7/28/2019 Guia de Vacunacion Felina

1/5

http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#protocol

A Winn Feline Foundation Health Article On ...

Feline Vaccine Guidelines

Diane R. Eigner, V.M.D.

Vaccine guidelines promised by the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the Academy

of Feline Medicine1 have finally been completed. Following is a summary of the over 30-page

document, and included is the "short" version of the guidelines. You and your veterinarian can use

this guide to establish an appropriate and protective vaccine program for your cat household. The

American Association of Feline Practitioners thanks and acknowledges Fort Dodge Animal Health

for their financial sponsorship and their support of this project.

In January 1997, the Advisory Panel on Feline Vaccines of the American Association of Feline

Practitioners and the Academy of Feline Medicine (the AAFP/AFM), established practice guidelines

for vaccinating cats. Information was incorporated from an extensive literature search and

presentations from respected members from a wide spectrum of disciplines in veterinary medicine.

AAFP Vaccine Recommendations

Feline Vaccination Protocol

Vaccines continue to play an important role in the control and prevention of feline infectious disease

in an overall preventative health care program for cats. This committee sought to promote the

understanding of and to provide guidance for the use of currently available feline vaccines.

It is impractical to recommend a standard vaccination program for all cats because the risk of

acquiring a specific infection varies due to the age and health of the patient exposure to other cats,and geographic prevalence of disease. A comprehensive physical examination of each patient at

least yearly is important to reassess its health and address possible lifestyle changes that could

affect vaccine recommendations.

The ubiquitous nature and the seriousness of infection with feline panleukopenia (FPV), feline viral

rhinotracheitis (FHV-1), feline calicivirus (FCV), and rabies justifies vaccinating all cats against

these diseases. These vaccines will be referred to as COREvaccines. Vaccines against chlamydiosis,

FeLV, FIP, and ringworm will be called NON-COREvaccines. Use of NON-CORE vaccines should be

restricted to those cats with realistic risk of exposure to these pathogenic organisms.

Vaccines should be used in accordance with principles of immunology to allow for maximum

protection against disease. Factors that affect the immune response to vaccines should beconsidered prior to vaccine administration. Though annual revaccination has been the professional

standard, more recent information suggests that the duration of immunity (DOI) exceeds one year

for many feline vaccines today. The panel recommends booster intervals for vaccines against FPV,

FHV-1, and FCV every three years. Cats at high risk of exposure, such as those entering boarding

facilities, or shown frequently at cat shows, may benefit from more frequent revaccination. DOI

studies indicate that three-year rabies vaccines demonstrate effective immunity.

http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#ref1http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#recommendationshttp://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#protocolhttp://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#protocolhttp://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#recommendationshttp://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#protocolhttp://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#ref1

7/28/2019 Guia de Vacunacion Felina

2/5

While vaccine administration is not an innocuous procedure, the benefits of vaccination far outweigh

the risks for the majority of cats. Cats should continue to be vaccinated to prevent recrudescence of

infectious diseases that we now control. The objective of feline vaccination protocolsshould be to

vaccinate more cats in the population, vaccinate individuals less frequently, and only for the

diseases for which there is a risk of exposure and disease.

Additional facts:

Use of multiple dose vials is discouraged, since inadequate mixing may result in unequal

distribution of antigens and adjuvant. In addition, unless multi-dose vials are consumed

when first opened, iatrogenic contamination is a significant risk.

Vaccine site recommendations should be followed in accordance with those established by

the AAFP and the Vaccine Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force. It is important to

standardize vaccine sites.

Administration of vaccines more frequently than that recommended by the manufacturer is

neither endorsed nor recommended. Administration of vaccines more frequently than every

21 days may attenuate immunological responses.

A routine physical examination is recommended prior to the administration of vaccines to

cats. Patients in good health are the most likely to respond well to vaccination.

CORE vaccines should be administered to healthy FeLV and FIV infected cats. Killed virus

vaccines are preferred for immunocompromised patients because of the potential risks for

vaccine-induced infections with modified live virus vaccines.

Vaccinating cats receiving corticosteroid therapy is controversial. Depending on dose and

duration, corticosteroids may cause functional suppression of immunity, particularly of cell-

mediated immunity. Concurrent use of corticosteroids at the time of vaccination should be

avoided if practical, but apparently corticosteroids do not result in ineffective immunization if

short-term low to moderate dose regimens are used.

The actual risks associated with vaccination of pregnant cats are poorly documented. While

the panel concluded that the risks of vaccinating pregnant queens are likely overstated and

that there are circumstances when the benefits of vaccinating a pregnant queen outweigh

the additional risks, the routine vaccination of pregnant cats should be avoided.

It is recommended that individuals administering vaccines record the following information

in a permanent medical record of the patient: date the vaccine was administered, name of

the person administering the vaccine, vaccine lot number or serial number, expiration date

of the vaccine, name of the vaccine, vaccine manufacturer, and site of vaccine

administration.

AAFP Vaccination Recommendations

The American Association of Feline Practitioners and the Academy of Feline Medicine have actively

participated in efforts to investigate the causal link of vaccinations to the development of tumors and

have established two general guidelines for vaccine administration.

