Our Cat Vaccination Policies - London Vet Clinic : London Vet Clinic

The first evidence that properly manufactured feline enteritis vaccine offers longer than one year immunity was published in the early 1990s and since that time we have had a policy at the London Veterinary Clinic of giving boosters less frequently than yearly. Today, we vaccinate and give booster inoculations according to an individual’s life style. These are our general guidelines.

Background Information On Inoculations

Preventing disease through inoculation is a technique that harnesses the body’s natural ability to fight infection. An infectious agent such as a virus or bacteria is modified so that it is no longer infectious but is still similar enough to its unmodified infectious form that when the immune system is exposed to it, the immune system creates antibodies, proteins that attach to and help destroy the specific infectious agent. Vaccines are creating either by killing infectious agents, modifying them so they are still alive but no longer infectious or by taking vital components of them and, through genetic engineering, enslaving bacteria to produce replicas of these parts. Kittens acquire protective antibodies from the milk they suckle from their mothers soon after birth. These temporary antibodies usually last around six to 12 weeks.

Vaccination For Indoor And Outdoor Cats

We vaccinate all indoor and outdoor kittens against feline infectious enteritis and two forms of cat flu, feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV), with two inoculations given three weeks apart, starting as early as eight weeks of age. We follow the suggestions of The American Association of Feline Practitioners and the American Academy of Feline Medicine and give a booster at fifteen months of age and then no more frequently than every three years for feline infectious enteritis, and in general every three years for FCV and FHV-1. Boarding catteries usually require proof of vaccination within the preceding 12 months.

Outdoor cats that meet feral cats are vaccinated against leukemia virus (FeLV) as kittens and again at fifteen months of age. As cats age, the frequency of booster inoculations against FeLV diminishes until in most instances it can safely stop.

Cats traveling under the Pet Travel Scheme are vaccinated against rabies with a three year vaccine. For more information, please go to “Travelling abroad with your pet” in NEWS AND ADVICE

Indoors Or Outdoors?

Most cats we see live indoors but if you have a garden decide when you get your cat whether to let it roam outdoors. The indoor versus outdoor debate has no conclusive answer but there is no denying that outdoor cats, especially in the heart of London, live much shorter lives than indoor ones, not just because of the greater risk of fatal injuries but also because of the array of potentially lethal viruses cats come in contact with when they meet and fight with cats that carry these viruses. Infections from two of these viruses damage the immune system and predispose to the development of lymphoma, the most common tumour cats have. Outdoor risks from transmissible diseases are dramatically reduced through vaccination.

Feline infectious enteritis

This virus causes severe vomiting and diarrhoea, even death especially in kittens. It can survive for prolonged periods in the environment.

Cat ‘flu

Two common viruses, feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV), are spread by close contact with carriers and are responsible for the majority of cases of acute upper respiratory tract disease or ‘cat ‘flu’ that we see. Infection causes mild to severe signs including sneezing, nasal discharge, eye inflammation and discharge, mouth ulcers, sore throat (pharyngitis) and coughing. Pneumonia is a life-threatening complication. Some cats recover fully in a few days. Others take weeks. Some develop permanent damage to the nose or eyes. Vaccination protects a cat from severe illness but does not prevent infection. Even more exasperating, vaccinated cats can still become carriers of the viruses even though they don’t show any signs of disease and pass them on to others.

Feline leukaemia virus

Feline leukemia virus or ‘FeLV’ is a fragile virus transmitted in the saliva through prolonged close contact between cats. Infection usually results in life-long infection and frustratingly most die within three years of being diagnosed with FeLV, usually from an associated illness such as lymphoma or anaemia. While only around one per cent of healthy cats test positive up to 18 per cent of ill cats seen by vets have FeLV. Blood testing for this virus has been very effective in reducing its incidence in purebred cat breeding. FeLV vaccine provides protection for cats at risk although it doesn’t necessarily protect all cats.

Vaccines can have adverse effects

Mild reactions such as pain at the injection site or a low fever for a day are neither unusual nor worrying but more severe adverse reactions to inoculations do sometimes occur. In the largest UK published survey suspected adverse reactions occur in one out of every 15,000 inoculations, usually in cats under six months old. The most common adverse reactions were lameness, temporary injection site reactions and general allergic reactions.

Injection site sarcomas

One rare form of adverse reaction is a localised tumour called a sarcoma. Recent research suggests that the vaccination itself does not cause the development of the sarcoma, but rather this tumour develops in some cats as a result of that individual’s genetic predisposition to develop sarcomas following inflammatory change in soft tissues whatever the cause. Vaccination, other injections, and other forms of trauma may all cause inflammation leading to the growth of a sarcoma. There is no difference in the likelihood of injection site sarcomas for products from different vaccine manufacturers. Other studies have revealed injection site sarcomas can develop after injection of other products including antibiotics to some cats. The true incidence of injection site sarcomas is considerably lower than some of the 1990s estimates suggested but if your cat is one that has localized reactions (heat, swelling, sensitivity) to any injections we recommend keeping all injections to a minimum.

