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Vaccinations
By Steve Dale
Steve Dale's Pet World

Vaccinations against cat disease should begin when it is a kitten and continue throughout a cat's life. How often cats need boosters for some of the vaccines depends in part on the cat's lifestyle. Consult your veterinarian.

Here are the basic vaccines all owners should get their cats:

• Rabies, though is unlikely to strike indoor cats, is a vaccination required by law. Despite not being common, infected bats and other wild animals may get into homes and attack the cat. According to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, rabies among wild animals is on the rise, particularly in the northeastern United States. Since this deadly disease can be transmitted to people, it's wise to adhere to the law.
  
  Dog owners are usually responsible about vaccinating their pets, but all too often cat owners don't bother. That's true even in households that have both dog and cat companions. As a result, more cats than dogs contract rabies.

• Feline Panleukopenia (feline distemper or feline parvovirus) is a hardy virus that can wait in the environment for many months before infecting an unprotected cat. Indoor cats are prone because owners may unknowingly carry the virus on their shoes or their clothing. An all-purpose FVCP vaccine protects against the Feline Panleukopenia as well as several respiratory diseases.

• Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), the second main cause of infectious-disease death in cats, this killer infects mostly younger cats. Until 1990, there was no vaccine. Today the vaccine's efficacy is still under debate. Odds are that if you adopt an older cat into a household with no other felines, and keep the cat indoors, this vaccine may not be required. However, you should consult your veterinarian.

• Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is a highly contagious virus, and can be passed from cat to cat by saliva, urine, feces or blood. Simply drinking from the same bowl or rubbing against an infected cat can place a healthy cat at serious risk.
  
  Indoor cats may not require this vaccine. High-rise cats are reasonably secure, as long as they don't romp in the hallways with other cats. When an owner brings a new tabby into the house who is not tested for the virus, the established cats will be vulnerable. If there's no risk of your cat coming into contact with an infected individual, this vaccine can probably be avoided. However, check with your vet before making the decision.

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