Feline Vaccines, Tailored with Care

Every cat is different, which is why we create customized vaccine plans based on lifestyle, age, and risk—so your cat only gets what they truly need.

Our Approach to Cat Vaccines

Here at All About Cats, our veterinarians are dedicated to making sure cats are not over-vaccinated. To that end, we take your cat’s lifestyle and health into consideration when we develop a custom vaccination schedule.

We are guided by the recommendations made by the American Association of Feline Practitioners, who rely on published data as well as the consensus of a panel of experts in immunology, infectious disease, internal medicine and clinical practice. For more information about vaccines visit the Cornell Feline Health Center and/or give us a call with any questions at (702) 257-3222.

A good rule of thumb is to remember that all cats should have a wellness examination at least once a year. At this annual visit, you and your veterinarian can discuss the necessary vaccines considering your cat’s lifestyle and health status .

Three Vaccines Every Cat Should Have

This is the most common shot given to cats and protects against three of the most prevalent feline viruses Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR), Cailicivirus (C), and Panleukopenia (P):

  • Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR) an upper-respiratory infection that’s highly contagious and spread by direct contact with similarly infected cats. FVR symptoms include coughing, sneezing and nasal discharge; left untreated, an infected cat may develop corneal ulcers of the eye and even pneumonia, especially in kittens.
  • Calicivirus (C) is a common disease that attacks the respiratory lungs and nasal passages as well as the mouth. Unvaccinated cats are prone to this infection, which is spread by contact with other infected cats, particularly in crowded environments like animal shelters and rescue facilites. Symptoms include loss of appetite, eye and nose discharge, and painful ulcerated tongue.
  • Panleukopenia (P), also known as feline distemper, is the leading cause of death in kittens. This highly contagious virus, which attacks the white blood cells, is spread through physical contact and through infected food dishes, bedding and litterboxes. Infected cats may be seen vomiting, experiencing diarrhea, or producing yellow or blood-streaked stools.

The Rabies vaccine is required in Nevada for all domestic cats and dogs. Laws pertaining to Rabies vaccination vary based on where the owner of the cat resides.

  • Cats exposed to rabid wild animals are at greatest risk for contracting rabies. Outbreaks occur in wild animal populations, especially among raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes in the United States. Rabies is quite common in Las Vegas in our bat population and bats can find their way indoors through open windows or doors. Therefore, even indoor cats need to be vaccinated. The rabies vaccine is required by law for all cats over the age of four months.
  • Infected animals usually transmit rabies through a bite. Rabies affects the nervous system, often causing changes in the animal’s behavior, such as aggression, restlessness and fear, or even unusual friendliness.
  • Vaccination is the key to preventing rabies infection in cats. Rabies vaccination reduces the risk that a cat will develop symptoms and die after exposure to the virus and decreases the risk that a cat will transmit the deadly virus to other cats or animals – including humans.
  • To check Rabies laws that pertain to your cat, select the location of your home:

Feline leukemia causes lymphoma, a type of cancer, in about 25 percent of infected cats. Additionally, FeLV suppresses the immune system to increase the cat’s vulnerability to other infectious diseases.

  • Feline leukemia (FeLV) is a leading cause of death among cats. Two to 3 percent of cats in the United States are infected with the virus, according to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
  • Infected cats spread the virus mainly through saliva and nasal secretions but also through urine, feces and milk. Cats may transfer the virus through bite wounds or during mutual grooming; the virus may rarely be transferred at the litter box or feeding dish. An infected mother can also pass the FeLV virus to her kittens before birth or while nursing.
  • Cats who have received vaccination for the feline leukemia virus are unlikely to contract the virus from another feline.
  • Symptoms of feline leukemia include:
    • Loss of appetite and slow weight loss
    • Poor coat
    • Enlarged lymph nodes
    • Persistent fever
    • Pale gums
    • Inflammation of the gums
    • Bladder, skin and respiratory infections
    • Persistent diarrhea
    • Seizures, behavior changes, and other neurological disorders
    • The development of certain eye conditions
    • Reproductive problems in unspayed females

Cat Risk Groups

We categorize cats into three risk groups to determine vaccination schedules:

Safe Kitties

“Safe Kitties” are at minimal risk of contracting contagious viruses from other cats. Because they’re typically kept only indoors or are supervised closely while outside, these cats do not come into physical contact with cats outside their household. Cats that share the home are also kept indoors and have had the Feline Leukemia blood test.

Our recommended protocol for “Safe Kitties”:

  • Receive a yearly wellness examination
  • Be vaccinated for the Rabies virus every one year (if using the PureVax Brand 1-year Rabies Vaccine)
  • Be vaccinated against Feline Distemper (FVRCP) every three years.
  • Vaccines against the Feline Leukemia Virus are not necessary.

At-Risk Kitties

“At-Risk Kitties” are at some risk of coming into contact with cat(s) carrying contagious virus. They typically have unsupervised outdoor access or come into contact with a cat who has outdoor access. Indoor cats can also become at-risk if new cats are introduced into their home.

