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Feline Vaccine Guidelines
Vaccines continue to play an important role in the
control and prevention of feline infectious disease in an overall
preventative health care program for cats. It is impractical to recommend
a standard vaccination program for all cats because the risk of acquiring
a specific infection varies due to the age and health of the patient
exposure to other cats, and geographic prevalence of disease. A
comprehensive physical examination of each patient at least yearly is
important to reassess its health and address possible lifestyle changes
that could affect vaccine recommendations.
The ubiquitous nature and the seriousness of infection
with feline panleukopenia (FPV), feline viral rhinotracheitis (FHV-1),
feline calicivirus (FCV), and rabies justifies vaccinating all cats
against these diseases. These vaccines will be referred to as CORE
vaccines. Vaccines against chlamydiosis, FeLV, FIP, and ringworm will
be called NON-CORE vaccines. Use of NON-CORE vaccines should be
restricted to those cats with realistic risk of exposure to these
pathogenic organisms.
Vaccines should be used in accordance with principles
of immunology to allow for maximum protection against disease. Factors
that affect the immune response to vaccines should be considered prior to
vaccine administration. Though annual revaccination has been the
professional standard, more recent information suggests that the duration
of immunity (DOI) exceeds one year for many feline vaccines today. The
panel recommends booster intervals for vaccines against FPV, FHV-1, and
FCV every three years. Cats at high risk of exposure, such as those
entering boarding facilities, or shown frequently at cat shows, may
benefit from more frequent revaccination. DOI studies indicate that
three-year rabies vaccines demonstrate effective immunity.
While vaccine administration is not an innocuous
procedure, the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks for the
majority of cats. Cats should continue to be vaccinated to prevent
recrudescence of infectious diseases that we now control. The objective of
feline vaccination protocols should be to vaccinate more cats in the
population, vaccinate individuals less frequently, and only for the
diseases for which there is a risk of exposure and disease.
Additional facts:
 | Use of multiple dose vials is discouraged, since inadequate mixing
may result in unequal distribution of antigens and adjuvant. In
addition, unless multi-dose vials are consumed when first opened,
iatrogenic contamination is a significant risk.
| Vaccine site recommendations should be followed in accordance with
those established by the AAFP and the Vaccine Associated Feline
Sarcoma Task Force. It is important to standardize vaccine sites.
| Administration of vaccines more frequently than that recommended by
the manufacturer is neither endorsed nor recommended. Administration
of vaccines more frequently than every 21 days may attenuate
immunological responses.
| A routine physical examination is recommended prior to the
administration of vaccines to cats. Patients in good health are the
most likely to respond well to vaccination.
| CORE vaccines should be administered to healthy FeLV and FIV
infected cats. Killed virus vaccines are preferred for
immunocompromised patients because of the potential risks for
vaccine-induced infections with modified live virus vaccines.
| Vaccinating cats receiving corticosteroid therapy is controversial.
Depending on dose and duration, corticosteroids may cause functional
suppression of immunity, particularly of cell-mediated immunity.
Concurrent use of corticosteroids at the time of vaccination should be
avoided if practical, but apparently corticosteroids do not result in
ineffective immunization if short-term low to moderate dose regimens
are used.
| The actual risks associated with vaccination of pregnant cats are
poorly documented. While the panel concluded that the risks of
vaccinating pregnant queens are likely overstated and that there are
circumstances when the benefits of vaccinating a pregnant queen
outweigh the additional risks, the routine vaccination of pregnant
cats should be avoided.
| It is recommended that individuals administering vaccines record the
following information in a permanent medical record of the patient:
date the vaccine was administered, name of the person administering
the vaccine, vaccine lot number or serial number, expiration date of
the vaccine, name of the vaccine, vaccine manufacturer, and site of
vaccine administration. |
| | | | | | |
The American Association of Feline Practitioners and the Academy of Feline
Medicine have actively participated in efforts to investigate the causal
link of vaccinations to the development of tumors and have established two
general guidelines for vaccine administration.
- Veterinarians should standardize vaccination protocols within their
practice and document the location of the vaccination, the type of
vaccine administered, and the manufacturer of the vaccine in the
patient's permanent record.
