Cat Vaccinations - How to Protect Your Cat by Liz Canham

The requirements for cat vaccinations vary from country to country, so if you don't live in Spain, as I do, check with your vet as to what he recommends for your area.

Regardless of whether it is a legal requirement in your country of residence, only an irresponsible cat owner would fail to vaccinate their cat or kitten against the most common ailments.

These are:

Feline infectious rhinotracheitis and feline calicivirus infection, together known as 'Feline Upper Respiratory Disease Complex'. Commonly known as cat 'flu, both feline rhinotracheitis virus and calicivirus are spread through contact with the discharge from the eyes and nose of an infected cat. The vaccination against these is usually combined and should be administered to a kitten at the age of eight weeks with a booster at twelve weeks. This vaccination should be renewed annually as a booster whether or not your cat will be allowed outdoors.

Feline leukaemia virus. It is a matter of contention between vets as to whether cats should be vaccinated against this if they are to remain as house cats but for sure, if your cat will be going outside a vaccination should be administered to kittens at age nine to twelve weeks and a booster given four weeks later. This should also be renewed annually as a booster.

Before a kitten is eight weeks old, his mother's antibodies will protect him from many of the diseases that vaccinations protect against. However, when he is weaned, he will need to develop his own antibodies.

If you acquire an adult cat with no vaccination history, you should also have the above vaccinations given immediately. Until the second vaccination has been given, you should keep the cat indoors.

Rabies is another disease which your cat may need to be vaccinated against, depending on area. Interestingly, while most of mainland Europe is rabies-free and the UK certainly is, most countries require that both dogs and cats are vaccinated and have rabies-free blood test before entering the country. Certainly in Spain, it is not a requirement for cats to continue rabies immunisation.

A kitten or cat under two years old may be tested by the vet for Feline Infectious Peritonitis. If the tests are clear then the cat may be vaccinated against it. If the tests prove positive, unfortunately, there is little that can be done for the animal.

Side effects from routine injections are rare but vets won't usually recommend vaccinating cats which are not at risk. Feline leukaemia vaccines can occasionally cause a form of cancer at the injection site but this can often be removed if caught in time. If you notice a lump develop, see your vet immediately. Often the lump may just be an allergic reaction to the injection, but it's better to be safe than sorry, in case it is a tumour.

If your cat will spend time in a cattery while you are on holiday, any reputable one will insist on seeing your vaccination certificates before they will accept your can for boarding.

Liz Canham is the proud owner (or maybe servant)
of three cats and is webmistress of The Cat Lover.

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