Vaccination of Immunocompromised Cats

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Immunology
• Feline Health

Background:

• Immunocompromise is prevalent in cats, stemming from viral infections (FIV, FeLV), chronic diseases (tumors, diabetes, CKD), and immunosuppressive drug use.
• Limited and sometimes conflicting data exist regarding the efficacy and safety of vaccinating immunocompromised cats.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on vaccinating immunocompromised cats.
• To provide evidence-based recommendations and expert opinions to guide veterinary decisions.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of available scientific literature on feline vaccination in immunocompromised states.
• Incorporation of expert consensus from the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD) to address data gaps.

Main Results:

• Few studies specifically address vaccination protocols for immunocompromised cats.
• Contradictory findings in existing research highlight the need for cautious interpretation.

Conclusions:

• Veterinarians require clear guidelines for vaccinating immunocompromised cats due to the complexity and scarcity of data.
• This review aims to consolidate scientific evidence and expert opinion to support informed clinical decision-making for feline vaccination.