- The following vaccine sites are recommended:
 | Vaccines containing antigens panleukopenia, feline herpesvirus
I, feline calicivirus (+/-Chlamydia) should be administered in the
right fore region (RF) or be given intranasally. (IN).
| Vaccines containing leukemia virus antigen (+/- other antigens)
should be administered in the left rear region (LR) according to
manufacturer's recommendations. Leukemia=Left.
| Vaccines containing rabies antigen (+/- other antigens) should
be administered in the right rear region (RR) according to the
manufacturer's recommendations. Rabies=Right. |
| |
| Vaccine Antigen |
Age at Initial
Vaccination |
Booster Interval |
Panel Comments |
| |
Under 12 weeks |
Over 12 weeks |
|
|
Panleukopenia
parenteral MLV
intranasal MLV |
vaccinate at inital visit and then
every 3-4 wks until >12 weeks 1 |
1 dose |
1 year later, then every 3 years |
Highly recommended. Not for use in
pregnant queens or kittens <4 wks or immune compromised |
Panleukopenia
killed |
vaccinate at inital visit and then
every 3-4 wks until >12 weeks |
2 doses
3-4 wks apart |
1 year later, then every 3 years |
Highly recommended |
FHV-1/FCV *
2
parenteral MLV
intranasal MLV |
vaccinate at inital visit and then
every 3-4 wks until >12 weeks |
1 dose |
1 year later, then every 3 years 3 |
Highly recommended |
FHV-1/FCV *
killed |
vaccinate at inital visit and then
every 3-4 wks until >12 weeks |
2 doses
3-4 wks apart |
1 year later, then every 3 years 3 |
Highly recommended |
Rabies
killed |
|
1 dose |
1 year later, then every 3 years 5 |
Highly recommended for all cats |
Chlamydia
avirulent live |
1 dose |
1 dose |
1 year later, then annually |
Recommended for use in cats at high
risk of exposure |
Chlamydia
killed |
2 doses
3-4 wks apart |
2 doses
3-4 wks apart |
1 year later, then annually |
Recommended for use in cats at high
risk of exposure |
FIP
intranasal MLV |
|
2 doses
3-4 wks apart not earlier than 16 wks |
1 year later, then annually |
It is reasonable to vaccinate cats
at risk of exposure to other cats with known or clinically
suspected exposure to feline corona virus |
FeLV
killed |
2 doses
3-4 wks apart;
1st dose > 8 wks;
2nd dose >12 wks |
2 doses
3-4 wks apart |
1 year later, then annually |
Follow testing recommendatons as
published in the AAFP/AFM Recommendation for Feline Retrovirus
Testing. Recommended for use in cats with high risk 4
of exposure. |
M. Canis
killed |
|
Prevention:
3 doses; 2 wks between 1st and 2nd, then 3rd dose 3 wks after 2nd
dose.
Treatment:
3 doses; 2 wks between 1st and 2nd, then 3rd dose 3 wks after 2nd
dose. 3rd dose is at DVM discretion.
| Guidelines for long term use or
booster intervals not available |
Not recommended for routine use.
Insufficient data to evaluate use in prevention or elimination of
M. Canis infection. |
Notes:
- Parenteral or intranasal vaccination of kittens
between 4-6 weeks of age in high risk environments (catteries,
shelters) and orphaned kittens may be indicated.
- In environments with enzootic viral respiratory
infection vaccination of kittens >2 weeks of age may be indicated
using intranasal FHV-1/FCV or > 4 weeks of age with parenteral
FHV-1/FCV.
- Interval of booster vaccination based on risk of
exposure. Cats at high risk, such as those entering boarding
facilities or shown frequently at cat shows, may benefit from more
frequent revaccination. Duration of immunity beyond one year is based
on antibody titers and not challenge.
- High risk of exposure to FeLV: includes outdoor
cats, indoor/outdoor cats, stray/feral cats, open multi-cat
households, FeLV positive households, and households with unknown FeLV
status. Low risk of exposure to FeLV would include indoor cats and
closed multi-cat households that are tested negative.
- While the panel recommended boosters at three
year intervals, actual protocols must comply with all local statutes.
- *FHV-1/FCV = feline herpes virus 1 and calici virus
- 1998 Report of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and
Academy of Feline Medicine Advisory Panel on Feline Vaccines. J AM Vet
Med Assoc 1998; 212:227-241.
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