Our recommended protocol for “At-Risk Kitties”:

  • Receive annual wellness examinations
  • Receive a yearly Rabies vaccination (if using the PureVax Brand 1-year Rabies Vaccine)
  • Receive a Feline Distemper (FVRCP) vaccine every three years
  • Receive a yearly Feline Leukemia virus vaccination

Kittens Under a Year Old

For kittens under one year old, our recommended protocol is:

  • Receive a wellness examination with each vaccination and booster to ensure they are growing well and experiencing no
    complications from illness, starting at 8 weeks old.
  • Receive two or three Feline Distemper (FVRCP) shots, with each shot being three to four weeks apart
  • Receive their first annual Rabies vaccine
  • Receive two Feline Leukemia vaccines with each shot being three to four weeks apart

Brand of Vaccine

Vaccine brand does matter! So at All About Cats Cat Veterinary Hospital, we offer only Merial “PureVax” brand vaccinations, which were developed expressly for cats.

  • The PureVax line of vaccinations does not contain heavy amounts of proteins, also known as “adjuvants,” which can cause adverse reactions and immune system responses.
  • PureVax is the only brand of feline vaccinations that manufacture a non-adjuvanted Rabies and Feline Leukemia vaccine.
  • Unlike many veterinary hospitals, we are dedicated to offer only this brand of vaccines to prevent unnecessary exposure to adjuvants to our special feline patients.

Cat Vaccines FAQ in Las Vegas, NV

Your cat may like to give the impression that he’s indestructible when actually nothing could be further from the truth. But how can you keep him genuinely healthy with the aid of vaccinations? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions on the subject at All About Cats Veterinary Hospital in Las Vegas NV.

A healthy feline immune is capable of fending off infectious diseases — but only after it has made antibodies aimed at fighting those specific germs. Normally, it takes exposure to the actual germ to trigger the production of these antibodies. But when a disease can cause severe illness or even death in that first exposure, an advance defense is necessary.

Vaccines mimic the disease germs they’re intended to protect against. When they’re injected into the body, the immune system reacts as if they were the real thing (while not causing symptoms), creating antibodies that can now protect your cat.

Our Las Vegas vet team recommends starting vaccinations at around 8 weeks of age. That’s because kittens soon lose the antibodies their mother’s milk initially lends to them during this period. Your veterinarian at All About Cats Veterinary Hospital can administer both core and elective vaccinations.

Core vaccinations are a must for every kitten and cat, since the diseases they protect against are so prevalent. Your cat will receive core vaccinations against Rhinotracheitis Virus, feline Calici Virus, feline Distemper Virus (Panleukopenia,) and the Rabies virus.

Elective vaccinations are administered only to those cats that face an elevated risk of particular diseases. For instance, if your cat’s lifestyle puts him in the path of Feline Leukemia Virus, usually spread by direct contact with an infected cat, we may recommend that he receive vaccinations against this disease.

Kittens get multiple rounds of core (and sometimes elective) vaccinations during their first year, giving them a solid foundation of resistance. Your cat’s vaccination journey doesn’t end there. Vaccines eventually lose their strength, rendering their hosts vulnerable to disease again. That’s why we also administer booster shots at predetermined intervals to keep your cat protected.

Some of the infectious viruses can be brought into our homes on our shoes and clothes. This is generally the case for all of us, but especially true for people who visit pet areas when out of the house. Viruses can be picked up by walking in pet stores, parks, vet clinics, animal shelters, other homes where there are cats present, and generally anywhere a sick cat has been. Also, accidents happen and no one can be 100% certain that a cat wont get out out of the house at some point.  A cat’s exposure to strange cats outside the home is the highest risk factor.

Mild symptoms ranging from fever to soreness at the injection site can arise after your cat is vaccinated. However, it is important not to stop giving them, because their rewards far outweigh any risks. Most of the time, the risks are fewer than those presented by the disease itself. Your cat may likely be given medications along with their future vaccines to help minimize these reactions. In some rare cases, your vet may advise to no longer give certain vaccines. Cat vaccinations have saved the lives of countless felines, and play an important role in fighting feline infectious disease.

According to Nevada State law NAC 441A.435, cat owners must have their cats vaccinated for rabies each year. Rabies vaccine laws are in place to ultimately protect Nevada from the rabies virus spreading throughout its wildlife population and causing risks to human health. If your cat or dog gets out of the house and is retrieved by animal control or if your pet bites a person, proof of Rabies vaccine will be requested. In these situations, cats and dogs that are vaccinated for Rabies are handled differently than pets that have not had a recent Rabies vaccine. Quarantine or impound laws differ from county to county in these cases.

In rare cases, injectable vaccine and non-vaccine products have been associated with the development of a cancerous tumor called a sarcoma at injection sites in cats. We customize vaccines schedules for each cat’s risk level, and try to minimize the number of vaccines given throughout its lifetime, therefore minimizing the sarcoma risk. We also use a brand of vaccine that has minimized it’s ingredient list to help avoid reactions. It is important to discuss this issue with your veterinarian prior to your cat’s vaccinations so you can make clear and educated decisions about your cat’s health.

Ready to Help Your Cat Thrive

Don’t leave your favorite feline friend’s future to chance. Give your cat the long and healthy life he/she deserves. Call All About Cats Veterinary Hospital to schedule a checkup today. We’re in the business of helping Las Vegas cats thrive!