| Non-core, discretionary vaccines:
- Feline chlamydial infection
- Feline leukemia disease complex caused by Feline leukemia virus,
FeLV
- Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) caused by FIP virus or Feline
Coronavirus
- Giardiasis caused by the protozoal parasite Giardia
- Bordetellosis caused by the bacterium Bordetella bronchiseptica
Vaccines work by stimulating the body's defense mechanisms (the
immune system) to a particular microorganism or microorganisms (virus,
bacteria, or other). The animal’s immune system is then prepared
to react to a future infection with that microorganism(s) and either
prevent infection or respond and eliminate the microorganism and
give rapid recovery. Thus, vaccination mimics or simulates the protection
or immunity that a pet has once it has recovered from natural infection
with a particular infectious agent.
The immune system is a complex interaction of various cells and
tissues and organs in an animal but the cells mainly involved are
the white blood cells and main tissues are the lymphoid tissues
such as the lymph nodes or lymph glands.
One of the most important components of the immune system is the
production of specific protein molecules called antibodies. A specific
microorganism, such as Feline Panleukopenia Virus, has components
called antigens that induce the immune system to produce antibody
that specifically binds and neutralizes that organism and no other.
Antibodies work together with other white blood cells (lymphocytes)
that are able to identify and kill, within the body, those cells
that have become infected by the microorganism. The involvement
of lymphocytes and other immune system cells in immunity is called
cell-mediated immunity.
After vaccination, just as after recovery from natural infection,
the body 'remembers' the particular antigens so that when they are
encountered again it can mount a rapid and strong immune response
preventing the cat from developing the disease. The duration of
this response varies with the disease, the type of vaccine and other
variables. The likely duration will determine the recommended revaccination
date.
It is important to realize that most vaccines work by preventing
your cat from becoming ill during a subsequent exposure to specific
disease-causing organisms, but vaccination may not prevent the cat
from becoming infected. In such cases the cat, while itself protected
against disease, may shed the organism for a period of time after
exposure and be capable of infecting susceptible animals with which
it is in contact. This is not a major consideration in the pet cat
but may be important in the breeding colony.
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Three major types of vaccine are produced for use
in cats.
- Modified live vaccines - these vaccines contain
live organisms that are weakened (attenuated) or genetically modified
so that they do not produce disease but will multiply in the cat's
body. Live vaccines are generally considered to cause a stronger,
longer lasting immunity than inactivated vaccines, but there is
continuous improvement in all vaccines. It is not advisable to
use modified live vaccines in pregnant queens or cats whose immune
system is not working properly (cats infected by feline immunodeficiency
virus (FIV), etc.).
- Killed (inactivated) vaccines - these vaccines
are prepared using fully virulent organisms or genetically modified
organisms that have been killed by various treatments. Because,
on their own, they do not give such a high level of protection
as the live, replicating type of vaccine, killed vaccines may
have an ‘adjuvant’ added to enhance immune stimulation.
- Subunit vaccines - these are vaccines in which
the infectious organism has been broken apart and only certain
parts are included in the vaccine. In some cases this is achieved
by using genetic engineering techniques prior to the fragmentation.
Vaccines come in various combinations, so that protection against
more than one disease is achieved in a single dose (some vaccines
are given by drops into the nose rather than by needle). City Cats
can advise you on the most appropriate vaccines for your cat.
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City Cats is proud to use the Heska Trivalent Intranasal / Intraocular
Vaccine!
 Just
as the name implies, the vaccine is administered by placing
drops in the cats nose and eyes rather than by injection.
This may appear, at first, to be a rather unconventional route of
administration. However, because the eyes, mouth, and nose are the
routes of entry for the virus, it makes sense to apply the vaccine
where it will stimulate immunity in the very tissues where the viruses
enter the body.
This vaccine contains the modified live forms of rhinotracheitis
virus and the calicivirus. The viruses in the vaccine have been
modified in the laboratory so that they create immunity without
causing your cat to become sick. These vaccines also stimulate the
production of circulating antibodies so your cat benefits from both
local (ie., respiratory tract) and systemic (antibodies in the blood)
immunity.
Additional benefits of this vaccine include development of very
rapid protective immunity (as early as 4 days after vaccination!),
as well as removing the threat of fibrosarcoma!
The most common side effect of the vaccine is occasional mild sneezing
10-14 days after vaccination. Mild reactions were reported seen
in less than 2% of vaccinated cats.
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Generally kittens are vaccinated for the first time at between 8
and 10 weeks and a second dose is given at 12 weeks. A kitten will
not be fully protected until 7-10 days after the second vaccination.
Under specific circumstances your veterinarian may advise an alternative
regime.
Booster vaccinations are generally carried out
yearly, but as vaccines and knowledge change, recommendations for
frequency of boosters vary with individual circumstances. Your veterinarian
will discuss this with you. All cats should be examined and appropriate
vaccines administered regularly. Senior cats are particularly susceptible
to these infections as they grow old and their immune system becomes
less efficient.
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Vaccination will protect the vast majority of cats, but under some
circumstance vaccine breakdowns will occur. Reasons for such breakdowns
or apparent ‘vaccine failure’ include:
- Variations between different strains of viruses: This is particularly
a problem for example with FCV infections, where, like the “common
cold” in people, there are a large number of different strains.
Some of these strains are not covered or only partially cross-protected
by available vaccines.
