Vaccines and dewormers are the foundation of your cat's preventive health. They seem simple things, and they are, but the number of cats arriving at clinics with diseases that could have been prevented is frightening.
It's not expensive, it's not complicated, and it can be the difference between a healthy cat and a veterinary emergency that costs fortunes (and sometimes has no solution).
Essential vaccines
There are vaccines considered essential (core) that every cat should receive, regardless of lifestyle, and optional vaccines that depend on the situation.
Triple/Quadruple Feline Vaccine (V3/V4)
The basic and most important vaccine. Protects against:
Feline panleukopenia: Highly contagious and frequently fatal virus, especially in kittens. Causes vomiting, severe diarrhea, dehydration, immune system drop.
Rhinotracheitis (feline herpesvirus): Respiratory disease. Causes sneezing, nasal and ocular discharge, fever. Cats that recover may carry the virus for the rest of their lives and have relapses during stress.
Calicivirus: Another respiratory disease. Causes mouth ulcers, pneumonia in severe cases. Can also become chronic carrier.
Chlamydia (in quadruple): Bacteria that causes conjunctivitis. Inclusion of this protection varies by vaccine.
Rabies Vaccine
Mandatory by law in Brazil. Rabies is fatal in 100% of cases and transmissible to humans. Even cats that don't go outside should be vaccinated, because accidents happen (cat escapes, bat enters house).
FeLV (Feline Leukemia) Vaccine
Recommended for cats with outdoor access or that live with FeLV positive cats. The virus causes immunosuppression and cancer. Transmission through close contact, saliva, bites.
Before vaccinating against FeLV, the cat should be tested. It doesn't make sense to vaccinate a cat that's already positive.
Vaccination schedule
| Age | Vaccine | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 6-8 weeks | V3 or V4 (1st dose) | Start of protocol |
| 9-11 weeks | V3 or V4 (2nd dose) | 21-30 days after 1st |
| 12-14 weeks | V3 or V4 (3rd dose) + Rabies | Some protocols skip 3rd dose |
| From 8 weeks | FeLV (if indicated) | 2 doses with 21-30 day interval |
| Annually | Booster of all | Maintain protection throughout life |
Deworming
Intestinal worms are extremely common in cats, especially kittens. Even apartment cats can have them, contracted from the mother or from fleas (which transmit some types of worms).
Signs of worms: swollen belly (especially in kittens), dull coat, weight loss despite eating well, diarrhea, sometimes visible presence of worms in feces or vomit.
Deworming protocol
Kittens: First dose at 2-3 weeks of life, repeat every 2 weeks until completing 3 months. Then, monthly until 6 months.
Adults: Every 3 months for apartment cats. Monthly for cats with outdoor access or that hunt.
The most used dewormers are oral tablets. There are paste and spot-on (skin application) versions that may be easier to administer in difficult cats.
Flea and tick control
Fleas are more common in cats than ticks, but both need control. Besides the discomfort of itching, they transmit diseases and worms.
Flea products come in various forms: spot-on (pipette on nape), tablets, collars. Monthly spot-ons are the most popular and practical.
If your cat doesn't go outside and you don't have other animals that go out, flea risk is lower, but not zero. You can bring fleas on clothes or shoes.
Frequently asked questions
My cat doesn't go outside, does it really need vaccines?
Yes. Viruses can enter your house through your shoes, clothes, or other animals. Besides, accidents happen: cats escape, bats enter apartments. Rabies is mandatory by law anyway.
Can the vaccine make my cat sick?
Mild reactions are possible: lethargy for 1-2 days, sensitivity at injection site. Severe reactions are rare. The risk of disease is much greater than the risk of vaccine.
Can I vaccinate at home?
Technically, veterinary vaccines are sold to professionals. But even if you can get them, it's not recommended. The veterinarian examines the cat before vaccinating (you don't vaccinate sick animals), applies correctly, and knows how to handle adverse reactions.
Missed the annual booster, need to start over?
Depends on how long it was missed. A few months delay, usually one booster dose resolves. Very long without vaccinating, may need two doses to restore immunity. The veterinarian evaluates case by case.
Do senior cats need to continue vaccinating?
Yes, the immune system of senior cats is weaker, which makes vaccination even more important. Some vaccines may have different protocol, talk to the veterinarian.
FIV and FeLV: important tests
FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) and FeLV (feline leukemia virus) are serious viral diseases transmitted between cats. It's recommended to test:
- Every new cat before introducing to an environment with other cats
- Cats rescued from the street
- Cats that had contact with positive cats or of unknown status
- Cats that present recurring or hard-to-treat diseases
The test is quick (results in minutes) and relatively cheap. There's no cure for either, but positive cats can live years with quality if well cared for.
For FeLV there's a vaccine. For FIV there's no vaccine available in Brazil. Prevention is avoiding contact with infected cats and, mainly, keeping your cat indoors.
Organizing the vaccination card
Keep the vaccination card in a safe place. You'll need it for cat hotels, travels, veterinary emergencies. Take a photo on your phone too, as backup.
Mark reminders on calendar for booster dates. Some veterinarians and clinics send reminders, but don't count only on that.
If you lost the card and don't remember dates, the veterinarian can restart the protocol. Not ideal, but better than leaving unprotected.
The investment that's worth it
Vaccines cost something between $60 and $150 each, depending on region and clinic. Dewormer, $20-50 per dose. Seems like expense, until you compare with the cost of treating panleukopenia (if the cat survives) or a severe worm infestation.
Prevention is always cheaper than treatment. And, more importantly, avoids suffering. Some of these diseases are horrible. Don't let your cat go through that when the solution is so simple.