Vaccinations

Vaccination programs will be tailored for your cat based on age, lifestyle and overall health. Our philosophy is to avoid over-vaccination by vaccinating only for diseases that our patients are at risk of contracting. We follow the guidelines of the American Animal Hospital Association in choosing our core vaccines. We do not vaccinate for every disease every year. Cats need to come in for an annual examination and vaccines will be prescribed as needed.

An annual visit includes a thorough nose to tail examination as detailed below, appropriate vaccinations, parasite control, nutrition, weight and behavioural counselling. Your veterinarian will also be able to advise you on any preventative care measures that you can be taking to help your cat live a long and healthy life. Of course, you can request your choice of veterinarian for your visit.

Does my indoor cat need to be vaccinated?

At Annex Animal Hospital, we focus on preventive health care for cats. Just as people should regularly visit their doctor and dentist, all cats should see their veterinarian at least once a year.

A pet’s health can change a lot in a year due to environment, stress, genetic conditions, and routine aging. By examining your cat and discussing their lifestyle and behaviour with you, your veterinarian can determine if your cat has any health issues of which you are unaware. Annual visits can assist the veterinarian in detecting emerging health problems before they become serious. Even indoor cats need to come in for an annual examination and vaccines will be prescribed as needed.

The Toronto city bylaw states that all household pets must be vaccinated against the Rabies virus.

What are FVRCP and core vaccine for cats?

• Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis – An upper respiratory virus with cold-like symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, runny eyes and congestion.
• Calicivirus – A respiratory virus affecting the lungs, nasal passages and oral cavities with the potential to cause ulceration of infected tissues.
• Feline Panleukopenia (commonly referred to as Feline Distemper) – Highly contagious and life-threatening viral infection. Symptoms may include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, lethargy, dehydration, weight loss, and neurological signs in some patients.

Is it safe to vaccinate my cat regularly?

All the feline vaccines that we administer are Purevax vaccines by Merial. The Rabies and the Feline Leukemia vaccines are recombinant and are considered the safest for cats. By all means, feel free to discuss any concerns about vaccinations with one of our veterinarians.

There is a lot of false information about vaccine safety online. We want to educate our clients with reliable information so that you may make an informed decision about vaccinating your cat.