It is a common misconception that indoor cats do not need to be vaccinated. While living indoors is safer than living outdoors, contagious viruses can still infect indoor cats. The FVRCP vaccine is highly recommended by vets as it delivers triple protection against three separate, highly contagious, and often fatal diseases: feline viral rhinotracheitis (an upper respiratory disease), calicivirus (an upper respiratory and oral disease), and panleukopenia (a virus shed in nasal secretions, urine, and stool).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Core vaccine |
| Diseases prevented | Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calicivirus, Feline Panleukopenia |
| First vaccine | 6-8 weeks old |
| Booster shots | Every 3-4 weeks until 16-20 weeks old, then once a year or every 3 years |
| Side effects | Very rare, mild fever, swelling at the injection site |
What You'll Learn
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis
FVR is caused by an infection from FHV-1, which spreads through direct contact with the saliva, eye discharge, or nasal discharge of infected cats. It can also be transmitted by sharing food and water bowls, litter trays, bedding, or grooming tools with an infected cat, or by inhaling an infected cat's sneeze droplets. The virus can survive in a moist environment, but it will die once the infected secretions dry up.
Signs of FVR include sudden and uncontrollable sneezing attacks, excessive eye blinking and squinting, clear to yellow or green nasal and eye discharge, redness around and in the eyes, and enlarged lymph nodes. These signs typically occur between two and five days after initial infection and can last for up to a month. In more severe cases, symptoms can persist for six weeks or longer.
While there is no cure for FVR, immediate veterinary care can lead to a good prognosis. Treatment options include intravenous fluids, antibiotics, topical eye medications, antiviral medications, L-lysine supplements, and environmental humidification or nebulization. Vaccination is the best way to prevent FVR infection in cats. The FVRCP vaccine is a core vaccine that provides protection against FHV-1 and other dangerous respiratory agents. It is recommended for all cats, regardless of whether they are indoor or outdoor cats, as the viruses can be transmitted through contaminated objects or environments.
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Feline Calicivirus
FCV is a significant cause of upper respiratory infections (URI), commonly known as "cat flu". It affects oral and respiratory tissues and is responsible for about half of the respiratory infections in cats. The virus is highly contagious and can be spread through direct contact with infected cats or through exposure to contaminated objects. It can survive on surfaces for up to a month and can be transmitted by humans who handle infected cats.
Symptoms of FCV include nasal congestion, sneezing, eye inflammation, and clear or yellow discharge from the nose or eyes. Some cats may also develop painful ulcers on their tongue, palate, lips, or nose. Other symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, squinting, and lethargy. In rare cases, a mutant strain of FCV can cause severe disease, multiple organ damage, and even death.
The FVRCP vaccine, which includes protection against FCV, is recommended for all cats to reduce the risk of infection and the severity of the disease. Kittens should receive their first vaccine between 6 and 8 weeks old, followed by booster shots every three to four weeks until they are 16 weeks old. Adult cats should receive a booster shot every one to three years, depending on their risk factors.
While the FVRCP vaccine is not mandatory, it is highly recommended by veterinarians to protect cats from serious and potentially life-threatening diseases.
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Feline Panleukopenia
The disease is highly contagious and can be transmitted through various routes. Infected cats shed the virus in their feces, urine, and nasal secretions. Other cats can become infected through direct contact with these excretions or by exposure to contaminated items such as food and water bowls, bedding, or the hands and clothing of people who have handled infected cats. The virus is extremely resilient and can survive in the environment for several months to a year.
The best way to protect cats against feline panleukopenia is through vaccination. The FVRCP vaccine, a core vaccine recommended for all cats, provides protection against this disease, along with feline viral rhinotracheitis and feline calicivirus. Kittens should receive their first dose at around 6 to 8 weeks of age, followed by booster shots every 3 to 4 weeks until they are 16 to 20 weeks old. Adult cats over 16 weeks who have never been vaccinated should receive an initial series of two doses, with the second dose administered 3 to 4 weeks after the first. To maintain protection, booster shots are recommended annually or every 3 years, depending on the type of vaccine.
