The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has released updated cat vaccination guidelines. These take into account recent research into vaccine efficacy and infectious diseases.

With outbreaks of the once-rare feline parvovirus outbreaks occurring throughout Victoria and a new highly fatal strain of feline calicivirus (one of the cat flu viruses), it has never been more important to keep our feline friends vaccinated.

Recent research and guidelines have shifted toward a tailored vaccination approach for each cat, rather than a blanket policy of annual vaccines for every cat. For example, an indoors only cat that lives in an apartment with no other pets will have different vaccination needs to a cat that goes outdoors, or often stays at a boarding cattery.

Our aim at Melbourne Cat Vets will be to personalize your cat’s vaccinations to their lifestyle and individual health. This will ensure that your cat is properly vaccinated, but doesn’t receive any excessive or unnecessary vaccinations.

Titre testing is also available to assess your cat’s immunity to feline parvovirus, but it is not accurate at predicting your cat’s immunity to the cat flu viruses. If you’re interested in titre testing however, please feel free to discuss this with one of our vets.

The team at Melbourne Cat Vets is highly qualified to discuss your cat’s vaccine needs. All of the vets have undertaken further study in the field of feline medicine, and we even have a Feline Medicine specialist on hand. Melbourne Cat Vets is committed to staying abreast of the most up to date knowledge regarding vaccinating your precious pet.