Cat Vaccinations | Spinney Vets

To give your cat the best possible chance in life, it is important to get cat vaccinations and maintain annual boosters.

Cat Vaccinations at Spinney Vets

Cat Vaccinations begins with, a primary vaccination course for kittens consisting of two injections. As with puppies, kittens will have some protection from their mothers in their bloodstream, which is why a second injection of the cat vaccination is required to complete immunisation.

Cat Vaccinations for kittens start from 8 weeks of age, with the second vaccine administered three weeks after the first. A certificate of vaccination will be provided at the second vaccine appointment.

It is important for annual boosters to be taken to make sure immunity remains effective.

Here at Spinney Vets, our cat vaccinations can protect your cat against the following diseases:

Cat Flu
Feline Enteritis
Feline Leukaemia Virus
Feline Chlamydophila

We can talk you through any type of vaccination that may be required for your cat.

Vaccinating Your Cat

Cat vaccinations are generally carried out in kittens, from as early as 9 weeks of age, with an important second dose three weeks later. Booster vaccinations one year later on are important to enhance your cat’s immunity and regular boosters throughout the cats lifetime are advised. There are four main vaccinations that are advised for your cat which you can find out more about below.

Feline Leukaemia (FeLV) - Kittens tend to be more susceptible to FeLV infection. Cats are commonly infected orally, by ingestion of the virus. The virus replicates locally in tissues and rapidly spreads to local lymphoid tissue. It can cause cancerous conditions such as leukaemia to a wide range of secondary infections caused by the destruction of the immune system. Several cat vaccinations are available, and these generally appear to provide a valuable level of protection against infection.

Feline Calicivirus (FCV) - Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a highly contagious virus that is one of the common causes of upper respiratory infections or cat flu in cats. Cat Vaccination for FCV is important for all cats. Vaccinations are recommended in kittens, starting at an early age. Cats should receive a booster at a year of age, and after that should receive further booster vaccines.

Feline Panleucopenia - Most cats will be exposed to this virus during their lifetimes and infection rates in unprotected cats can run as high as 90%, vaccination against this potentially fatal disease is absolutely essential. Symptoms can include listlessness, diarrhoea, vomiting, severe dehydration, and fever. A cat vaccination is very effective in preventing the disease and is an absolute must!

Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis – The symptoms of this disease may take the form of fever, loss of appetite, eye and nasal discharges and coughing. Kittens are particularly affected, but this disease can be dangerous in any unprotected cat, as effective treatment is limited. Even if a cat recovers, it can remain a carrier for life.

Other Cat Vaccinations

After evaluating your cat’s particular situation and risk factors, your veterinary surgeon may also recommend vaccination against other infectious diseases. These might include: Feline Chlamydiosis & Rabies.

Cat Vaccinations FAQ

Why are cat vaccinations necessary?

Vaccinations are essential for providing your cat with adequate protection from life-threatening and debilitating diseases. There is the option of Titre testing, which involves blood samples to determine your cat’s immunity. Unfortunately, this is not always 100% reliable and can be costly to perform. Cats also staying in boarding or cattery facilities are often required to be vaccinated if you're planning to go on holiday.

Do indoor cats need vaccinations?

Indoor cats still require vaccines, but this may be a reduced course that only includes cat flu and enteritis. However, many indoor cat owners still have a full vaccination course each year just in case their cat decides to go out exploring!

What happens if you don't vaccinate your cat?

Deciding not to vaccinate runs the risk of your cat contracting various harmful diseases. If you also want to travel with your cat or need them to stay in boarding facilities or catteries, most sites require up to date vaccination status and will not accept unvaccinated animals. A simple yearly vaccination course can help to protect your cat so they can live a happy and healthy life.

Should you vaccinate an older cat?

As long as your cat is fit and healthy, we would always recommend vaccinations for your cat. These vaccinations provide protection from harmful diseases.

Can a vet tell if a cat has been vaccinated?

There is no way to tell if a cat has been vaccinated physically; however, if your cat has a vaccination card, previous vet records or microchip details, our team can look into your cat's history where possible.