Preventing serious illness is the key to helping your cat live a long and healthy life. That's why our Bedford vets recommend that all cats receive the FVRCP vaccine as soon as possible. Here's how the FVRCP vaccine protects your cat's health.
Core Vaccines to Protect Your Cat
The FVRCP vaccine is one of two core vaccines for cats. Core vaccines are shots that are strongly recommended for all cats, regardless of whether they are indoor or outdoor cats. The other core vaccine for cats is the Rabies vaccine, which is not only recommended but actually required by law in most states.
Although you may believe that your indoor cat is safe from infectious diseases, the viruses that cause these serious conditions can live for up to a year on surfaces. That means that if your indoor cat sneaks outside even for just a minute, they are at risk of coming in contact with the virus.
Conditions That The FVRCP Vaccine Protects Against
The FVRCP vaccine is an extremely effective way to protect your kitty against three highly contagious and life-threatening feline diseases: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (that's the FVR part of the vaccine name), Feline Calicivirus (represented by the C), and Feline Panleukopenia (the P at the end of the vaccine name).
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FHV-1)
Feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR, feline herpesvirus type 1, or FHV-1) is believed to be responsible for up to 80-90% of all infectious upper respiratory diseases in our feline friends. This disease can affect your cat's nose and windpipe and can cause problems during pregnancy.
Symptoms of FVR include fever, sneezing, inflamed eyes and nose, and discharge from nose and eyes. In healthy adult cats, these symptoms may be mild and begin to clear-up after about five to 10 days; however, in more severe cases, symptoms of FVR can last for 6 weeks or longer.
In kittens, senior cats, and immune-compromised cats, symptoms of FHV-1 may persist and worsen, leading to depression, loss of appetite, severe weight loss, and sores inside of your cat's mouth. Bacterial infections often occur in cats that are already ill with feline viral rhinotracheitis.
Even after the symptoms of FVR have cleared up, the virus remains dormant in your cat's body and can flare up repeatedly over your kitty's lifetime.
Feline Calicivirus (FCV)
This virus is a major cause of upper respiratory infections and oral disease in cats.
Symptoms of feline calicivirus (FCV) include nasal congestion, sneezing, eye inflammation, and clear or yellow discharge from the infected cat's nose or eyes. Some cats will also develop painful ulcers on their tongue, palate, lips, or nose due to FCV. Often, cats infected with feline calicivirus suffer from loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, squinting, and lethargy.
It's important to note that there are a number of different strains of FCV. Some produce fluid buildup in the lungs (pneumonia), and others lead to symptoms such as fever, joint pain and lameness.
Feline Panleukopenia (FPL)
Feline Panleukopenia (FPL) is an extremely common and serious virus that causes damage to bone marrow, lymph nodes, and the cells lining your cat's intestines. Symptoms of FPL include depression, loss of appetite, high fever, lethargy, vomiting, severe diarrhea, nasal discharge, and dehydration.
Cats infected with FPL frequently develop secondary infections as well, due to the weakened state of their immune systems. Although this disease can attack cats of any age, it is often fatal in kittens.
There are currently no medications available to kill the virus that causes FPL, so treating cats with feline panleukopenia involves symptoms such as dehydration and shock through intravenous fluid therapy and intensive nursing care.
When Your Cat Should Receive The FVRCP Vaccination
To provide your feline friend with the best possible protection against FHV, FCV and FPL your cat should receive their first FVRCP vaccination at around six to eight weeks old then have a booster shot every three or four weeks until they are about 16-20 weeks old. After that your kitten will need another booster when they are just over a year old, then every three years throughout their lifetime. These are usually done during their routine wellness exams.
Risk of Side Effects from The FVRCP Vaccine
Side effects from vaccines are unusual in cats, and when they do occur, they tend to be very mild. Most cats that do experience side effects will develop a slight fever and feel a little 'off' for a day or two. It is not unusual for there to be a small amount of swelling at the injection site. Your cat should not be sneezing after the FVRCP vaccine.
If your cat is having a severe reaction to the FVRCP vaccine, contact your vet immediately or visit the emergency animal hospital nearest you.
Cost of the FVRCP Vaccine
Vaccines will cost different amounts depending on the the age of the cat, your location, and a variety of other factors. Contact your vet directly for specific pricing.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.