New Vaccination Guidelines Released

The guidelines for cat vaccinations have just been updated jointly by the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Association of Feline Practitioners. The last update was in 2013.

The two organizations concur with the advice of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association that all cats should be administered the core vaccines, which provide protection against panleukopenia, herpesvirus, calicivirus, and rabies. Even a house cat who lives with no other cats and never goes out requires these vaccines. The cat periodically goes to the vet, may be boarded sometimes, or even be affected by bacteria or other pathogens that you bring into the house from outside.

But for the non-core vaccines, which protect against such diseases as chlamydia, the new guidelines emphasize that each cat’s vaccination needs should be assessed on an individual basis, taking into account such variables as the pet’s age, lifestyle (indoor or out), and health history. The authors of the recommendations say that owners and veterinarians should work together to come up with the best vaccination schedule.