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Core vaccines vs. non-core vaccines
Core vaccines are the essential vaccines that every cat should get, no matter their lifestyle or environment. These vaccines protect against the most common, severe, or contagious diseases—ones that pose a serious risk to all cats and can sometimes spread to humans. Non-core vaccines are the vaccines that are only necessary for cats that live in certain environments.
Core vaccines
FVRCP vaccine
The FVRCP vaccine is a combination shot that protects against three diseases: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia.
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis
Feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR) is an upper respiratory disease caused by the feline herpesvirus (FHV-1). Like cold sores in humans, the virus can stay dormant and reactivate during times of stress. Symptoms include nasal congestion (with or without discharge), persistent sneezing, red or irritated eyes, and eye discharge. The biggest concern with FVR is that it weakens a cat’s lung defenses, making them more prone to secondary bacterial pneumonia or coinfection with feline calicivirus.
Feline Calicivirus
Much like feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR), feline calicivirus (FCV) causes severe upper respiratory tract infections. Infection most commonly resembles a cold, but severe infections can cause chronic oral ulcers, pneumonia, systemic disease, and lameness, and can eventually even lead to death. To make matters worse, feline calicivirus spreads super easily among cats, both by direct contact and indirect contact through food bowls, carriers etc.
Feline Panleukopenia
Feline Panleukopenia, also called feline distemper is a very contagious disease caused by the feline parvovirus. Unfortunately, the virus doesn’t just spread easily through direct and indirect contact with the stool and bodily fluids of cats, it also has a high mortality rate, especially in kittens, who are vulnerable and still unvaccinated. The most important symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, fever and a painful belly.
Rabies vaccine
Rabies is a deadly virus found all over the world, primarily affecting mammals. Without vaccination, it is always fatal in both animals and humans. While cats aren’t natural carriers like foxes and raccoons, they can still catch rabies from an infected animal and pass it to humans through a deep bite. Because of the virus’s danger and global spread, rabies vaccination is required by law in many countries.
Core vaccine for kittens
Kittens, like adult cats, need the FVRCP vaccine—but because they’re more vulnerable, they also require protection against an additional threat: feline leukemia.
FeLV vaccine
Feline Leukemia Virus is a relatively common yet highly dangerous virus that destroys cats’ white blood cells and eventually compromises their entire immune system. And unfortunately, there’s no cure! Felines that get the disease will be much more susceptible to infections, anemia, and various types of cancer for as long as they live.
However, FeLV doesn’t always have to be an immediate death sentence as some cats, when kept indoors with minimal exposure to secondary illnesses, can live normal lives for years.
Non-core vaccines
Feline Bordetella vaccine
Feline bordetellosis is a contagious respiratory infection that affects the windpipe and airways. It spreads mostly through direct contact like licking or nuzzling, but can also be passed through the air by sneezing or coughing—and sometimes from contaminated surfaces. Common symptoms include sneezing, coughing, watery noses, and in more serious cases, fever, tiredness, and trouble breathing. The Feline Bordetella vaccine is normally only administered to cats in shelters or catteries.
Feline Chlamydia Vaccine
Feline chlamydia is a bacterial infection caused by Chlamydophila felis that mainly affects a cat’s eyes and sometimes the upper airways. It can cause red, swollen eyes, sneezing, runny noses, coughing, and a drop in appetite. If left untreated, it can lead to lasting problems with vision or breathing. The feline chlamydia vaccine is normally only administered to cats in shelters or catteries.
FIP Vaccine (for now)
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is a viral disease that causes severe inflammation in a cat’s organs and is almost always fatal. Although a vaccine for FIP has existed for over 40 years, it is seldom used due to doubts about its effectiveness. However, there is hope on the horizon! Researchers are investigating mRNA vaccine technology, like the approach used for the Covid-19 vaccine, to develop a potential cure for FIP. If successful, this new vaccine could become a core vaccine for cats.
