Vaccine for the Feline Herpes Virus

Just like for humans, vaccines are available for a variety of viruses that can infect cats. That includes the vaccine for the feline herpes virus, which can cause up to 80 percent of the chronic respiratory illness in cats. Your veterinarian can talk to you about the risks and benefits of this vaccine.

  1. Feline Herpes Virus

    • The feline herpes virus, also known as FHV-1, is one of the most common causes of upper respiratory diseases in cats. It causes symptoms including watery eyes and nasal discharge, lots of sneezing and a fever. A cat infected with the feline herpes virus could lose its appetite, develop skin lesions near its eyes and could be at an increased risk for developing other, secondary infections while ill, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

    Vaccine

    • A vaccine is a tool a veterinarian can use to help protect your cat from disease. The vaccine for the feline herpes virus contains antigens that are close enough to the virus that your cat's immune system will react to them as though they are the virus. This prompts the immune system to prepare a defense against the feline herpes virus without your cat being made ill, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

    Benefits

    • The main benefit of the vaccine for the feline herpes virus is that if your cat is exposed to the virus, the vaccine can prevent your cat from contracting the disease. This is important because once a cat contracts the herpes virus, it will always have it--there is no cure for it. If your cat does get sick after being vaccinated, its symptoms will be much less severe and it will recover more quickly from the virus.

    Risks

    • All vaccines carry a certain amount of risk. If your cat is given the feline herpes virus vaccine, it could experience an adverse reaction to it. In mild cases, your cat will experience a fever, pain at the injection site and lethargy for a few days after the vaccine is administered. In severe cases, your cat could have a dangerous allergic reaction to the vaccine. Rarely, a cat will develop a cancerous tumor at the injection site.

    Considerations

    • Talk to your veterinarian about what vaccines are required by law in your area. Depending on the laws and your cat's interaction with other animals and human beings, she can help you determine which vaccines are needed to best protect your cat's health. The vaccine for the feline herpes virus might be needed only every three years to maintain your cat's immunity.