What Is The Best Vaccination Schedule
Kittens surely have a course of three vaccinations, normally given 4 weeks apart:
- 6 8 Weeks First Vaccination Temporary
- 10 12 Weeks Booster Vaccination
- 14 16 Weeks Final Vaccination
Adult cats require an annual vaccination booster for life. Your vet clinic will send you a reminder a few weeks before your cat is due for their yearly booster.
How Often Do My Kittens Need A Vaccine
It is recommended that kittens receive the core FVRCP vaccine at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age. The reason the vaccines are repeated is to boost the immune response. Ideally, the final vaccine is given around or after 16 weeks, to ensure that the maternal antibodies have left the system. Rabies can be given after 12 weeks of age and is usually given at the 16-week vaccine appointment.
The Problem With Titers
Typically, vaccines are given every year. With titers, there is no way to predict what the levels will be in three to six months, even if they tested high at the time of the titer testing. Many factors can affect the immune system and its level of resistance. Factors such as disease, stress, or medications can impact it, and therefore there is no consistency over time regarding what the antibody levels could be. This could put your cat at risk until you go in for another titer test.
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How Do I Prevent Fleas On My Kitten
No matter where you live, fleas may be a threat to your kitten and to your household. Fleas spend a short time on your kitten and then venture out into your home. Adult fleas feed on the cats blood, then hop off their host to lay eggs in the environment. Eggs hatch and the emerging larvae live and feed in your home. Larvae mature into pupae which lie dormant in your carpets, furniture, and floorboards. The pupae eventually hatch into adult fleas. The entire flea life cycle can take as little as 3-4 weeks under ideal conditions in unfavorable conditions, the cycle can take as long as a year. Therefore, it is important to kill fleas on your new kitten before they can become established in your home.
“Many of the flea control products that are safe on dogs are dangerous for kittens.”
Many of the flea control products that are safe on dogs are dangerous for kittens, so consult your veterinarian before choosing a flea control product. There are many safe oral and topical medications that control fleas, treat intestinal worms, and prevent heartworms all at the same time. These products are administered once a month, even in young kittens, and will protect both your cat and your home from fleas. Newer flea prevention products last 3-8 months. For more information on flea control, see the handout Flea Control in Cats.
Are Cat Vaccinations Required By Law
Rabies is the only cat vaccination required by law in the state of NY. This is due primarily to the threat rabies poses to human beings, and the speed at which rabies can spread. Although other cat and kitten vaccinations are not legally required by law, they are important because they protect your cat from serious disease.
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Viral Testing Fiv And Felv
Feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus are two viruses that can be spread to kittens from their mother, their littermates, or any other cats through bite wounds, secretions, or prolonged close contact. Kittens are at a much higher risk of contracting these viruses than adult cats. Both of these viruses can result in immunosuppression of the kitten which can lead to death.
Because of the high risk of transmission in kittens and the potential poor outcomes of these infections, viral testing is recommended to detect any underlying infections. The testing is done on a small blood sample collected from the kitten. The test is usually conducted after 6 months of age, as maternal antibodies can impact the test results and can result in a false positive test if done prior to 6 months.
Is My Kitten Protected After Their First Round Of Shots
Until they have received all of their vaccinations , your kitten will not be fully vaccinated. Once all of their initial vaccinations have been completed, your kitten will be protected against the diseases or conditions covered by the vaccines.
If youd like to allow your kitten outdoors before they have been vaccinated against all the diseases listed above, we recommend keeping them restricted to low-risk areas, like your own backyard.
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Are There Any Risks Associated With Cat Vaccinations
Any living being can have an allergic or adverse reaction to vaccines, but this is very rare. Cats usually tolerate vaccines very well. After their shots, the veterinarian and his team will then provide information on the normal and undesirable side effects your pet might experience after being vaccinated.
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Last updated: May 30, 2021
Dear Clients,
With recent changes to restrictions on businesses, we are pleased to advise that effective May 19, 2020 the restrictions on veterinary practices have been lifted. Based on these changes, below are some important updates to our operating policies.
1. WE CAN NOW SEE ALL CASES BY APPOINTMENT ONLY This includes vaccines, wellness exams, blood work, spays and neuters, dental services, and more!
2. SAFETY MEASURES TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE
Recommended Core Vaccine Schedule For Kittens
Theres not a universal vaccine schedule for all cats
Most kittens start vaccinations at about 8 weeks of age, Dr. Eldredge said. Rabies vaccination date is generally set by your state.
And your kitten can get the FVRCP vaccine as early as 6 weeks old, so if you want to stagger his shots, you can.
