FVRCP vaccine for cats are a big part of protecting your pet friend from diseases. But if you’re new to being a pet owner, knowing where to start and which ones to choose can be challenging.
At Metrovet Clinic, we’re happy to provide medical advice to help you decide which types of vaccine(s) to choose for your adult cat (and if you have a kitten, when to schedule a booster shot) to support your cat’s immune system.
We offer core vaccines like the Purevax Rabies vaccines, the FVRCP combination vaccine, and the FeLV vaccines and non-core vaccines. Core vaccines are those that the American Animal Hospital Association has identified as critical for your pet’s health.
Additional non-core vaccines depend on your cat and exposure risks. Outdoor cats with direct contact with other animals or an unvaccinated cat (and cats that leave home, for example) will be exposed to different risks than strictly indoor cats. Even staying at a boarding facility where the possibility of being exposed to an infected cat exists can increase the risk of exposure and recommended vaccines.
What Does The FVRCP Vaccine For Cats Do?
The FVRCP is a critical vaccine because it protects your cat from three dangerous feline diseases. These diseases are Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FHV-1), Feline Calicivirus (FCV), and Feline Panleukopenia (FPL).
These diseases can cause symptoms ranging from a runny nose, nasal congestion and nasal discharge to severe weight loss, severe diarrhea, conjunctivitis, high fever, and more. Feline viral rhinotracheitis alone is suspected to be the primary cause of most upper respiratory infections in cats.
In some cases, the diseases can be life-threatening, particularly those with an increased risk of problems like younger or senior cats. Protecting your pet from deadly disease with the FVRCP vaccine and maintaining a routine vaccination schedule is essential for good health.
FVRCP Vaccine Schedule
Whether you have a kitten or adult cat, we can help you understand vaccine protocol for your pet.
For kitten series, vaccines would typically be administered at the young age of six weeks old or between six and eight weeks. Additional vaccines (known as a vaccine booster or booster vaccinations) are given every three to four weeks until approximately four months of age (or sixteen weeks).
Once your cat is an adult, most vaccines will be administered on an annual or three-year basis. In addition to vaccines, annual visits with a physical examination by your veterinarian are vital as they can help identify any health concerns early before they become a more severe problem.
Possible Side Effects
Administering a series of vaccines often prompts pet owners to ask about possible side effects or allergic reactions. While vaccines protect your pet from serious disease like respiratory disease and airborne viruses, they carry a risk of side effects, which occur in rare cases.
You won’t notice any changes or immune response for most healthy adult cats after visiting your veterinarian for vaccines, which is great news.
What should you watch for? Reactions such as slight redness around the injection site, lameness, slight fever (or low-grade fever), loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea are possible. If your cat does have a reaction, typically, it will be short-lived, and your cat will be back to normal quickly.
If, for any reason, you’re concerned about your cat post-vaccine, call our clinic for support. We would be happy to help you care for your cat as they recover.
FAQs
At Metrovet, we help you navigate having young kittens, older felines, and everything in between. Our goal is to help your pet live a long, healthy, contented life.
From the risk of infection to the serious side effects of not vaccinating to providing a risk assessment for your pet, we understand that having cats may prompt many questions.
Below is a list of frequently asked questions and answers related to vaccinations for cats.
Do indoor cats need the FVRCP vaccine?
Yes. The FVRCP is a core vaccine that provides a level of protection for your pet from serious and dangerous diseases. The diseases it protects from (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calicivirus, and Feline Panleukopenia) are life-threatening, which is why all cats should receive this feline combo vaccine.
In addition, we recommend vaccinating against the Rabies Virus and Feline Leukemia Virus.
What happens if I don’t vaccinate my cat?
The risk of contracting a life-threatening or debilitating disease is much higher if you don’t vaccinate your cat. Not only could this negatively impact your pet’s health and well-being, but it may also expose other small animals to the risk of Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calicivirus, and Feline Panleukopenia.
How much does the FVRCP vaccine cost?
Call our team and ask about the cost of the FVRCP vaccine. We’re happy to discuss options and explain current vaccine guidelines. Our goal is to ensure you can protect your small animal with the best veterinary services and share any details about current offers that may reduce the cost.
Is the FVRCP vaccine the same as Distemper?
The FVRCP cat vaccine protects against panleukopenia, also known as Feline Distemper. That is why in some cases, the vaccine names are used interchangeably.
If a cat contracts Distemper, common symptoms include lethargy, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Extreme reactions and symptoms often include the need for intensive nursing care and veterinary care. Eventually, Distemper can lead to collapse and death, which is why it is such a severe disease and essential to vaccinate against.
What if I don’t have my pet’s vaccination records?
If you’ve recently adopted a cat or have lost track of your pet’s records, our veterinary professionals can help. Unvaccinated animals or those with an unknown vaccination history should still follow a frequent vaccination schedule to boost long-term immunity and ensure complete protection from common disease.
Give us a call to discuss the best vaccine timing for your pet, regardless of the life stage. From adorable kitten to senior cat with an unknown vaccine history, we’re here to help your pet live their best life.
Metrovet For All Your Pet’s Needs
At Metrovet, we’re here for all your pet’s needs. From helping you navigate feline vaccination guidelines that fight infectious disease and providing routine care to helping you navigate more severe health challenges such as kidney disease, kidney failure, poor dental health, and more. We’re here to help your pet live their best, healthy life.
We’re a trusted veterinary clinic in Boston MA. Contact us today to discuss a vaccine schedule that includes FVRCP, a rabies vaccine, and other needs-based vaccines to protect your pet.
