Emergency Animal Hospitals

There are three emergency animal hospitals near North County Cat Hospital:

California Veterinary Specialists

2310 Faraday Avenue

Carlsbad, CA 92008

24/hrs 7 days a week

760-431-2273

Veterinary Specialty Hospital, North County

2055 Montiel Rd.

San Marcos, CA 92069

24/hrs 7 days a week

760-466-0600

Escondido Animal Urgent Care
2430-A S. Escondid Blvd.
Escondido, CA
24/hrs 7 days a week
760-738 - 9600

Vaccines Currently Available for Kittens and Cats

Vaccines that we recommend:

FVRCP (3-in1) (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia)

• Rhinotracheitis and calicivirus cause most upper respiratory infections (“colds”) in cats.  Both diseases are very contagious and can cause signs for the life of infected cats.  These diseases can be very serious.  The vaccines don’t usually prevent these diseases but they do lessen the severity.
  

• Panleukopenia is also called "feline distemper".  It is very contagious and potentially fatal.  Signs include severe vomiting and diarrhea.  It is most common in kittens.  
  

FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus)

Feline leukemia virus is a common, fatal disease.  It is fairly easily transmitted through direct contact.  It can also be transmitted via shared food or water bowls.  We recommend that cats that have potential contact with infected cats should be vaccinated against FeLV.  We recommend that cats that do not have potential exposure to infected cats should not be vaccinated.

Rabies

Rabies is a fatal disease transmitted through bite wounds.  Around here, it is carried primarily by bats.   It is very rare but because a cat with rabies could transmit the disease to people, we recommend that all cats be vaccinated against it.

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Vaccines that we don’t recommend:

FVRCP-P (FVRCP-C) (4-in-1) FVRCP – Pneumonitis (i.e., Clamydia)

This is the same vaccine as the FVRCP but with an extra disease, Chlamydia, thrown in.  This disease is relatively mild and easily treated.  The vaccine itself causes significant reactions so it doesn’t make sense to us to give this vaccine to most cats.

FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus)

FIV is a fatal disease of cats.  The vaccine is of questionable value in preventing the disease and may interfere with testing.  We do not recommend this vaccine. 

FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis)

FIP is a usually fatal disease of cats that can cause a number of signs.  Some studies indicate that the vaccine helps protect against FIP.  Some studies indicate that it doesn’t.  Some studies indicate that the vaccine causes the disease to be worse.  We do not recommend this vaccine.

Ringworm

Ringworm is a fairly common fungal disease of hair.  The vaccine hasn’t been shown to prevent infection although it may help prevent signs if given to cats that already have the infection.  The vaccine can cause a number of side effects.

Bordetella

It is uncertain whether bordetella actually causes disease in cats.  If it does, then it is a mild upper respiratory infection that is easily treated.  We estimate that less than 1% of our patients get bordetella.  The vaccine causes side effects in at least 2% of cats vaccinated.  In other words, if we used the vaccine, we would prevent disease in 1 out of every 100 cats and cause disease in 2 out of every 100.

Giardia

Giardia is a parasite of the intestines.  The vaccine probably doesn’t prevent disease but it might decrease clinical signs.  The vaccine might be worthwhile in shelters or catteries that have giardia in the environment.  If giardia becomes a common problem in our patients, we might start recommending the vaccine.

Vaccine Recommendations For Kittens:

Vaccine Associated Cancer: 

Both rabies virus and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) vaccines have been associated with causing cancer at the injection site in cats.  However, the risk is low and because kittens are especially vulnerable to infection with FeLV and because a lot of "indoor" kittens manage to escape once or twice, we still recommend vaccinating all kittens for FeLV and rabies.  (We recommend using Purevax™ rabies vaccine and Purevax™ FeLV vaccine because research indicates that they are safer than other rabies and FeLV vaccines.)  If we have not discussed vaccine sarcomas with you, please ask about it the next time you come in.

Our Current Vaccine Recommendations for Most Kittens: 

• FVRCP (3-in-1) twice - starting at 8 or 9 weeks and repeated every three to four weeks until 16 weeks old.

• Purevax™ FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) twice - starting at 9 weeks or older and repeated three to four weeks later.

• Purevax™ Rabies vaccine at 16 weeks

• No other vaccines.

Other Routine Health Care Recommendations For Kittens:

• At least one complete examination, including a screen for ringworm.

• An FeLV / FIV test at the time of the first vaccinations and again 2 to 4 months later.  (We should note that because of limitations of the FIV test, it is controversial whether this test is indicated in young kittens.)

• At least three fecal exams.

• Routine deworming and heartworm preventative starting no later than the time of the first vaccines.

• Neuter or spay at about 5 months of age.

• A microchip.

 Vaccines For Adult Cats:

Vaccine Associated Cancer:

Both rabies virus and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) vaccines have been associated with causing cancer at the injection site in cats.  The risk is low but we still recommend against the FeLV vaccine in cats that have no possible contact with other cats with the disease.  We recommend using Purevax™ rabies vaccine and Purevax™ FeLV vaccine because research indicates that they are safer than other rabies and FeLV vaccines.  If we have not discussed vaccine sarcomas with you, please ask about it the next time you come in.

Our Current Vaccine Recommendations:*  (These recommendations are for cats who we have previously vaccinated.  If your cat’s most recent vaccines were given elsewhere, the intervals may not apply.)

For Most Adult Cats With No Possible Exposure to FeLV-positive Cats (indoor cats)

• FVRCP (3-in-1) one year after the initial series of vaccines and then every three years.

• Purevax™ Rabies vaccine yearly.

• No other vaccines.

For Most Adult Cats With Possible Exposure to FeLV-positive Cats (outdoor cats)

• FVRCP (3-in-1) one year after the initial series of vaccines and then every three years.

• Purevax™ Rabies vaccine yearly.

• Purevax™ FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) vaccine yearly.

• No other vaccines.

*These vaccine recommendations are based in large part on the 
guidelines of the American Association of Feline Practitioners.

PDF Vaccination Guidelines

Anesthesia in Cats:

We feel that the biggest risk of anesthesia in healthy cats is the possibility of the blood pressure getting too low.  This can cause damage to internal organs without any outward sign.  For this reason, we always recommend (and usually insist) that an IV catheter be in place for anesthetized animals so that fluids can be delivered at a rapid rate if needed.  It is also very important to monitor blood pressure during anesthetic procedures, especially in older cats.

San Diego County Cat Health Concerns:

Coyotes:  There are a lot of coyotes in San Diego County.  These predators feed on just about any small animal that they can catch, including cats.   Coyotes hunt primarily at night but it is safest to keep cats indoors at all times.  We recommend never allowing your cat to go outdoors.

 

Fleas:  Fleas are the main cause of transmission of Bartonella henselae, the bacteria that causes cat scratch disease.  This bacteria can cause serious disease in people, especially those who have a weakened immune system (e.g., from AIDs or chemotherapy).  Even if your cat doesn’t have fleas, it may be worthwhile to treat them with Advantage to prevent fleas and Bartonella.  This is especially important for cats who are in contact with humans with weakened immune systems.

 

Heartworm:  Heartworms are parasites that are carried by mosquitoes.  They migrate to the hearts and vessels of infected animals and are potentially fatal.  Heartworm disease is more common in dogs than in cats.  Heartworm disease is becoming more common in dogs in San Diego County.  Before it becomes common in cats, we have been recommending putting all cats on a heartworm preventative.  Heartworm prevention is more important for outdoor cats and in areas with large numbers of mosquitoes.  Heartworm prevention is very important in cats who travel outside of this area.