This month Dr. Jacqui writes about Vaccine Information

Vaccinations are given to people and animals so that they can be protected against certain diseases if they are ever exposed to them. Vaccinations provide amazing health benefits but they also introduce some risks, so it is important to use them judiciously to minimize any risks while maximizing benefits.

Guidelines:

In the past decade, there have been some dramatic changes in how veterinarians approach feline vaccination. Historically, kittens received a series of vaccines and the adult cats were given booster vaccinations on a yearly (annual) basis. However, with additional vaccines and mounting concerns that some vaccinations could cause some health risks such as inducing tumors at the injection site, this standard practice was questioned. Further research and product development has led to new vaccination guidelines.

These guidelines, established by feline experts in the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and published in 2006 provide guidelines based on the latest scientific information and technology. It is important to remember that the needs of an individual cat may vary based on their environment and medical history. Therefore consulting with your veterinarian about your cat's specific health needs is always advised.

The philosophy of the AAFP guidelines is to create a personalized vaccine schedule for your cat that follows these basic principles:

1. Vaccinate a cat only for those diseases that it is at risk of exposure
2. Vaccinate as infrequently as is possible, while still maintaining protection
3. Vaccinate appropriately to protect public health
4. Vaccinate a cat only when the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks

With this philosophy in mind, vaccines have been divided into core vs. non-core vaccines.

Core Vaccines:

These are considered necessary for every cat:

• Feline parvovirus / panleukopenia (FPV) – a viral infection that can infect the gastrointestinal tract and neurological system
• Feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) – an upper respiratory virus
• Feline calicivirus (FCV) – an upper respiratory virus

Fortunately, these first three vaccines (FPV, FHV-1 and FCV) are usually combined into one injection. This combined injection is often called "FVRCP". Rabies (RV): The other core vaccine is the rabies vaccine. Rabies virus poses a particular threat because it is a deadly disease and it can infect humans and other mammals. This vaccine is mandated by law in many jurisdictions.

Non-Core Vaccines:

These are considered optional vaccines and are indicated in certain situations of disease exposure or risk. For example, a single indoor-only cat would not necessarily benefit from these vaccines, but a cat with outdoor exposure or a cat living in a cattery situation may benefit.

• Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) – a virus that causes anemia, immunosuppression and cancer; a blood test for the presence of the virus should be conducted prior to vaccination.
• Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) – a virus that adversely affects immune system function
• Chlamydolphilia felis (Cf) – a bacteria that primarily affects the eye
• Bordatella bronchiseptica (Bb) – an upper respiratory pathogen

Other Vaccines that are not recommended due to low efficacy:

• Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
• Giardia lambia (Gl)

Vaccine Schedule for Core Vaccines:

First Kitten Vaccinations:

• FVRCP: start as early as 6 weeks of age and repeat every 3-4 weeks until the kitten reaches 16 weeks of age. Remember this is a combination vaccine that provides protection against 3 common, infectious agents (FPV, FHV-1 and FCV).
• RV: One vaccination, given at 12 weeks of age or older (local ordinances may dictate the timing of this vaccine).

Adult Booster Schedule:

• FVCRP should be repeated at 1 year of age. After that, this core vaccine can be repeated every 3 years.
• RV should be re-administered at 1 year of age. Further boosters should be done according to the manufacture's licensing approval (1 or 3 years) and local ordinance.

If you adopt an older cat with an unknown vaccine history, generally they should receive two FVCRP vaccines, 3-4 weeks apart. They should also receive one RV. Booster vaccinations would then follow adult recommendations. It would be advised to have an adult cat with an unknown medical history tested for FeLV and FIV.

Vaccine Risks:

Anytime you introduce something into an animal's body, there is the risk of a complication or negative consequence. While the benefits of responsible vaccination exceed the risks there are some rare but serious consequences. The most significant of these risks is vaccine associated tumors. These are aggressive, malignant cancers (sarcomas) most often associated with the FeLV vaccine and RV. The incidence is estimated to be 2 cats per 10,000 vaccinated or 0.02%. In order to track the incidence and allow for more successful treatment, the recommended protocol for vaccine administration is that vaccines be administered subcutaneously on different limbs (back legs/front legs). While this is more awkward for the veterinarian and the cat than using traditional sites such as the scruff of the neck, it allows for better treatment options if a tumor arises. If you notice a lump developing anywhere on your cat, it should be checked by your veterinarian.