Heres an example of a kittens core vaccine schedule, according to the American Animal Hospital Association :
- 6 weeks old: FVRCP vaccine
- 8 weeks old: FeLV vaccine
- Varies by state: Rabies
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What Happens If You Don’t Vaccinate Your Kitten
Cats can develop a number of illnesses if they don’t have their shots, but feline leukemia is one of the worst. This illness is a top cause of feline death with a fatality rate of nearly 90%. Feline immunodeficiency virus, also known as cat AIDS, is a serious, lifelong illness transmitted by unvaccinated cats.
Kitten Vaccination Schedule: A Guide For New Cat Owners
Reviewed by Dr. Sarah Wooten, DVM.
Congratulations on your new kitten! All of the snuggles, playtime, and endless joys of having a feline friend in your life are finally here.
As you cross off items on your new kitten checklist, one of the most important things you can do for your new family member is to take them to the veterinarian for their kitten examinations and vaccinations.
Vaccinations are essential for protecting your kitten from certain illnesses and preventing the spread of disease. In this article, well walk you through kitten vaccine basics, tell you what to expect at your first check-up, and give you a sample cat vaccination schedule to follow.
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I Plan On Letting My Kitten Go Outside When They Grow Up What Vaccines Do Outdoor Cats Need
In addition to their core/mandatory vaccines, the most common type of vaccine recommended for outdoor cats is the one that protects against Feline Leukemia which is usually given when your cat is between 3- to 4-months-old. All cats are required to get the FeLV vaccine when they are kittens but it is commonly recommended that outdoor cats receive them once a year all throughout their lives. Feline leukemia is fatal and can be spread through small droplets of blood and saliva. Outdoor cats may also need more frequent deworming and parasite screenings compared with their indoor pals.
Please Note: Indoor cats still need to be vaccinated because parasites and diseases can enter your home through you, other people, objects and animals.
Core Vaccines For Cats
Core vaccines are vaccines that all cats should get.
The basic core starts with vaccination for calicivirus , herpes virus and panleukopenia , Dr. Eldredge told The Dodo. Feline leukemia and rabies are also considered to be core vaccines for most cats.
Herpes virus , calicivirus and panleukopenia are all covered in one combination vaccine called the FVRCP vaccine, while the vaccines for feline leukemia and rabies are administered individually.
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Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis Calicivirus And Panleukopenia
This is a combination vaccine for the three viruses, and it is often referred to as a distemper shot for cats.
Kitten Schedule
The vaccine is first given between 6 and 8 weeks of age. It is then boostered every 3 to 4 weeks until 16 to 18 weeks of age.
This vaccine used to be repeated 1 year later. However, due to the current recommendation of WSAVA, it is recommended to repeat this vaccine at 6 months of age. This is due to the fact that one third of kittens have mother-derived antibodies up until 20 weeks of age. Therefore, the immunity from the vaccine is blocked by the presence of the mother’s immunity if not given after that point. The vaccine is then administered every 3 years after that.
Adult Cat Schedule
For cats receiving this “distemper” vaccine combination, as non-kittens, a series of two vaccines is given and then boostered a year later. They will then receive a booster every 3 years.
When Can You Vaccinate A Kitten
According to the VCA Hospitals, kittens have passive immunity from antibody absorption from their mother through the intestine for 24 to 48 hours after birth. This protects them against disease during the first few weeks of life but they need to build longer-lasting active immunity in order to remain protected against these diseases. Vaccines promote active immunity, but they must be given at the correct time.
Because it’s impossible to predict when a kitten will lose its short-term immunity, a series of vaccines spaced at regular intervals boost the cat’s chances of developing active immunity. The aim is to administer at least two vaccines during the critical window after the kitten loses maternal immunity before exposure to infectious disease.
Kittens need vaccine boosters every one to three years to maintain active, long-lasting immunity.
Talk to your veterinarian about your kittens lifestyle and discuss their kitten vaccination schedule to determine whats best for your pet.
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What Should You Do If You Miss Your Cat’s Scheduled Vaccines
It is always recommended to follow the vaccine booster schedule to provide the best possible protection for your cat.
If your kitten is 2 or more weeks late for their booster vaccine, their immune system may not be active any longer. When this happens, they mount less of an immune response to the following vaccine. Your veterinarian will need to decide, based on how delayed the booster was, what steps will be needed to best protect your cat. Often, if the booster is delayed more than 3 to 4 weeks, a series of two vaccines will be given about 3 weeks apart in order to fully boost your cats immune system.
For adult cats that are just starting a series of vaccines they would need to have the series started over if there is a lapse of 6 weeks between vaccinations.
For annual booster vaccinations, if the vaccine is delayed more than 2 years past the recommended booster schedule, they will need to receive a series of 2 vaccines about 3 weeks apart.
