Yes, cats can still be infected with feline calicivirus (FCV) after being vaccinated, though vaccination significantly reduces the risk of severe disease and helps control the spread of the virus. Here’s a detailed explanation:
Key Reasons for Potential Post-Vaccination Infection:
- Vaccine Efficacy Limits
- Vaccines against FCV are designed to protect against severe clinical signs (such as severe oral ulcers, pneumonia, or systemic illness) rather than completely preventing infection. They stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies that mitigate disease severity but may not block the virus from entering the body entirely.
- FCV is highly genetically diverse with many strains. Vaccines typically target common or well-characterized strains, but a cat might encounter a variant strain that the vaccine does not fully cover, leading to breakthrough infection.
- Individual Immune Variability
- A cat’s immune response to vaccination can vary based on factors like age, health status (e.g., underlying illnesses, immunosuppression), and nutrition. Kittens with immature immune systems or adult cats with compromised immunity may not develop sufficient protective antibodies, making them more susceptible to infection despite vaccination.
- Vaccine Duration and Boosters
- The protective effect of FCV vaccines is not lifelong. Over time, antibody levels can decline, especially if booster shots are not administered as recommended (usually annually for adult cats). Reduced antibody levels increase the risk of infection.
- High Viral Exposure
- In environments with a high concentration of FCV (e.g., animal shelters, multi-cat households with infected individuals), even vaccinated cats may be exposed to a viral load that overwhelms their immune defenses, leading to infection.
What to Expect with Post-Vaccination Infection:
If a vaccinated cat does get infected with FCV, the symptoms are usually mild and shorter-lived compared to unvaccinated cats. They may experience mild oral discomfort, slight lethargy, or a transient fever, rather than severe ulcers, pneumonia, or systemic collapse.
Prevention and Management:
- Ensure regular vaccination and booster shots as advised by a veterinarian.
- Maintain good hygiene in multi-cat environments (e.g., frequent cleaning of food bowls, litter boxes) to reduce viral spread.
- Isolate infected cats promptly to protect others, even if they are vaccinated.
In summary, while vaccination is highly effective at preventing severe FCV disease, it does not guarantee complete protection against infection due to viral diversity, immune variability, and other factors.
Ringbio’s Feline Calicivirus IgG Antibody ELISA Kit is based on an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect Calicivirus specific antibodies in feline serum and plasma, moreover, it can be used in the supervision of FCV vaccine antibody levels in cats.
Check here, https://www.ringbio.com/products/pet/feline-calicivirus-igg-antibody-elisa-kit