The following recommendations for vaccinations of cats are based on our experience with these vaccines, their adverse reactions, the potential for these diseases in and around placePlaceNameLos Alamos PlaceTypeCounty, and recent recommendations from major academic institutions. While these recommendations are the basis for the vaccine protocols that we use at our veterinary clinic, there may be variations for individual cases. If you reside outside the Los Alamos area, please consult your local veterinary for the vaccination recommendations for your area.

FVR-C-P is the combination of the core vaccines for the herpes, calici and panleukopenia virus. The initial kitten series for this vaccine begins from 6 to 9 weeks of age. The vaccinations are given every 3 weeks until the kitten has received two vaccinations after 12 weeks of age. All cats are given an annual booster at 1 year of age and then every 3 years thereafter. Pregnant queens and kittens under four weeks should not receive the vaccine.

Rhinotracheitis is a respiratory disease of cats that is caused by a herpes virus. Difficulty in breathing, a fever, coughing, sneezing and inflammation of the conjunctiva with discharge from the eyes are commonly seen. The virus can also cause problems during pregnancy, leading to abortions and extremely sick newborn kittens. Cats often cannot rid their bodies of the virus and become latently infected, resulting in the potential to redevelop signs of the disease and infect other cats. The vaccine that we use is a modified live virus and is given as one vaccine with the calici and panleukopenia viruses (see FVR-C-P). The vaccine should not be used with pregnant queens and kittens under four weeks. To track potential vaccine reactions, we give this vaccine over the right shoulder.

The calici virus causes a respiratory disease of cats that is often accompanied by difficulty with breathing, sore muscles and joints, inflammation of the conjunctiva with discharge from the eyes, a fever and ulcers in and around the mouth and feet. Occasionally, the virus can become extremely virulent, leading to severe pneumonia and sudden death. The vaccine that we use is a modified live virus and is given as one vaccine with the herpes and panleukopenia virus vaccines (see FVR-C-P).

The panleukopenia virus causes a severe form of diarrhea that is usually bloody. The diarrhea, along with the virus's suppression of the production of white blood cells usually results in a fatal disease. The vaccine is extremely effective in preventing the disease. The vaccine that we use is a modified live virus and is given as one vaccine with the herpes virus and calici virus vaccines (see FVR-C-P). Because of the risk of problems with brain development, the vaccine should not be given to pregnant queens or kittens under four weeks of age.

Cats, like dogs and people, are very susceptible to rabies. The vaccine that we use is a killed rabies vaccine that has up to 3 years of duration. The state of StateplaceNew Mexico requires annual booster after the first rabies vaccination and boosters every three years thereafter if vaccines with a 3-year duration are used. To track potential vaccine reactions, we give this vaccine on the right rear leg, preferably below the knee.

The feline leukemia virus primarily affects the immune systems of cats. The signs of this disease are many and can mimic other diseases. The vaccine should be given to cats that are at a high risk for exposure. The virus is spread through close contact, especially breeding and fighting. The risk is highest for intact cats that are free to room in the outdoors. The risk is lowest for spayed or neutered cats that live in a single cat home and are confined to the house. We recommend its use on kittens and adult cats that are exposed to cats at risk (i.e. outdoor or infected cats). We currently use a needle-less FeLV vaccine. Initially, two vaccinations are given after the kitten is nine weeks old and, thereafter, yearly if a risk of exposure is present. The vaccine is given in the left rear leg, preferably below the knee.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus is similar to the human AIDS virus. However, there has been no known transmission of either virus between people and cats. Like AIDS in people, the virus weakens the immune system of cats, making them more susceptible to other disease. While there is no direct treatment of the disease in cats, supportive care of secondary diseases will allow most cats affected with FIV to live for quite some time. A vaccine against two serotypes has shown some ability to prevent the disease. The efficacy against the other serotypes is unclear. Vaccinated cats will show up as a positive on the tests currently available for detection of the disease, possibly leading to unnecessary euthanasia at shelters. At this time, we do not recommend vaccinating for this disease in the Los Alamos area.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis is caused by one subtype of the feline coronavirus. While most cats have been exposed to coronaviruses, the incidence of FIP is low. Because the efficacy of the vaccine is not clear and any immunity seems to be short-lived, we do not recommend vaccinating for this disease.

Feline pneumonitis is usually a mild, but chronic, respiratory disease that is caused by the bacterium, Chlamydophila felis. It also causes a severe conjunctivitis. It is treatable by antibiotics. We do not recommend routinely vaccinating against this disease.

Bordetella bronchiseptica is a bacterium that can cause a lower respiratory infection in cats that can be severe in kittens. Because its incidence in the general population appears to be low - especially with adult cats - and because it should respond well to antibiotic treatment, we do not recommend vaccinating for this disease in our area.

Giardia is a protozoan organism that can cause diarrhea. The disease does not appear to be commonplace. Treatments for infected cats are available and are effective. Because the risk for the disease is low and the efficacy of the vaccine is questionable, we do not recommend vaccinating for this disease.