Core Feline Vaccination and Antiparasitic Administration in Shelter Medicine
Age Group | Vaccine or Parasite Type | Route of Administration | Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Vaccinations: | ||||
Kittens ≥ 4 wk | FVRCP | Parenteral | At intake Booster q 2 wk until 16–20 wk old | Ideally, vaccinate 1 wk before shelter entry. Vaccination of kittens < 4 wk old risks cerebellar hypoplasia |
Cohoused cats and kittens ≥ 8 wk | FeLV | Parenteral | At intake Booster once 3 wk later | Optional in individually housed cats |
Cats and kittens ≥ 12 wk | Parenteral | Single dose before release from shelter or sooner | Recombinant or inactivated vaccine | |
Cats and kittens ≥ 20 wk | FVRCP | Parenteral | At intake Booster once 2 wk later | Vaccination of pregnant queens risks cerebellar hypoplasia |
Antiparasitic medications: | ||||
Kittens ≤ 12 wk | Oral | At intake | Compounded ponazuril, 50 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h for 3 d is most effectivea,b Kittens with diarrhea should be bathed daily during treatment | |
Cats and kittens ≥ 2 wk | Roundworms and hookworms | Oral or topicalc* | At intake Repeat in 2 wk In kittens (and pregnant or nursing cats) only, continue to deworm q 2 wk until age 16 wk; then q 1 mo until age 6 mo; then q 3 mo | Common treatment products: pyrantel pamoate (5 mg/kg, PO, once then repeated in 7–14 d); fenbendazole (eg, 50 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h for 3–5 d); avermectins (eg, selamectin, 6 mg/kg, topically, q 30 d) |
Cats and kittens ≥ 6–8 wk | Oral or topical | At intake Repeat q 1 mo or as directed by product | Many products treat both internal and external parasites Use mechanical removal strategies for younger kittens | |
Cats and kittens ≥ 8 wk | Oral or topical | Repeat q 1 mo or as directed by product | American Heartworm Society recommendation: start kittens on heartworm preventative as early as product label allows and no later than age 8 wk | |
All cats and kittens | Other internal and external parasites | Treat as appropriate based on testing results | Routine screening of all cats and kittens not indicated | Screening recommended for clinically abnormal cats and kittens |
Abbreviations: FeLV, feline leukemia virus; FVRCP, feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia. | ||||
a Although an approved commercial formulation of ponazuril is available in the US, it is labeled for horses and requires dilution. In the shelter setting, compounded versions may be preferable for ease of dosing in small animals. In addition, although sulfadimethoxine is approved in the US for coccidiosis in dogs and cats, the duration of treatment is longer. In the author's experience, ponazuril use results in better compliance and does not contribute to a longer length of stay in the shelter setting. b Litster AL, Nichols J, Hall K, Camp J, Mohamed AS. Use of ponazuril paste to treat coccidiosis in shelter-housed cats and dogs. Vet Parasitol. 2014;202(3-4):319-325. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.03.003 c Common treatment products: pyrantel pamoate (eg, 5 mg/kg, PO, once, then repeated in 7–14 d); fenbendazole (eg, 50 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h for 3–5 d) can be used at the intervals indicated in the Notes column. Avermectins (eg, selamectin, 6 mg/kg, topically, q 30 d) are not recommended to be used more frequently than once a month. | ||||