Homeopathic vaccine nosodes don’t work

It would be wonderful if homeopathic protection against transmissible infection worked but challenge studies show that it doesn’t. If you believe in homeopathic nosode treatment, by all means provide it for your cat, but don’t deny it the true protection of primary inoculations.

For more information on feline infections see “Cat germs” in NEWS AND ADVICE

Reviews

“Bruce Fogle and his excellent team have always gone above and beyond to care for my bouncy Betty. There have been some pretty hairy situations (including what turned out to be a swallowed ball) - and somehow the team remain calm, professional, and deliver the best care. The team have excellent bedside manner - explaining everything in clear detail whilst holding my hand and Betty's paw. I'm forever grateful.

Alice B-B

“Our dogs adore going to the vet so much it's almost ridiculous, invariably starting to squeal with excitement at any sign we're turning towards Marylebone and, on arrival, ejecting themselves from the car and dragging us through the door in their hurry to be fussed over by the lovely nurses. Bruce has been our vet since the day we brought our first puppy home in 2006. Together with the other fabulous vets, nurses, and staff at 86 York Street, they've seen our pets through it all, from their very first checks to the sad day when they've needed to be ushered kindly and gently out of pain. Over the years, they've removed a hiking sock from a dog's intestines, dealt with kennel cough, clipped nails, diagnosed giardia, cured a hamster's sniffles, sutured paws, spayed and neutered, referred to specialist vets when necessary, and helped us survive a phantom pregnancy. When one of our dogs was really ill, Helen was an absolute star, not only providing comfort and advice but moving heaven and earth to source a hard-to-get medication for her. And that's not even mentioning the routine stuff—dispensing behavioural guidance, worming tablets, vaccines, and dietary advice, all with empathy, calm professionalism, and good humour. London Vet Clinic is one of the few true, old-fashioned, independent vet practices left in London,and we're incredibly grateful to have our pets in their safe hands.

Jessica

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“Our Jack Russell puppy, Louis, had been quite unwell which led us needing to take several visits to the vet, often in quite fraught circumstances. The London Vet Clinic were always able to accommodate us, even at short notice putting our minds more at ease. The whole team there from the vets, nurses and receptionists were amazing and showed genuine care and concern for Louis. We always felt more at ease when we were there and knew that Louis was receiving the best care possible. Even under quite unpleasant circumstances, Louis learnt to associate the vet as a happy and positive place and whenever we go there now is always excited to see everyone. We couldn’t have made it through this tricky period without them. We are so lucky to have access to such an amazing team of people!

Louis

“I love the London Vet Clinic - everyone is always so lovely and accommodating. You can tell they really love animals which is very reassuring when you have to leave your pets in their care.

MSG

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“My Pug Queenie has been seen by a number of the Vets at the London Vet clinic, all were brilliant, they thoroughly explained all of the procedures that my dog would be having. I’m a first-time pug owner and I have very much appreciated all their help. Queenie’s had her spay & Boas surgery here. Jo was fantastic, she did the Boas, which has been highly successful, Queenie’s been coping well with the extreme heat we have been having. Highly recommended!

Queenie

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“Always friendly and super patient. Always willing to help, and willing to take the extra mile. Never over charge for anything. Very understanding and always shows support. Love the fact london vet clinic is involving animals charity works too.

Julie

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“Chop is our English Bulldog and she is quite lazy, but she is always enthusiastic to come along to see everyone at The London Veterinary Medicine Clinic as they are all so kind and make anything she needs doing an easy task. The Clinic keeps us informed of all the things we need to do to keep our dog healthy and when, in the past, she has had medical procedures, talk us through the options best for her. Thank you for your help!

Terry Newman

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“Well Jane and I have just left the vet today after bringing in our beautiful boy Bruno (a very naughty Jack Russell) Yet again we walked away saying how amazing these guys are at the London Vet Clinic. Generally Helen looks after our boy but everybody there is absolutely lovely. They all seem to be in the right job !! Caring, talented, sincere, friendly, knowledgeable and trustworthy. We are always happy to leave our wonderful dog there to be looked after.. actually last year he was really poorly with Gastroenteritis and they literally saved his life. Thank you all so much…Adam & Jane xx

Adam & Jane E

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“The best vet I have ever been. The staff are so nice and attentive. My dog loves going there, whichever of the doctors or the nurses are on duty the atmosphere is always so welcoming and nice. Next year will be my 10th year as a client.

Jenny P

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“We were so lucky to have been given London Vetinary Clinic as a recommendation when our first dog was a puppy and since then we have never been disappointed with the care and attention to detail we have received from all the vets there. They have always given us the most upfront advice and options when it comes to big decisions with our dogs health. Never forced views or treatments but given us all the options. It feels like you’re walking in to a practise that is welcoming and caring, a real family feel whenever we have visited. They have always helped immensely and quickly when it comes to insurance claims and travel documents which can be baffling. Because we’ve had such positive experiences and care we have them Reccomended many friends too who are now also patients. We feel very lucky to have such great vets if and when we need them. Thank you all x

Hayley Sessel & Syril

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