Vaccinations for cats

 

We recommend cats receive a F3 + Feline Leukaemia (FeLV) + FIV vaccination.

 

Kittens should be vaccinated with a F3 vaccine at 6 to 8 weeks, then with the F3 + FeLV + FIV vaccination at 12 and 16 weeks of age and an additional FIV vaccine at 14 weeks of age. After the kitten vaccinations we recommend annual boosters. Please refer to our kitten health schedule for more information.

Kittens are not fully protected until 2 weeks after their final (16 week) vaccination. We recommend keeping your kitten indoors and away from unvaccinated cats during this time.

 

The F3 vaccination protects against cat flu (Calicivirus and Rhinotracheitis Virus) and Feline Panleukopaenia. Cat flu is a very common disease and is spread through contact with infected oral and nasal secretions from other cats. Unvaccinated cats, if infected, can develop severe flu symptoms and mouth ulcers and may require aggressive medical treatment in hospital. Infected cats can also become long term carriers for cat flu and have recurrent flu symptoms (sneezing, nasal discharge, watery eyes) and eye ulcers. Feline Panleukopaenia is less common but may cause life threatening gastroenteritis.

 

Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) is spread through cat fights and close contact with infected cats through grooming, shared food and water bowls etc. Infected cats may develop some types of cancer as well as life threatening damage to your cat’s immune system. FeLV cannot be cured once the cat is infected.

 

Feline Immunodefiency Virus (FIV) is spread mostly by cat bites. Infected cats may not show symptoms for years but instead be carriers for the virus. However, in the long term the virus will cause severe immunosuppression and the infected cat will not be able to fight other infections. Some of the symptoms include severe mouth infections, non-healing abscesses or wounds and respiratory infections. FIV cannot be cured once the cat is infected.

 

We also offer vaccination for Feline Chlamydia on request. Feline Chlamydia causes conjunctivitis in infected cats. It is not very common in Darwin and can be treated with antibiotics so we do not routinely recommend this vaccine.