According to the guidelines set forth by the American Association of Feline Practitioners, the FeLV vaccine is recommended annually for all cats who go outside where they have exposure to other cats, and/or live with a FeLV infected cat. It is also recommended for all kittens due to their unique susceptibility to Feline Leukemia Virus infection.
What about other vaccines?
These are best discussed with your veterinarian. Vaccination schedules are tailored for each pet, taking into consideration factors such as exposure risk, age of pet, previous reactions, etc. Generally, we recommend that all dogs be immunized for the following “core” vaccines/diseases: Parvo, Distemper, Parainfluenza, Canine Adenovirus, and Leptospirosis. “Non core” vaccines that are available but not required (again depending on exposure risk) are Bordatella (Kennel cough), and Lymes disease. Bordatella is required for boarding and grooming. For cats, we currently recommend all cats be vaccinated for Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia. Feline Leukemia vaccine is considered a “core” vaccine for kittens and outdoor cats only and a “non-core” vaccine for all indoor adult cats. Other “non-core” vaccines for cats include FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus), FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis), and Giardia vaccine.