| Don't Over Vaccinate Your Cat!
Jefferson Animal Hospitals’ doctors and staff are dedicated to provide your pet with the optimum healthcare. Recent research has shown that most cats maintain good immunity to some diseases for longer than one year. It is still vital for your cat to have an annual physical exam.
Why Vaccinate?
Vaccines perform the vital function of preventing many diseases that otherwise could bring severe illness and premature death to our pets. Because vaccines are so important in preserving and protecting the health of our pets, our goal is to vaccinate sufficiently without risking possible side effects or immune compromising diseases unnecessarily.
Potential Problems
Any vaccination can cause mild to moderate reactions such as fever, lethargy, hives, facial swelling, vomiting, and diarrhea. Call your veterinarian right away if these symptoms occur. In rare instances, moments after the vaccine is given, severe reactions can occur such as anaphylactic shock and cardiac arrest—which are potentially fatal. A lump appearing at the injection site can also indicate a problem. Research has shown that a vaccine-associated sarcoma, a rare type of cancer, can possibly develop at the site of the vaccination—usually months or years later. Because of this rare reaction Jefferson Animal Hospital will only vaccinate your pet when needed. If your pet is to receive the Feline Leukemia vaccine, we advise to give this vaccination three weeks following the Rabies and Feline Distemper (FVRCP) so as not to overload your pet’s immune system. If your cat has a history of a reaction to any vaccine, precautionary oral or injectable antihistamines may be recommended by your Veterinarian.
Kittens
Kittens under 16 weeks of age will continue their series of boosters. It takes multiple vaccinationsin a series to develop its immunity to these diseases.
Core Vaccines
The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) and AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) has determined through intensive research that the Rabies vaccine, and FVRCP (feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukipenia) are the Core Vaccines to be given to all healthy cats. Feline Leukemia vaccines should be given to cats who have exposure to outdoors or exposure to other cats not tested. When your cat is examined, our doctors will consider your cat’s individual health condition, age and lifestyle to determine his/her needs for vaccines. Over-vaccinating your cat can be dangerous to his/her health.
| Vaccine |
Why Vaccinate? |
Who Needs This Vaccine? |
| Rabies |
Fatal disease for all warm-blooded animals including humans. Due to human health concerns vaccinating all cats is required. |
• All Healthy Cats over 4 months of age.
• 1-Year or 3-Year Rabies.
|
| Feline Distemper (FVRCP) |
Panleukopenia (Distemper) causes severe diarrhea and can be fatal.
Rhinotracheitis and Calici cause severe sneezing and nasal congestion and potentially lead to fatal complications. |
• Kitten series beginning at 6 weeks old
• Adult indoor cats given every other year
• Outdoor, boarding, traveling cats given
yearly lead to fatal complications.
|
| Feline Leukemia |
Viral disease acquired by intimate contact with exposure to any other possibly infected cat, causes cancers, infections, neurological disorders, anemia, suppressed immune system and is ultimately fatal.
|
• Outdoor, boarding, traveling cats or any
cat with infected cat (mating, fighting,
grooming, etc).
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