While indoor cats have a lower risk of exposure, they are still susceptible to infection. The highly contagious nature of the virus means that even brief periods spent outdoors or exposure to contaminated objects can put them at risk. Therefore, it is crucial to vaccinate indoor cats to provide them with adequate protection against this potentially devastating disease.
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Why indoor cats need the FVRCP vaccine
The Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia (FVRCP) vaccine is considered a core vaccine for all cats, including indoor cats. It is a combination vaccine that helps protect cats from three highly contagious and life-threatening feline diseases: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calicivirus, and Feline Panleukopenia.
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis is a feline herpes virus that affects a cat's nose, throat, and eyes, causing congestion and discharge. It is thought to be responsible for up to 80-90% of all infectious upper respiratory diseases in cats. The disease can also cause issues during pregnancy.
Feline Calicivirus
Feline Calicivirus is another potentially fatal upper respiratory virus. It can also cause inflammation in a cat's mouth, leading to ulcers or sores on the tongue, palate, lips, or nose. Some strains of Feline Calicivirus can also cause fluid buildup in the lungs (pneumonia) or fever, joint pain, and lameness.
Feline Panleukopenia
Feline Panleukopenia, also known as distemper, is a common and serious virus that affects a cat's bone marrow, lymph nodes, and the cells lining the intestines. Symptoms include depression, loss of appetite, high fever, lethargy, vomiting, severe diarrhea, nasal discharge, and dehydration. It is often fatal in kittens.
Even indoor cats are at risk of contracting these viruses. Contaminated objects and surfaces can carry the viruses, and cats can be exposed through direct and indirect contact. For example, litter boxes, food and water dishes, and bedding can all be sources of infection. Additionally, indoor cats that spend time in boarding facilities or that have curiosity and explore their environments are also at an increased risk of exposure.
The FVRCP vaccine is highly effective at staving off these deadly feline viruses, and it is recommended by veterinarians as part of a cat's routine health care plan. While some vaccines are optional and may be administered based on a cat's lifestyle, the FVRCP vaccine is considered a core vaccine due to the high risk of contracting these diseases.
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FVRCP vaccine schedule
The FVRCP vaccine is highly recommended for all cats, including indoor cats, as it protects them from three highly contagious and life-threatening feline diseases: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calicivirus, and Feline Panleukopenia.
The FVRCP vaccine schedule for kittens typically starts at around six to eight weeks old, with additional booster shots given every three to four weeks until the kitten is about 16 weeks old. After that, a booster shot is usually given when the kitten is a little over a year old, and then every one to three years throughout its lifetime.
For adult cats with an unknown vaccination history, one or two FVRCP vaccines are recommended, followed by booster shots three to four weeks later. After that, the cat will usually receive periodic FVRCP boosters according to a schedule determined by the veterinarian. The frequency of these boosters will depend on factors such as the cat's age, health, and lifestyle.
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Frequently asked questions
FVRCP is a core vaccine that protects cats from three dangerous and contagious feline diseases: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FHV-1), Feline Calicivirus (FCV), and Feline Panleukopenia (FPL).
These three diseases can cause symptoms ranging from a runny nose, nasal congestion, and nasal discharge to severe weight loss, severe diarrhea, conjunctivitis, high fever, and more. Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis alone is suspected to be the primary cause of most upper respiratory infections in cats.
Yes, even if your cat stays indoors, they can still be exposed to harmful bacteria and viruses. Any object that has come into contact with the bodily fluids of an infected cat can pass viruses to another cat.
The recommended FVRCP vaccine schedule varies depending on the age of your cat and whether you know their vaccination history. Kittens typically receive their first FVRCP vaccine at around 6 to 8 weeks old, followed by booster shots every three to four weeks until they are about 16 weeks old. Adult cats may receive their first FVRCP vaccine followed by a booster shot three to four weeks later, then periodic boosters throughout their life.
Side effects from the FVRCP vaccine are rare and mild. They may include swelling at the injection site, a slight fever, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, or sneezing. These symptoms will typically go away within a few hours or days.