is hugely
important in preventing this bleak
outcome.

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Chlamydia

Boosters

Feline Chamydophilosis is a disease which

is transmitted through close contact not
necessarily through sex. Like flu, a cat may
be asymptomatic and yet still carry the
disease. Carriers may pose a risk to other
cats especially kittens. For this reason, its
particularly important that mothers are
vaccinated.

Viruses reproduce rapidly, and, like any

other creature, occasionally mutate as
they do so. Mutations which help a virus to
resist vaccination will spread quickly
through the population, and so, in time, a
given vaccine will begin to lose its efficacy.
Its therefore important that you follow up
the initial vaccination with annual
boosters, which will help to keep your
cats protection up to date. You can think
of these a little bit like the antivirus on your
computer youll need to periodically
update it in order to be protected against
the latest strains!

Rabies
Rabies is a hugely dangerous disease. It can
be spread from animals to humans via a
bite, scratch or lick and even through
projectile saliva. Once contracted, the virus
multiplies and spreads through the
nervous system, and then to the rest of the
body, causing widespread organ failure.
Thankfully, its not prevalent in the UK
but if youre looking to take your pet
abroad, you may consider vaccination.

How to get vaccinated

As weve seen, there are many different
diseases which can be prevented through
vaccination, and each of them require a
slightly different vaccine. For this reason,
its important to consider which pose the
greatest threat to your cat. As weve
touched upon, there are small risks
inherent in each vaccination. Its therefore
generally not worth the hassle of
vaccination if the disease being vaccinated
against poses barely any risk to your cat.
Speak to your vet about the risks your cat
might face, and the sorts of vaccine they
might benefit from. Your vet will be able to
explain the risks and advantages of each,
and recommend a course of action.

Demonstrating
protection

your

cats

There are some situations where youll

need to provide proof of your cats
vaccination. This proof comes in the form
of a certificate, issued by the veterinary
practice which performed the vaccination.
This will demonstrate that your cat is
protected against the diseases weve
mentioned.
If youre looking to secure health insurance
for your cat, then the insurer will either
insist upon vaccination, or change an
exorbitant rate for the unvaccinated
animal. Similarly, if youre looking to
commit your cat into a cattery for a week
or so while you go away, youll probably be
asked for proof of vaccination. Catteries
are places where many cats are placed in
close proximity with one another, and
several of them may be carrying viruses
asymptomatically.

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The last thing anyone wants is an epidemic,

and so stringent measures are often called
for. Most catteries will insist that your cat
be given a booster injection shortly
before their arrival.
If youre a breeder, then vaccinations
become all the more important. Stud
owners will, if theyre remotely qualified,
insist upon proof that your cat is
vaccinated before allowing their cat to
breed. Theyll then ask for a follow-up test
shortly after going to stud, just to be on the
safe side.

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Beeston Animal Health Ltd.,

Whitchurch Road,
Beeston Castle,
Tarporley,
Cheshire,
CW6 9NJ

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