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Necessary
Vaccinations
for Cats & Kittens
All cats should be vaccinated, even
strictly indoor ones. Cats may always escape. Some diseases use mice,
fleas, or other insects as vectors and do not require the presence of
other cats. Natural disasters consider earthquakes, hurricanes, etc.,
may let your cat out of the house. Therefore if you get a new kitten, it
is important to find out what vaccinations it has been given and at what
age. If you obtain an adult cat, you should know when it had its last
booster vaccinations.
A kitten usually will receive a series
of two to four vaccinations. The actual number varies, depending on the
kitten's age at the first visit, whether the mother was vaccinated, and
whether the kitten came from a potential disease situation (such as
exposure to a sick animal).
Feline distemper, or feline
panleukopenia, is a severe viral disease that is frequently fatal if
untreated. Cats with distemper do not eat, are lethargic, and have
fever. The risk of contracting distemper can be virtually eliminated by
appropriately vaccinating your cat.
The feline herpesvirus that causes
rhinotracheitis and the feline calicivirus produce teary eyes and nasal
discharge. Also, eye ulcers can occur with feline herpesvirus
infections. The feline calicivirus can produce ulcerations on the tongue
and roof of the mouth, and occasionally the infection will cause
pneumonia. Those two viral infections can be difficult to differentiate
clinically or to cure; many cats become chronic carriers of the viruses.
Feline pneumonitis, caused by a Chlamydia organism, is a mild to severe
respiratory and eye disease. Chlamydial vaccines are available, often in
combination with other vaccines. Although vaccination does not provide
complete protection, it will reduce the severity of the disease.
In general, the first vaccination to
protect against diseases caused by these organisms is given around six
to eight weeks of age, and other vaccinations are given at three- to
four-week intervals until the kitten is twelve to sixteen weeks of age.
That regime will help to protect a very high percentage of cats from
feline panleukopenia (distemper) and respiratory viruses (the
herpesvirus and the calicivirus). Occasionally, your veterinarian may
start vaccinations at an earlier age or give them at shorter intervals
if there have been problems with feline viral diseases in your area.
Following initial vaccinations, boosters should be given regularly to
keep the cat protected.
Vaccines can help protect your cat
against the feline leukemia virus (FeLV). The kitten should be tested
before vaccinating it, since the vaccine will not provide protection if
the kitten is already infected with the virus. If the test is negative
for FeLV, the kitten should be vaccinated twice starting at nine to ten
weeks of age, with the second vaccine dose given three to four weeks
later. Your cat should receive annual revaccinations
("booster" vaccinations) against FeLV. Since the FeLV vaccines
will not protect all cats, your veterinarians will discuss additional
ways to help prevent infection.
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is
caused by a coronavirus. The first FIP vaccine was introduced in 1991.
The vaccine is administered intranasally to cats at 16 weeks of age,
with boosters in three to four weeks, and then yearly. Cats in multiple
cat facilities have a much greater risk of developing FIP than most
household cats. If used appropriately and in conjunction with proper
management, this vaccine has been found helpful in reducing the
incidence of FIP in certain multiple cat environments. If your cat
resides in a high-risk environment, you should discuss the vaccine with
your veterinarian.
Feline Immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is
a newly recognized feline virus that affects the immune system, similar
to human AIDS. There are diagnostic tests available to determine if a
cat is infected with the virus. Usually it is advisable to test after
the kitten is four months or older to obtain the most accurate test
results. Your cat should be vaccinated against rabies. The first vaccine
should be given at age twelve to sixteen weeks, followed by booster
shots.
Feline Vaccination
Schedule
6 weeks:Temporary vaccination for
kittens that did that did not nurse from their mother during the first
hours after birth or kittens from a mother that is not current on her
vaccinations
8 weeks:FVRCP-Panleukopenia (The first
FVRCP vaccination must be boostered after 3-4 weeks to insure maximum
levels of immunity in your cat. Your vet may also recommend an
additional booster vaccination at 15-16 weeks of age. ),
Rhinotracheitis, Calcivirus, and Chlamydia
12 weeks: FVRCP Booster FeLV-Feline
Leukemia
16 weeks:
- FeLV Booster
- FVRCP Booster (if recommended)
6 months: Rabies
14 months:
- FVRCP (Boostered annually from this
date)
- FeLV (Boostered annually from this
date)
18 months:
- Rabies (Boostered every 1-3 years
from this date depending on local vaccination requirements)
Additional Information
The FVRCP, FeLV, and Rabies
vaccinations are given as injections. Some cats develop a small lump at
the injection site several weeks following the injection. Normally the
lump will subside within a few weeks and should only raise concern if it
lasts considerably longer than this. Let your vet know if the lump seems
to bother your cat or does not seem to go away several weeks after it
appeared. Always contact your vet if your cat displays any other adverse
reactions to the vaccinations it has been given.
Please note: The
information provided here is meant to supplement that provided by your
veterinarian.
Nothing can replace a complete history and physical examination
performed by your veterinarian.
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