Serious and potentially fatal illnesses can be prevented by vaccination. Some inoculations are compulsory while others are optional, it is essential that you check with your Veterinary Surgeon for the best course of preventative medicine for your kitten or cat.

All cats are susceptible to, and must be immunized against the "big three" diseases:

1. Feline Infectious Enteritis (FIE), also known as Panleukopenia. An often-fatal infection of the intestines, causing loss of appetite, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea.
2. Feline Calcivirus (FCV), a severe strain of the common cold.
3. Feline Rhinotracheitis (FVR), also known as "cat flu".

It is recommended that vaccinations for these be given when the kitten is between the ages of 8 to 12 weeks of age, preferably using the modified live vaccine, available in either injection form or nose drops. Exceptions to the above schedule are when you have an orphaned kitten that is not building up immunities from his mother's milk, or if you have a large colony of cats and want them to be protected earlier. There will also be a second course of injections usually two weeks after the initial ones.

Chlamydia

After your kitten has received his two shots of what is commonly called the "three-in-one" vaccination (FIE, FCV and FVR), he will not require another until his annual checkup. At this time your Veterinary Surgeon may give him a booster shot comprising of the three vaccines. Unless he has reason to give it earlier, your Vet will also give him the Chlamydia, or Pneumonitis vaccine as well. This immunizes cats against a number of strains of the common cold. It is strongly recommended that kittens under the age of twelve weeks are not given the Chlamydia vaccination as it can cause the kitten to come down with a severe cold, in many cases they are left with chronic sinus conditions that will affect them for life. After the age of twelve weeks your cat will be okay to receive the Chlamydia vaccination.

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)

A complex and often fatal virus that attacks the bone marrow in kittens and can cause cancer. The FeLV vaccination did have some worrying side effects and the advice was to vary the vaccine injection each year.

There is a new FeLV vaccine available in America that does protect about 80% of cats. It is wise to protect your cat with the vaccine and I would strongly advise you to go ahead and get your pet cat vaccinated.

If your Veterinary Surgeon is using the old vaccine remember the risk from the diseases is greater than any possible adverse side effect, the current advice is to continue vaccinating but to vary the vaccine injection each year.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)

A disease that causes the lungs or abdomen to swell up with fluid. There are currently some concerns as to whether this vaccination is even effective.

Rabies (not applicable to United Kingdom)

The Rabies vaccine should be given yearly to all cats that have any exposure to the outdoors. A cat that is not exposed to the outdoors will not need the vaccine.

Although there are some vaccinations that are compulsory for all cats, it is important that you talk to your Veterinary Surgeon about any others that your cat may require, depending on his breed, whether he is an indoor or an outdoor cat and the environment to which he is exposed.

Vaccination Schedule:

Disease	1st Shot	2nd Shot	Booster	Type of Cat	Inoculation
FIE	8 weeks	12 weeks	Annual	All	Compulsory
FCV	8 weeks	12 weeks	Annual	All	Compulsory
FVR	8 weeks	12 weeks	Annual	All	Compulsory
Chlamydia	12 weeks	16 weeks	Annual	All	Recommended
FeLV	8 weeks	12 weeks	Annual	Non-breeders	Recommended
Rabies (not UK)	3 months	N/A *	Annual	Outdoor	Compulsory

* Not applicable.