Feline Vaccines
Kitten with FVR. Image courtesy of UGA Vet School
Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system and is fatal in nearly all cases. In Washington state the primary carrier of rabies are bats, although raccoons, skunks, coyotes, and foxes can also be carriers. The Washington State Department of Health estimates that 5-10% of bats submitted for testing are positive for rabies. The last reported case of rabies was in 2015 when a cat developed rabies after biting a rabid bat. The state of Washington requires rabies vaccines for all dogs, cats, and ferrets. When a pet is under a year old, their rabies vaccination is effective for one year. After that point, rabies vaccinations are given every three years.
FVRCP is a three way vaccine for Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia. FVR is an extremely contagious upper respiratory infection caused by the feline herpes virus. It can result in permanent eye and respiratory damage. Calicivirus also causes a severe upper respiratory infection and Veterinary Virology states that this virus can be isolated from 50% of felines with upper respiratory infections. Panleukopenia is a highly contagious and often fatal disease that present similarly to canine distemper. There is no cure for the virus so treatment is simply managing symptoms while the immune system tries to fight it off. FVRCP is given every two years.
FELV is the vaccination for feline leukemia virus that commonly causes cancer, blood disorders, or leads to immune deficiency leaving the cat susceptible to other infections. Outside cats or those that are exposed to other potentially unvaccinated cats should receive the FELV vaccination annually.
FVRCP is a three way vaccine for Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia. FVR is an extremely contagious upper respiratory infection caused by the feline herpes virus. It can result in permanent eye and respiratory damage. Calicivirus also causes a severe upper respiratory infection and Veterinary Virology states that this virus can be isolated from 50% of felines with upper respiratory infections. Panleukopenia is a highly contagious and often fatal disease that present similarly to canine distemper. There is no cure for the virus so treatment is simply managing symptoms while the immune system tries to fight it off. FVRCP is given every two years.
FELV is the vaccination for feline leukemia virus that commonly causes cancer, blood disorders, or leads to immune deficiency leaving the cat susceptible to other infections. Outside cats or those that are exposed to other potentially unvaccinated cats should receive the FELV vaccination annually.
