The core vaccine is known as FVRCP. This is an acronym used by veterinarians and it stands for “feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia.”
Panleukopenia (feline distemper) can be a deadly disease. Since the viruses responsible for causing virus infection which attacks the rapidly dividing cells in their bone marrow and intestinal tract, resulting in severe vomiting and diarrhea. Signs are dehydration, protein loss from the diarrhea and a dangerously low white blood cell count because of the virus’s effect on the bone marrow cells. Pneumonia can also develop and complicate the infection. Kittens with feline panleukopenia virus infection are critically ill and unfortunately, many cannot be saved. No specific treatment for the feline distemper virus exists
Rhinotracheitis is a herpes virus and causes fever, sneezing, a runny nose and eyes. Most cats recover, but kittens can be severely affected and develop oral and corneal ulcers. Chronic infection can also occur since it is a herpes virus. Talk to your vet about the use of lysine, which may lessen the attacks.
Calicivirus causes similar clinical signs and preferentially infects the oral cavity, causing sneezing, runny nose and oral ulcers. Some strains of virus may cause pneumonia. Unless a secondary bacterial infection develops, there is no specific treatment for calicivirus. Your cat can get either rhinotracheitis or calicivirus from the sneezes of a sick cat or if you come in contact with a sick cat and then pet your cat, you may inadvertently spread the virus.
Even though these viral infections are serious, they are preventable though vaccination.
Our Bengals will have 2 sets of FVRCP vaccinations and will require a booster until 1 year and then every 3 years thereafter.
Vaccination is not currently recommended for all cats, and the decision to vaccinate should be made on a case-by case basis after consulting with your veterinarian. Because the routine test for FIV (ELISA blood test) detects antibodies against the virus and not the virus itself, vaccination will cause a cat to test positive.
Vaccination against FeLV helps prevent virus persistence and FeLV-associated disease, and is recommended for all catsat risk of exposure - including cats with access to outdoors, cats living with known FeLV-infected cats, and in multicat environments where the FeLV status of all cats is not known. Vaccination does not affect test results.