Feline Focus 5

About Feline Focus 5 Vaccines

Cats routinely receive vaccinations designed to help their immune systems develop a response against common intruders. These vaccines are produced by a number of manufacturers, but for the purpose of this article, we're going to concentrate on the Feline Focus 5 vaccine manufactured by Durvet.

This vaccine is actually a combination of the company's popular Feline Focus 4 and Feline Focus FeLV vaccines.

Focus 4 is a modified live vaccine that protects against:

• Rhinotracheitis: A herpes virus that can cause severe respiratory infections
• Calicivirus: Another virus that causes respiratory distress, as well as muscle and gastrointestinal problems
• Panleukopenia: A highly contagious virus that causes feline distemper
• Chlamydia psittaci: A bacteria that can produce conjunctivitis, pneumonia and reproductive problems

Focus FeLV contains tissue cultures from the feline leukemia virus, and is designed to prevent the development of lymphoid tumors, as well as other diseases closely associated with this virus.

The resulting combination Focus 5 vaccine is administered either by subcutaneous (under the skin) or intramuscular (in the muscle) injections, and is best delivered at room temperature for the animal's greater comfort.

Focus 5 Vaccination Schedule

As with most vaccines, the Focus 5 requires multiple periodic injections in order for a cat's immune system to learn to recognize the intruder and develop a way to defeat it. In the case of Focus 5, the series only requires two injections to provide a cat or kitten with the necessary immunity. For kittens, the first injection should be given no earlier than nine weeks of age. The second injection should be delivered approximately three to four weeks after the first. This allows the immature immune system the extra time needed to develop the intruder response.

Adult cats being vaccinated for the first time may also receive a series of two separate injects, and all felines that receive the vaccine should continue to receive an annual booster to help provide continued immunity. This is especially critical for cats that roam outside and come into contact with other felines.

Possible Reactions

Like most vaccines, the Feline Focus 5 is not without its risks, and reactions to the booster do sometimes occur. The most common reaction is anaphylactic shock. This is basically a swift and sometimes severe allergic reaction, and it's typically caused by compounds known as adjuvants that are added to a vaccine to provoke a faster immune response.

Signs of mild anaphylaxis include:

• Low fever
• Lethargy
• Reduced appetite

Signs of severe anaphylaxis include:

• Sudden drop in blood pressure
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling
• Pale gums
• Irregular heartbeat
• Disorientation
• Vomiting
• Hives
• Uncontrolled soiling
• Convulsions
• Complete collapse

Vets typically treat anaphylaxis by administering and injection of epinephrine to halt the production of histamines. Antihistamines and/or corticosteroids may also be helpful, but are administered on a case by case basis. In the most severe cases, it may be necessary to perform a tracheotomy to restore breathing if the larynx has completely swollen shut. It's worth noting that once a cat has a reaction to the vaccine, even a mild one, you can expect another reaction if the booster is ever administered again.

Not for Use in Pregnant Cats

According to the manufacturer, the Focus 5 vaccination is not suitable for use on pregnant cats because it can damage the embryos. It's best to administer the booster a month or so before a planned breeding, and to wait until after the kittens are weaned to vaccinate a currently pregnant cat.

Find Focus 5 Vaccine

Although it's usually safer to let your vet handle vaccinations, many breeders and owners do give their pets this vaccine themselves. Focus 5 can be purchased from the following websites:

• Pup's Pet Supply: Each single dose vaccine costs approximately $8.75.
• Heartland Veterinary Supply and Pharmacy: Boosters cost about $10.00 each.
• Shop.com: Vaccines cost approximately $8.25 each, but the site offers discounts on bulk orders.