Be sure to speak to your veterinarian as to the vaccine manufacturer’s recommendations with regards to vaccine boosters.
NOTE: This does not apply to Rabies. This is a single-shot vaccination. By not keeping this vaccination current, it can result in quarantine of your cat if they are exposed to a potentially rabid animal.
How Do Vaccines Work
Vaccines or vaccinations work by stimulating the animals immune system, so that their bodies natural defences are prepared and fully equipped with antibodies to fight against any diseases. Unfortunately if your cat is not properly vaccinated, their bodies immune system will not be armed to fight off any virus or bacterial infection.
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Risks Of Vaccines For Kittens
Although there are some risks when vaccinating your kitten, theyre very minor. Similar to humans, kittens who receive vaccines may experience some initial side effects, such as a low fever, decreased appetite, localized swelling, or tiredness.
These symptoms, however, usually start shortly after the vaccine and last only a few days. If your kitten continues to experience side effects, contact your veterinarian.
Some kittens may experience an allergic reaction to a vaccine. An allergic reaction can cause itchiness, hives, and swelling of the face, so if you see any of these symptoms, youll want to take your cat to the vet immediately, and reconsider vaccinating your kitty in the future.
Finally, in other rare situations, cats can develop feline injection-site sarcomas, or FISS. This type of malignant cancer is thought to be caused by persistent swelling from the spot where a cat was vaccinated, and has been associated with the FeLV vaccine and rarely, the rabies vaccine FISS tumors are aggressive and invade surrounding tissues, and can require surgery and radiation for treatment.
Overall, veterinarians and feline medical organizations like the AAHA and AAFP agree that the incidence of negative side effects as a whole is low, and the benefits of core kitten vaccines outweigh the risks.
When Should Kittens Get Their First Vaccination Shots
Vaccines begin at the age of 8 weeks of age. This age is because, before 8 weeks, the kitten still has antibodies in their system they receive from their mother to develop their immune system. If vaccinated too early, these antibodies will destroy the vaccine. If vaccinated too late, a mothers antibodies may have dropped to a level that no longer protects your kitten from a disease. Occasionally, in outbreak situations, kittens may be vaccinated at an earlier age.
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When Are Kitten Shots Given
Did you know a kitten’s disease-fighting ability begins with a healthy mother cat? According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals , kittens take in disease-fighting antibodies from the mother cat’s milk when they nurse. Most kittens are weaned by around 8 weeks and receive their first vaccinations around the age of 6 to 8 weeks. Boosters will continue to be given every three to four weeks until the kitten reaches 16 weeks old or until the full series of vaccinations are complete.
If you adopt a cat older than that, your vet will help you identify what vaccines are recommended, what age you should begin with the shots and how long they’ll need to be given.
What Shots Do Kittens Need And When
Kittens need vaccination to stay healthy once they no longer have their mothers immunity to protect them against infectious diseases. Generally, there are two types of kitten shots:
- Core vaccines are essential shots required for all kittens and mature cats to defend against prevalent and/or harmful diseases.
- Non-core vaccines aren’t always necessary for all pet cats. Vets recommend these specific immunizations for cats at greater risk of illness. Non-core vaccines require an assessment of your cat’s lifestyle and location to determine the present level of risk for infection.
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How Often Does My Kitten Need To Be Vaccinated
Your young kitten has an immature immune system and needs a series of vaccinations to build up an adequate immune response. Usually the first vaccine is administered when they are between 6 and 8 weeks old. We then recommend a series of vaccinations every 4 weeks until the kitten is 16 weeks of age, to ensure adequate immunization.
How Often Do My Kittens Need Vaccines
We continue the FVRCP booster series at 12 weeks and 16 weeks of age. The FVRCP vaccine protects your kitty against the feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia. Finally, at 16 weeks, we also administer the rabies vaccine. FVRCP and rabies are considered core vaccines. Core vaccines are recommended for all cats, either because the disease the vaccine protects against is extremely severe and/or is especially common, or the disease is a threat to humans.
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What Are Ear Mites
Ear mites are tiny parasites that live in the ear canal of cats where they cause itching. The most common sign of ear mite infection is vigorous and persistent scratching of the ears or shaking of the head. Sometimes the outer ear canal will appear dirty and contain black debris.
Your veterinarian will examine the ear canal with an otoscope that magnifies the tiny mites, or will take a small sample of the black debris and examine it under a microscope. Although the mites may crawl out of the ear canals for short periods, they spend the majority of their lives within the protection of the ear canal.
Ear mites are easily transmitted between cats and dogs by direct contact. Kittens will usually become infected if their mother has ear mites. If one pet in the household has ear mites, it is advised to treat all of your pets. Successive applications of topical medication to the kittens ear or skin will eliminate ear mites .