Vaccinating Your Cat
Vaccinations are a very important part of your pet’s preventative health care.
Feline Enteritis is a fatal disease of cats, which causes vomiting, and diarrhœa. The disease resembles parvovirus in dogs but fortunately is very uncommon in the Canberra area. The vaccine course is an extremely successful preventative.
Cat flu can cause severe illness but is rarely fatal. The first signs are sneezing and watery eyes. Vaccines may not completely prevent infection, rather they help minimize signs of disease. Purebred cats may be more susceptible. The two main flu viruses are Feline Herpesvirus and Calicivirus. Cats may become carriers of flu virus and suffer repeated infections at times of stress.
Feline AIDS is a potentially fatal disease that can interfere with the immune system. It is caused by infection with feline immunodeficiency virus contracted via cat bite wounds. Outdoor cats are at risk. Some infected cats remain healthy whilst others develop signs such as fever, poor appetite, diarrhoea, lethargy, weight loss, sore mouth, poor coat and chronic or life threatening infections. Even though this feline virus is related to HIV, no human has ever been reported to be infected with FIV. Vaccination is about 82% effective.
Feline Chlamydia causes severe persistent contagious conjunctivitis. Kittens are more severely affected and Chlamydia can be shed for many months. We do not recommend routine vaccination as this disease is not common and effective treatment is available.
Feline Leukæmia is a potentially fatal disease of cats, though not all cats infected with the virus will develop disease. We do not recommend routine vaccination due to the low incidence of this disease in the Canberra region.
We recommend the following vaccination protocol:
| Vaccine | 6-8 weeks | 12 weeks | 16 weeks | Annual |
| Feline Enteritis (essential) |  |
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| Feline Rhinotracheitis (essential) | |
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| Feline Calicivirus (essential) | |
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| Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Outdoor cats |
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Feline Chlamydia and Feline leukaemia are optional vaccines not necessary for most cats. If interested, please ask the vet for information regarding their use.
F3 is vaccination against Feline Enteritis and flu (Feline Rhinotracheitis and Calicivirus)
F4 = F3 + Feline Chlamydia vaccineF5 = F4 + Feline Leukaemia virus vaccine
Cats beginning enteritis and flu vaccination after twelve weeks should receive a booster 3-4 weeks later.
Vaccines are repeated annually to boost immunity in younger cats. Middle aged and older cats who have received regular annual vaccinations and do not require current vaccination to stay in boarding catteries, can maintain immunity with three yearly vaccinations. An annual health check is still advisable. A blood test is available to evaluate your cat’s immunity to feline enteritis and flu and determine their requirement for revaccination.
Vaccinations should only be given to cats in good health.
Next: Worming your cat.
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