- Maternally derived antibodies: When a kitten is born and after
it suckles its mother, it is acquires a proportion of antibodies
from the mother. A well vaccinated queen cat will pass on some
antibodies to the diseases she has been vaccinated against, and
any others she has acquired naturally. Such antibodies protect
the kitten against those diseases for the first two or three months
of life, arguably the most critical period. However, during this
same period, the maternally-derived antibodies can block the effects
of vaccination of the kitten. This blocking effect decreases as
the maternal antibodies gradually disappear over those two to
three months. A point in time is reached when vaccination can
be successfully given. Unfortunately, this point varies between
kittens, mainly because the amount of maternal antibodies that
each kitten receives is variable. This is part of the reason that
two vaccinations are usually given two to four weeks apart in
the kitten vaccination program.
- The cat was stressed or not completely healthy at the time
of vaccination: 'Stress' can prevent a good response to vaccination.
For this reason it is better to let a kitten settle in its new
home for 5-7 days before a vaccination is given, and the physical
examination before vaccinating helps ensure the cat is healthy
at that time.
- The cat has been exposed to an excessive challenge dose of
virus or bacteria in its environment and this has been sufficient
to overwhelm the immunity.
- The immune system of the cat is under-performing because of
some other disease, or complications associated with advanced
age.
These are not the only reasons for vaccination failure, but they
are the most likely explanations. If you feel your cat has contracted
an infection for which it has been vaccinated then let us know so
that we can try and establish why vaccination has failed to be protective.
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There are very few risks to vaccination. You may notice your cat
has a temporary loss of appetite or is less lively a day or two
after a vaccination, but this should resolve within 24 to 48 hours.
In a very few cats, they may be allergic to one or more components
of the vaccine and have more serious side effects such as difficulty
in breathing, vomiting or diarrhea. If these signs occur, let us
know immediately.
Soft tissue sarcoma from injected vaccines
It is common for a small, firm, painless swelling to form under
the skin at the site where a vaccine was injected. The lump is almost
always of no consequence and disappears after several weeks. Rarely,
however, the swelling may progress to a sarcoma. To be on the safe
side, you should periodically check the vaccination area for several
months after vaccination. If you detect a lump, you should contact
us as soon as possible. Small samples of the lump will be sent to
a laboratory for diagnosis if any of the following are true:
• The lump persists for more than three months after vaccination.
• It is larger than two centimeters in diameter (about the
size of an olive)
• It is increasing in size one month after vaccination.
Disturbing as this issue may be, cat owners should never
forego vaccinations. Though well intentioned, this places cats at
far greater risk of acquiring a fatal infection than any risk the
vaccine poses. And in the case of rabies, human health is at risk
as well.
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This is a difficult question and will depend on individual circumstances
including the area you live in and the lifestyle of your cat. As
mentioned before, certain vaccines are more routinely given and
are regarded as ‘core’ vaccines. Others may or may not
be advised depending on the particular situation of your cat. Your
veterinarian will be able to advise you of the most appropriate
vaccinations to give your cat.
Feline panleukopenia infection
This is an uncommon disease today because of widespread vaccination,
but the risk remains widespread. When disease occurs it is a severe
and often fatal gastroenteritis, with profound depression, dehydration
and collapse. It is very contagious to other cats. Vaccination provides
a high level of long lasting protection.
Feline respiratory virus (FVR)
Disease is caused by FVR virus (FHV-1) or the caliciviruses (FCV)
- sometimes together. The syndrome is commonly termed Upper Respiratory
Infection (URI) or sometimes, erroneously, “Cat Flu.”
While not usually very serious (except in young kittens) it is a
very common infection in unvaccinated cats and can cause long-term
problems. Vaccination is only moderately effective as solid immunity
to these viruses is not long term, and may be overcome by a high
dose of virus in the immediate environment. Vaccination does significantly
reduce the severity and duration of URI. Cats at high risk may require
twice yearly vaccination, at least initially, to provide better
protection.
Feline chlamydial infection
This tends to be a particular problem in colony cats. Chlamydiosis
is a bacterial infection causing a painful inflammation and swelling
of the conjunctiva (the membrane around the eye) and has been associated
with infertility in queens. Infection in colonies of cats can last
for long periods because protection against re-infection (immunity)
is relatively short lived. Vaccination can help to prevent infection
becoming established in a colony and can be used in conjunction
with treatment where infection is already present.
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV)
This virus is widespread and infection of outdoor cats or cats in
infected catteries is common. The vast majority of persistently
infected cats will die either from tumors or as a consequence of
the immunosuppression caused by the viral infection. Current vaccines
provide a good level of protection and do not interfere with routine
testing for the virus in breeding colonies. Because the virus tends
to take many months before it causes disease, infected cats can
appear completely normal and healthy. For this reason your veterinarian
may suggest your cat have a blood test to make sure it is not infected
before vaccination. Despite vaccination, a few cats will still become
infected with the virus.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
This is an uncommon disease although cases occur from time to time
almost everywhere but infection with the causative and related viruses
(coronaviruses) are common. We do not understand why a few infections
lead to fatal disease whereas the majority cause minor illness.
Vaccines are advised in some cases. Discuss usage with your veterinarian.
Rabies
Rabies is a generally fatal viral disease that affects the central
nervous system and can infect all warm-blooded animals. The disease
is zoonotic, which means it can be transmitted to humans bitten
by an infected animal. People exposed to rabies must undergo an
immunization regimen.
The most noticeable signs of rabies are changes in behavior that
can include uncharacteristic restlessness, aggressiveness, agitation,
shyness, and paralysis. There is no treatment for rabies, but thanks
to vaccinations required by the state of Massachusetts, cases of
rabies are extremely rare. Cats must have current vaccinations against
rabies.
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remember:
Regular vaccinations are an
essential part
of routine health care for your cat!
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