Vaccinations and regular check ups

Bella has her annual check up

Because cats are so good at hiding illness and discomfort it is imperative that they have a check-up at least once a year. Cats older than 9 years of age may need a physical twice a year especially if we identify any problems.
During the examination we check their eyes, mouth, teeth, ears, heart, lungs, skin, joints and belly for any abnormalities. Many cats start having dental problems as early as 3 years old. Skin disease, allergies and gut upsets an happen at any age.
We discuss the optimal diet for your particular cat because every cat is an individual.
Behavioural problems like inappropriate urination, yowling or attacking often come up in discussion, too.
If your cat is likely to go into boarding or other stressful situations then we recommend an annual vaccination for enteritis (also known as panleukopenia or parvovirus) and the two flu viruses (calicivirus and herpesvirus). This vaccine is also known as the F3 or 3 in 1 vaccination.
Inside cats who don't go into boarding may need less frequent F3 vaccination.
Cats who go outdoors or who may escape home, particularly if they fight, require an FIV vaccination against feline AIDS every year. It is important that cats receive the FIV vaccine boosters exactly 12 months apart.
We also give or recommend the best worming and flea treatments for your cat during the annual visit.

Cat vaccination recommendations

Vaccination recommendations are in a state of flux at the moment. However, kittens must have their first check up and vaccination at 8 weeks of age. Boosters at 12 and 16 weeks protect against enteritis and cat flu for 12 months.
Feline Enteritis causes vomiting and diarrhoea and is usually fatal.
Cat flu caused by Feline Rhinotracheitis Virus and/or Feline Calicivirus is not often fatal. Early signs of cat flu are sneezing and watery eyes. Later, affected cats go off their food, lose weight and may develop chronic snuffles. Flu is contagious to other cats and cats with signs of flu cannot enter boarding catteries. Flu vaccination minimises signs of disease but does not guarantee full protection against infection.
Cats beginning the vaccination schedule after 12 weeks of age receive one booster a month later.
Your cat will need a booster vaccination 12 months after the initial course.
After that your vet will decide at your cat's annual checkup what vaccinations are necessary.
Vaccines work best in healthy cats, so a full examination is mandatory before each vaccination.

Christmas holidays

Going away this Christmas?  Make sure your cat's vaccinations are up to date now.  Most good boarding catteries insist that cats are immunised against herpesvirus, calicivirus and enteritis, also known as panleukopenia.
We get very busy in December and vaccination slots are difficult to find so book in for November instead.

New vaccination guidelines

New Australian vaccination guidelines recommend that adult cats have core vaccination boosters every 3 years once they have had their first booster at 15 months of age. The core vaccine protects against feline parvovirus (also known as enteritis), feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus (also known as cat flu).

At the annual examination we review the health and vaccination status of each individual cat. Many factors influence the effectiveness of vaccination and the need for re-vaccination. These include the cat’s age, breed, vaccination history and health status, the disease prevalence in the local area, the likely exposure of the animal to other animals, including stray or feral animals, current best practice, contemporary guidelines and published veterinary literature.
The vaccination program for each individual cat is determined within a veterinarian-client-patient relationship, taking all these factors into account.
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (AVPMA) and the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) advocate three yearly vaccination of cats.
The APVMA is the Australian government statutory authority responsible for the registration of all agricultural and veterinary chemical products in the Australian marketplace. The APVMA is working with vaccine manufacturers to update label recommendations.
The AVPMA’s position statement on cat and dog vaccinations can be found on its website:
AVPMA

The AVA’s policy on vaccination protocols is found on:
AVA