Feline Vaccines

Question 1

The quality of vaccine induced immunity is influenced by

Answer 1

he patient’s environment, the characteristics of the vaccine, the pathogen and the patient’s immune competence

Question 2

Exposure to pathogens and predicting the outcome of a vaccine are both predictable or unpredictable?

Answer 2

both unpredictable events

Question 3

Kittens born to immune queens lack what?

Answer 3

lack significant transplacentally acquired antibodies

Question 4

how do kittens absorb maternal antibodies?

Answer 4

Absorb specific maternally derived antibodies (MDAs) through colostrum. Most absorption occurs within 24 hours

Question 5

how do MDAs interfere with vaccines?

Answer 5

MDAs interfere with active immunization in 2 main ways: 1. neutralizes vaccine antigens and prevents them from stimulating an immune response & 2. inhibits IgG production

Question 6

when are kittens susceptible to infectious disease vs puppies

Answer 6

• Research shows that kittens may be susceptible to infectious disease at about 1 month of age – perhaps as much as 2 weeks earlier than puppies

Question 7

do all kittens experience a decline in MDAs at the same time?

Answer 7

• Critical to know that there is individual variations as to when MDAs decline (some can maintain MDAs for months).

Question 8

persistance of MDAs can lead to

Answer 8

• Persistence of MDAs is one of the most common reasons for vaccine failures

Question 9

can we tell how much MDA is in a kitten?

Answer 9

The amount of MDA in a kitten at any given time can not be predicted since it depends on the titres present in the queen and amount of colostrum ingested after birth

Question 10

how do MDAs influence vaccine protocols

Answer 10

Vaccine protocols are therefore designed at timing intervals to increase the chance that successful immunization will occur soon after MDAs have declined to sufficiently low titres…

Question 11

what is the window of susceptibility in relation to MDAs

Answer 11

There will be a time in the series of vaccines when MDAs concentrations are high enough to interfere with immunization but not sufficient to prevent natural infection. This is called the window of susceptibility

Question 12

So, what are the core vaccines, aside from rabies?

Answer 12

• Feline Herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1)
• • Feline Calicivirus (FCV)
• • Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV)
• • Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) less than 1yo

Question 13

how are core vaccines usually administered

Answer 13

• FHV-1 + FCV + FPV all come as a multivalent or combination vaccine (all 3 in one vial/syringe) and usually via subcutaneous (SC) route (parenteral route). IN route vaxes also available. Often called ‘RCP’: “R”=Rhinotracheitis -> refers to FHV-1
• FeLV as a monovalent vaccine and given SC

Question 14

timing for core vaccines: ages and how many for FHV-1 + FCV + FPV

Answer 14

FHV-1+FCV+FPV combination vaccine: can begin at 6 weeks, then every 3-4 weeks until at least 16-20 weeks of age e.g. first dose @ 8-10 weeks, second @ 12-14 weeks, third @ 16-18 weeks

If >16 weeks of age, recommend 2 vaccines 3-4 weeks apart e.g. first @ 17 weeks, second @ 20 or 21 weeks

*For cats entering boarding or high-exposure environment, consider vaccinating 7-10 days prior to boarding esp. if cat has not been vaccinated in the preceding year

Booster: give a single dose of a combination vaccine at 1 y.o. **consider at 6 months instead if kitten’s last vax was 16-18 weeks old since may still have had MDAs & considered at risk – *current WSAVA recommendation

Give subsequent adult doses at intervals of 3 years. **mostly applicable for attenuated live & inactivated type vaccines (info will be on label)

Question 15

FeLV vaccine timing, ages

Answer 15

Two doses 3-4 weeks apart starting early as 8 weeks old

If >16 weeks for first dose, then give two doses 3-4 weeks apart

Booster: 12 months after last kitten vax

Subsequent as adult: consider re-vax if cat is high risk for FeLV. Re-vax can
be annual or every 3-years depending on labelling of vaccine

Considered non-core for adult (>1 year) cats who are low-risk i.e. no potential exposure to other FeLV positive cats. Cats >1 year and not yet vaccinated for FeLV should have a FeLV test done prior to vaccination

Question 16

What is “high risk” FeLV?

Answer 16

a subjective assessment: refers to potential of regular exposure to FeLV through encountering FeLV cats, living with FeLV +ve cats, socialising with cats of unknown FeLV status. Outdoor lifestyle & saliva exchange activities (mutual grooming, sharing food bowls, fighting).

Question 17

what is FeLV, briefly, and what can it cause

Answer 17

FeLV is a RNA virus with 3 subgroups -> each causing a different set of clinical signs & outcome for the cat. Immunosuppresion caused by FeLV can cause secondary infections, neoplasia, bone marrow suppression…

Question 18

AAFP reccomendations for FeLV vaccine

Answer 18

AAFP recommends continued annual (or every 3 years as per labelling) vaccination for high risk & vaccination every 2 years for cats who have periodic exposure to FeLV.

Question 19

is rabies required?

Answer 19

• Some states and provinces in North America do not have a rabies vaccination requirement/law in place for dogs & cats – nevertheless, rabies vaccination is recommended as a core vaccine in endemic areas
• Ontario is the only province in Canada that states that there is a requirement for rabies vaccine for cats
• 1-yr or 3-yr labelled vaccines are available
• Some states, provinces and jurisdictions do not recognize a 3-yr labelled rabies vaccine, in which case, a 1-yr labelled vaccine must be given
• Usually given SC – each vaccine will specify route of delivery on its packaging

Question 20

Timing: at what age
and how
many
vaccines to
give? for rabies

Answer 20

Rabies virus: 1-yr & 3-yr labelled vaccines available

Give single dose at not earlier than 12 weeks e.g. can give once turned12 weeks or older

Second dose needed 12 months following first dose

Interval between subsequent doses: depends on if you use a 1-yr or 3-yr rabies vaccine *some countries & jurisdictions do not recognize 3-yr labelled vaccines

Question 21

Considerations for creating a vaccine plan for an individual cat:

Answer 21

Lifestyle? Travel, boarding, excursions outside the house - make an assessment every year

Life stage? In general, infectious disease more prevalent in kittens & <6m.o are more susceptible to infection

Health status? Concurrent diseases, general health, reproductive status

Population of cats? Larger, multi-cat households greater infection risk than one or two cat household. Introduction of new cats? Stress levels and social dynamics of cat population?

Breeding, foster, shelter? Increased risk of disease exposure & stress. May need to vax prior to these situations or reduce timing interval of vaccinations