1. Veterinarians should standardize vaccination protocols within their practice and document

the location of the vaccination, the type of vaccine administered, and the manufacturer of

the vaccine in the patient's permanent record.

http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#protocolhttp://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#protocolhttp://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#protocol

7/28/2019 Guia de Vacunacion Felina

3/5

2. The following vaccine sites are recommended:

o Vaccines containing antigens panleukopenia, feline herpesvirus I, feline calicivirus

(+/-Chlamydia) should be administered in the right fore region (RF) or be given

intranasally. (IN).

o Vaccines containing leukemia virus antigen (+/- other antigens) should be

administered in the left rear region (LR) according to manufacturer's

recommendations. Leukemia=Left.

o Vaccines containing rabies antigen (+/- other antigens) should be administered in

the right rear region (RR) according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Rabies=Right.

Feline Vaccine Protocol

Vaccine Antigen Age at Initial Vaccination Booster Interval Panel Comments

Under 12 weeks Over 12 weeks

Panleukopenia

parenteralMLV

intranasalMLV

vaccinate at

inital visit and

then every 3-4

wks until >12

weeks 1

1 dose 1 year later, then

every 3 years

Highly recommended. Not for use in

pregnant queens or kittens 12

weeks

2 doses

3-4 wks apart

1 year later, then

every 3 years

Highly recommended

FHV-1/FCV*2

parenteralMLV

intranasalMLV

vaccinate at

inital visit and

then every 3-4

wks until >12

weeks

1 dose 1 year later, then

every 3 years3Highly recommended

FHV-1/FCV* vaccinate at

inital visit and

2 doses

3-4 wks apart

1 year later, then

every 3 years3Highly recommended

http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#refc1http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#ref*http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#ref*http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#refc2http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#refc2http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#refc3http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#refc3http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#ref*http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#ref*http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#refc3http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#refc3http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#refc1http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#ref*http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#refc2http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#refc3http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#ref*http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#refc3

7/28/2019 Guia de Vacunacion Felina

4/5

killed then every 3-4

wks until >12

weeks

Rabies

killed

1 dose 1 year later, then

every 3 years5Highly recommended for all cats

Chlamydia

avirulentlive

1 dose 1 dose 1 year later, then

annually

Recommended for use in cats at

high risk of exposure

Chlamydia

killed

2 doses

3-4 wks apart

2 doses

3-4 wks apart

1 year later, then

annually

Recommended for use in cats at

high risk of exposure

FIP

intranasalMLV

2 doses

3-4 wks apart not

earlier than 16 wks

1 year later, then

annually

It is reasonable to vaccinate cats at

risk of exposure to other cats with

known or clinically suspected

exposure to feline corona virus

FeLV

killed

2 doses

3-4 wks apart;

1st dose > 8

wks;

2nd dose >12

wks

2 doses

3-4 wks apart

1 year later, then

annually

Follow testing recommendatons as

published in the AAFP/AFM

Recommendation for Feline

Retrovirus Testing. Recommended

for use in cats with high risk4of

exposure.

M. Canis

killed

Prevention:

3 doses; 2 wks between

1st and 2nd, then 3rddose 3 wks after 2nd

dose.

Treatment:

3 doses; 2 wks between

1st and 2nd, then 3rd

dose 3 wks after 2nd

dose. 3rd dose is at

DVM discretion.

Guidelines for

long term use or

booster intervalsnot available

Not recommended for routine use.

Insufficient data to evaluate use in

prevention or elimination of M. Canisinfection.

Notes:

1. Parenteral or intranasal vaccination of kittens between 4-6 weeks of age in high risk

environments (catteries, shelters) and orphaned kittens may be indicated.

2. In environments with enzootic viral respiratory infection vaccination of kittens >2 weeks ofage may be indicated using intranasal FHV-1/FCV or > 4 weeks of age with parenteral

FHV-1/FCV.

3. Interval of booster vaccination based on risk of exposure. Cats at high risk, such as those

entering boarding facilities or shown frequently at cat shows, may benefit from more

frequent revaccination. Duration of immunity beyond one year is based on antibody titers

and not challenge.

4. High risk of exposure to FeLV: includes outdoor cats, indoor/outdoor cats, stray/feral cats,

open multi-cat households, FeLV positive households, and households with unknown FeLV

status. Low risk of exposure to FeLV would include indoor cats and closed multi-cat

households that are tested negative.

5. While the panel recommended boosters at three year intervals, actual protocols must

comply with all local statutes.

6. *FHV-1/FCV = feline herpes virus 1 and calici virus

For Further Information:

http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#refc5http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#refc5http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#refc4http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#refc4http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#refc4http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#refc5http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-guidelines.html#refc4

7/28/2019 Guia de Vacunacion Felina

5/5

1. 1998 Report of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and Academy of Feline

Medicine Advisory Panel on Feline Vaccines. J AM Vet Med Assoc 1998; 212:227-241.

Related Link:

Establishing Vaccination Protocols for Catteries

Please Note: The Winn Feline Foundation provides the feline health information on this site as a service to the public. Diagnosis and

treatment of specific conditions should always be in consultation with one's own veterinarian. The Winn Feline Foundation disclaims

all warranties and liability related to the veterinary advice and information provided on this site.

http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-protocol-catteries.htmlhttp://www.cfa.org/articles/health/vaccination-protocol-catteries.html