Cats just like dogs, need vaccinations. Even if kitties never go outside, they should be seen regularly by a veterinarian for appropriate vaccines.
The core vaccinations (that we recommend for all cats) include vaccination for rabies, panleukopenia, and rhinotracheitis. Other vaccinations are non-core vaccines and the need for these should be discussed between you and your veterinarian.

What are we vaccinating for anyway? Feline vaccinations

Rabies

Rabies is a viral disease that infects the nervous system of any mammal, including humans, causing behavior changes, paralysis, and death. It is transmitted in the saliva of infected animals and in the United States it is most commonly carried by bats, racoons, and skunks. Rabies is always fatal once symptoms appear so prevention through vaccination is essential. Rabies is the most important vaccine because it protects not just the pet but also the human population from this deadly disease.

Panleukopenia

Panleukopenia is commonly called “feline distemper” although the disease itself if more similar to canine parvovirus than canine distemper. Symptoms of panleukopenia include bloody diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, and immunosuppression. The disease is especially severe, and often fatal, in young kittens so vaccination and frequent boosters are recommended between 6-16 weeks of age. Isolation and thorough cleaning are important in controlling the spread of disease as the virus can remain infective in the environment.

Feline Herpesvirus 1 (feline viral rhinotracheitis)

Feline herpesvirus is the most common cause of upper respiratory disease in cats. Common signs of an upper respiratory infection include sneezing, runny nose, watery or crusty eyes, and mouth ulceration. The disease ranges in severity from a mild cold-like disease to serious pneumonia. Once infected, cats often remain infected for life and may show chronic clinical signs or be asymptomatic carriers. Vaccination helps to prevent or decrease clinical disease.

Calicivirus

Feline calicivirus generally causes a mild upper respiratory infection with symptoms such as discharge from the eyes and nose, sneezing, and tongue ulcers. However, some strains can cause more serious disease including pneumonia and organ failure.

Feline Leukemia Virus

Feline leukemia virus primarily causes immunosuppression in cats, making them more susceptible to other infections, and about 1/5^th of infected cats will develop leukemia, a cancer of white blood cells. The disease has no cure and is somewhat unpredictable with some cases progressing slowly while others are quickly fatal. It is spread through direct exchange of saliva and other bodily fluids. Bite wounds and mating are the greatest risk, but nose-to-nose contact, social grooming, sharing bowls, and other casual encounters are also potential routes of transmission. Since kittens can be infected at birth, all kittens with an unknown parental history should be tested then vaccinated to prevent this deadly disease.

Hopefully, this helps to answer some questions about cats vaccinations. If you have more questions, please call us at 515-262-8535.