- December 4, 2025
What do all those initials in my cat’s vaccine stand for?
Just as we humans need vaccines and our dogs need vaccines, cats also need vaccines, especially when they are kittens. There are several life-threatening and even communicable diseases that cats are susceptible to. Vaccinations are an essential component of keeping your cat healthy.
Kittens require multiple vaccines over the course of the first few months of life starting around 6 weeks of age. Adult cats require less frequent vaccination, about once every one to three years.
Vaccines contain modified (weakened or killed) virus or bacteria that trigger the cat's immune system to develop antibodies which can help fight off future infection, if exposed to the disease. The FVRCP vaccine is a core vaccine for cats, protecting against three highly contagious and potentially fatal feline diseases:
1. Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR)
Rhinotracheitis, also called feline herpes is the cause of up to 80-90% of all upper respiratory diseases in cats and kittens. Symptoms include fever, sneezing, inflamed eyes and nose with discharge.
In healthy adult cats these symptoms may be mild and begin to clear up after about 5-10 days; however in more severe cases symptoms can last for months. Even after the symptoms of FVR have cleared up, the virus remains dormant in your cat's body and can flare up repeatedly over your kitty's lifetime.
2. Feline Calicivirus (C)
Calici is a major cause of upper respiratory infections and oral disease in cats. Symptoms include nasal congestion, sneezing, eye inflammation and clear or yellow discharge from the infected cat's nose or eyes. Cats often develop painful ulcers on their tongue, gums or lips. Often cats infected with feline calicivirus suffer from loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, squinting and lethargy.
Certain strains can cause pneumonia, and still others can lead to joint pain and lameness.
3. Feline Panleukopenia (P)
Panleuk, often nicknamed feline parvo is a common and serious virus in cats that causes damage to bone marrow, lymph nodes and the cells lining your cat's intestines. Symptoms include vomiting, severe diarrhea, nasal discharge, loss of appetite, high fever, lethargy and dehydration.
Cats infected with panleuk frequently develop secondary infections as well, due to the weakened state of their immune systems. Although this disease can attack cats of any age it is most common in kittens.
Treating panleukopenia can require intensive nursing care and constant IV therapy.
The FVRCP vaccine is an extremely effective way to protect your kitty against these three highly contagious and life-threatening feline diseases.
Also, don’t forget your cat’s rabies vaccine. Keeping pets current on rabies vaccines is Florida law, due to the fact that rabies can cause a human health risk.
Feline Leukemia is a lot like the HIV virus in humans. Some cats can live long lives with leukemia. If your cat is completely indoors, your vet may not even recommend the vaccine.
Besides vaccines, also make sure your cats and kittens are regularly dewormed and treated with flea prevention.
In return for the care that you provide for a cat, cats have a calming, stress-reducing impact on our health. Cat ownership may improve heart health, alleviate social isolation, protect against allergies/asthma and boost mental health.
