When do i need to vaccinate my cat

You will need to discuss the most effective vaccine schedule with your vet. That said, these are the core vaccinations typically recommended for all cats: Panleukopenia.

Also known as feline parvovirus or feline distemper, the panleukopenia virus is a life-threatening viral disease that spreads quickly through non-vaccinated cat populations.

This disease affects rapidly dividing cells in the body and can cause vomiting and diarrhoea and neurological signs. Young kittens are particularly sensitive. Feline Herpes Virus. This is a viral upper respiratory infection. It is highly contagious and can lead to pneumonia, particularity in kittens. This is another viral respiratory disease, which also affects the intestines and the musculoskeletal system.

Extra Cat Vaccination Shots In addition to the above-recommended vaccinations, you may also want to vaccinate your cat against these diseases: Feline Leukemia. It can be transmitted by infected cats via their saliva and is one of the top causes of cat deaths worldwide. Chlamydophila Felis. A bacterial infection, this disease causes inflammation of the conjunctiva, respiratory problems, and rhinitis in cats.

Risks Associated with Cat Vaccines As with all medication options, vaccines for cats do carry some risks. Search topic. Your veterinarian will let you know which ones your kitty should get. This type of vaccine protects you cat from the following conditions:. We recommended bringing your kitten in for their first round of vaccinations when they are between six and eight weeks old.

Below is a series of vaccinations your kitten should given in three to four week intervals til they are about 16 weeks old. Your adult cat should receive their booster shots every year or once every three years depending on the vaccine. Your vet will inform you of your cat's vaccination booster shot schedule. Your kitten will not be fully vaccinated until they are roughly 12 - 16 weeks old, which is when they should have received all of their vaccinations.

This allows any health concerns that your cat may have to be addressed as early as possible, giving your cat the best chance possible to be healthy and comfortable. The core vaccines used in cats are very safe with a very low incidence of adverse reactions; the benefits of protection from serious infectious disease significantly outweigh the risks of developing an adverse reaction. If you have any concerns about adverse vaccine reactions or the health of your cat, it is best to speak to your veterinarian.

Journal of Small Animal Practice, Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 56 4 : — Core and non-core vaccinations [ 1 , 2 ] Core vaccines are those that all unvaccinated cats and cats with an unknown vaccination history should receive to protect them against key diseases including enteritis feline panleukopaenia, a parvovirus and cat flu feline calicivirus and feline herpesvirus.

Please speak to your veterinarian for the most appropriate advice for your individual cat. Kitten vaccinations [ 1 , 2 , 3 ] The first core vaccination administered to kittens is from weeks of age, then every 3—4 weeks until 16—20 weeks of age.

Most cats show no ill side effect from receiving a cat vaccine. If your cat does have a reaction, they are usually minor and short-lived. However, you should still be on the lookout for the following symptoms that might indicate negative side effects from a cat vaccine:.

If you suspect your cat is experiencing any ill side effects from his or her cat vaccine, call us immediately so we can help you to determine whether any special care is needed. You should schedule your kitten vaccinations as soon as you get your new kitten. Regardless of the age, your new kitten should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. It is important to get a preventive health care plan in place including vaccinations, de worming and flea control.

In addition, we will spend time discussing behavioral training to make sure your kitten develops good behaviors and becomes a great pet. Plan on spending at least thirty minutes at your first visit. This is a great time to get all your questions answered on kitten care and discuss the recommended preventive program with our veterinary team.

An adult cat vaccination schedule, which includes periodic booster immunizations, will be scheduled one year after the kitten vaccination schedule has been completed. As with any other immunization protocol, a cat vaccination schedule should be followed with little to no inconsistency, in order to ensure your cat remains healthy and well for the duration of his or her life.

We cannot control all health issues but we can prevent the majority of infectious disease with the proper vaccine schedule.