Louisville vet, veterinarian in Louisville, KY

Doerr Animal Clinic
 

Small Animal

(502) 425-1275
Our Services

Vaccinations - Cats

Vaccinations for ktiiens are begun at 6 weeks of age.

Panleukopenia (Distemper)
Panleukopenia is the cat disease most often referred to as "distemper" in this species. It is a deadly disease. Fortunately, it is not a very common disease as vaccination against it appears to be very successful. Kittens require a series of vaccinations every 3 to 4 weeks from the time vaccinations start until they are approximately 16 weeks old. Since this virus does not always require direct contact for transmission, it is generally included in the series of recommended vaccinations for all cats.

Rhinotracheitis
Rhinotracheitis is caused by a herpes virus. It causes respiratory disease in its acute phase. Chronically, it can be the cause of persistant eye irritation and corneal disease (cloudiness or blood vessel infiltration in the clear part of the eye) as well as rcurrent upper respiratory manifestations. Due to the potentially chronic nature of this disease it is also usually recommended for most cats. It appears that the protection against this disease from vaccination is of relatively short duration and yearly boosters seem to be a necessity.

Calicivirus
This virus also causes respiratory disease in its acute phase. It also can become chronic. Affected cats may have persistant gum disease or chronically recurring upper respiratory disease. This virus is also recommended for most cats.

Feline Leukemia
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) requires direct contact with an infected cat in order to spread and recent research indicates that only very young cats can contract the disease. For this reason, the vaccine is reccommended only to kittens and not at all if they are confined to the house. Yearly vaccination is not neccessary.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis
Recent research indicates that the use of this vaccine is possibly the very cause of the disease, and for this reason vaccination is not indicated.

Chlamydiosis
The use of this vaccine has not been proven beneficial to the cats recieving it, and for this reason the vaccination is not indicated.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
FIV is a disease that is transmitted by bite wounds from cat to cat. The vaccine is given in three parts (in three week intervals) the first year and one part annually thereafter. It is recommended only to cats that go outdoors and are aqt risk for being bitten or those living with a cat that is FIV positive.