Why vaccinate?
✓ With over 20 million cats in the S., your cat is quite likely to come in contact with an infectious disease at one time or another. Indoor cats can be exposed to viral diseases carried in the air, in dust, or on clothing. Even a stray cat that seems outwardly to be healthy may be a “carrier” infecting your pet, even through a screen window. Vaccination is inexpensive protection against costly treatment, or even the premature death of your cat!
✓ It is cheaper to vaccinate your cat annually; once he acquires one of the following illnesses, treatment can be very costly (and might not work). Cats are delicate creatures and as such, are more susceptible to illnesses than dogs.
✓ Your cat depends on you for shelter, food, and companionship. It is your responsibility to protect him from harm. Having a cat is akin to raising a small child.
You will have a happier cat. A cat that is immunized has a stronger immune system/response, and is thus “more protected” against whatever the world will throw at him.
✓ The law requires all cats to be current on Rabies because it can be transmitted to humans.
We are one of only a few hospitals in the area that administer and carry PUREVAX non-adjuvanted vaccines. This state of the art vaccine line delivers everything needed to induce immunity without any unnecessary adjuvants (additives that increase immune response but can cause potential risks to cats such as injection site reactions, fibrosarcomas, and chronic inflammation). PUREVAX is the only nonadjuvanted feline vaccine line available on the market.
Core Vaccines
PUREVAX HCP (3-in-1): PUREVAX HCP (3-in-1): kittens should get vaccines every 3 weeks until 20 weeks of age. Adults get it first every year then every 3 years.
FHV-1 (feline herpes virus): A widespread respiratory disease (rhinotracheitis) that causes profuse discharge from the eyes and nasal mucosa, coughing, sneezing, and conjunctivitis. Think of it as the ‘cat common cold.’
FCV (feline calicivirus): A virus that causes fever, excess salivation, mouth/tongue ulcers/blisters, and pneumonia. After recovery, a cat can experience severe gum disease, runny eyes, and chronic sneezing over the course of its life.
FPV (Feline distemper, panleukopenia): A highly contagious virus that causes severe diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, anorexia, and depression. It is the most widespread disease of cats and has a high fatality rate, especially in kittens. The panleukopenia virus is so resistant that it can survive up to one year outside a cat’s body.
PUREVAX Leukemia: 3 years (if kitten, initial series of 2 injections, 3 weeks apart; if it is a never-before-vaccinated adult cat, the first HCP injection is good for 1 year)
Leukemia is a leading cause of death in cats. It is a form of cancer that can lead to tumor growth nearly anywhere in the body as well as a variety of secondary infections caused by immune system destruction. Kittens can be born with the virus and cats can have the leukemia virus for years before showing signs of the disease. There is no successful treatment once signs develop!
PUREVAX Rabies: 1 year
This incurable viral disease attacks the nervous system of all mammals, including humans. Rabies is a public health hazard and is of personal risk to you. Transmitted by the bite of an infected animal, there is no cure. Cats have outnumbered dogs in reported cases since 1981. Even indoor cats may be infected through contact with a carrier in a basement, garage, or attic. Vaccination is required by law and is very important for your safety and that of your pet.
Go to vaccinateyourpet.net/purevax to read more about PUREVAX.
Non-Core Vaccines
We do not carry nor recommend:
FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus): vaccine does not prevent disease
Feline bordatella: very uncommon respiratory disease
FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis): vaccine efficacy and duration of immunity are controversial
Feline giardia: vaccine does not prevent infection
Chlamydophila felis: virus causes conjunctivitis in cats, but is easily treatable with antimicrobials. Vaccine provides incomplete protection and side effects have been reported in 3% of injected patients.
