Cat Vaccinations in Bloomfield Hills, MI
What vaccines do you offer for cats?
We offer three vaccines for our feline friends here at DePorre Veterinary Hospital, those being the rabies vaccine, the FVRCP vaccine, and the FELV vaccine. The rabies vaccine and the FVRCP vaccine are core vaccines, meaning we recommend them for all of our feline friends regardless of their indoor or outdoor status.
The FELV vaccine is a non-core vaccine, meaning that whether or not we would recommend it depends on your cat's lifestyle.
Core:
- Rabies
- FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia)
Non-Core:
- Feline Leukemia (a highly contagious, incurable disease; recommended for outdoor cats)
Why is the rabies vaccine important for cats?
Rabies is a fatal viral disease. It's zoonotic, meaning that it can be spread from your cat to yourself or those in your family if your cat is infected. Rabies is most commonly spread through bite wounds from infected animals. There are reported cases in North America and the Midwest, although they are rare. We highly recommend that you keep your cat up to date on this vaccine for their protection and yours as well.
What does the FVRCP vaccine protect against?
The FVRCP vaccine is a core vaccine that protects against three highly contagious diseases: feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia. This vaccine is highly important because these three diseases are common and can stay in the environment for a long period of time, meaning that it is common for most cats to be exposed to them at some point in their life.
Even our indoor cats can be exposed to these viruses through clothing, shoes, or other objects that are brought in from the outside. This vaccine helps your cat's immune system fight off these threats before they turn into a serious illness.
What is the FELV vaccine, and what cats need this vaccine?
The non-core vaccine that we recommend for cats is the feline leukemia virus vaccine, or FELV, as you might see it. Feline leukemia virus is a lifelong disease that's very easily spread through direct contact with other cats, especially in cats that go outside and are unsupervised. The virus is spread through bodily fluids, such as through a cat bite, but can also be spread from the mother to the kitten after birth.
There is unfortunately no treatment for FELV, and the disease will become fatal with time. For this vaccine, a blood test is required to ensure your cat is FELV-negative before we administer the vaccine. This is typically done during the initial kitten vaccine appointments. This vaccine is recommended for all kittens, but can be discontinued at the one-year mark depending on your cat's lifestyle.
Are there side effects or risks associated with cat vaccines?
As with any medication or medical procedure, there is a rare risk of side effects or adverse reactions to vaccines. Common vaccine reactions, such as pain at the injection site or being a little more tired after their appointment, are typically mild and will resolve within 12 to 24 hours.
Although rare, more serious side effects can occur, such as difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, facial swelling, or hives. In cats specifically, there's an extremely rare side effect called injection-site sarcoma, which is where a tumor forms over the injection site. Modern vaccines are formulated to greatly reduce the risk of this tumor developing. Our team works very closely after vaccination to monitor for any adverse effects and treat appropriately if they do arise.
That being said, the benefits of vaccination highly outweigh the rare risk of a side effect occurring. An overwhelming majority of our patients will not experience a side effect from any vaccine throughout their life. These vaccines are highly effective and are essential for keeping your cat safe and healthy.
What is the vaccine schedule for kittens and adult cats?
At your first visit, you and your veterinarian will work together to create a vaccine schedule moving forward for your kitten. The vaccine series for kittens typically concludes around the 15- or 16-week mark with their rabies vaccine. If you notice that your cat might be having a vaccine reaction, we highly recommend following up as soon as possible for further treatment and care.
Booster vaccines are essential for helping to keep your cat protected and maintain adequate immunity. While each vaccine varies, the typical booster schedule includes a rabies booster every year, an FVRCP vaccine booster every 3 years, and an FELV vaccine every 2 years. Our kitten vaccine boosters are a little different and more frequent, but this is something that your veterinarian will discuss with you at your first visit.
Call us at (248) 609-1625 today to learn more about cat vaccinations or book your appointment online!