NAVTA Practice Test

A core vaccine for a cat would be ____.

1. Leptospirosis.

2. Feline herpesvirus.

3. Rabies.

4. Feline infectious peritonitis.

The correct answer is: Feline herpesvirus.

The correct answer is feline herpesvirus. Core vaccines are those that are recommended for all cats, regardless of their lifestyle or risk factors, due to the serious nature of the diseases they prevent. Feline herpesvirus is one of the primary components of the feline viral rhinotracheitis complex, which can cause severe respiratory illness in cats and has widespread prevalence. Vaccination against this virus minimizes the risk of severe outbreaks and is crucial in maintaining overall feline health. While rabies is indeed a core vaccine in many regions, as it is a zoonotic disease and poses a significant public health risk, it is often mandated by law rather than considered a core vaccine in the same context as feline herpesvirus. Leptospirosis and feline infectious peritonitis are not classified as core vaccines; they are more specific in their application and generally administered based on individual risk factors rather than universally recommended for all cats.