Vaccination of cats helps to ensure the general health and well-being of the cat population and assists in the reduction of the general incidence of disease amongst cats. Unvaccinated cats can spread infection and disease causing problems and distress for cats and their owners alike.

Vaccinations work by stimulating the cat’s natural defence mechanisms, setting up a protective response against the disease. This response is then triggered whenever the specific disease is encountered.

Cats can be protected by vaccination against some of the most serous and possibly fatal feline diseases, including cat ‘flu, feline infectious enteritis (FIE), feline leukaemia (FeLV) and feline chlamydia.

Kittens are born with some natural protection against disease, which is provided by their mothers’ milk. As this protection is only temporary and declines quite rapidly, a kitten’s course of vaccination should start from an early age i.e. at 9 weeks old. Older cats can be vaccinated as soon as they are settled in a new home.

Cats should be kept indoor until 7 — 14 days after their vaccination course is completed. This ensures they develop full protection against disease whilst minimising their risk of infection from other cats.

Once a cat has been vaccinated, the owner will be given a record card detailing the diseases the cat has been vaccinated against, as well as the due date of necessary annual booster injections. The record card is an important document and will be required should a cat enter a cat show or stay in a reputable boarding cattery.

It is extremely uncommon for cats to suffer from side effects to vaccination or for vaccination to be ineffective. Any side effects tend to be fairly minor, such as listlessness for a short period. However, a vet should be contacted if symptoms continue for more than a day.