Kitten & Cat Vaccines
July 1, 2022 12:00 amIf you own a cat, you should understand the importance of getting your cat vaccines to keep it healthy. However, it is essential that you know exactly the ones that are required at certain ages. You should also familiarize yourself with the way vaccines work to help keep your cat safe.
Cat Vaccinations
Understanding the way cats get sick may be tricky if you are not a trained vet. Diseases are caused by germs or pathogens and can include anything from a virus or bacteria to another microorganism. These make their way into your cat’s body, causing them to become sick. Cat or kitten vaccinations work by introducing a specific type of pathogen to help stimulate your cat’s immune system, resulting in the development of antibodies specific to that pathogen.
Once your cat has been vaccinated, the body will recognize that pathogen during exposures in the future. The immune system will then be more prepared to fight that particular disease much better than it would if your cat hadn’t been vaccinated.
Kitten & Cat Vaccination Schedule
When it comes to getting your kitten or cat vaccinated, you must follow a strict schedule. Many vaccines are more effective at certain ages. Some vaccines must be given within a certain amount of time for them to be effective. The following is a guideline you can use to help keep your kitten or cat on schedule with his or her vaccines:
- 6-7 weeks – FVRCP Combination Vaccine Round 1
- 8 weeks – Fecal Test and Flea/tick control
- 10 weeks – FVRCP Combination Vaccine Round 2
- 12 weeks – Rabies Vaccine
- 13 weeks – FVRCP Combination Vaccine Round 3 & Feline Leukemia Vaccine Round 1
- 16 & 19 weeks – FVRCP Combination Vaccine Round 4 & Feline Leukemia Vaccine Round 2
- Variable timing may also be determined by your vet and local laws, including FVRCP, Rabies, and FeLV
Depending on the lifestyle and location of your kitten or cat, your vet may recommend boosters following the initial series of vaccinations mentioned above.
Additional Cat Health Treatments
Besides just vaccinating your kitten or cat, there are a few other options you may want to give your cat for its overall health. Some additional health treatments you may want to consider or ask your vet about are:
- Deworming – Worms are a common issue for cats. Cats are more likely to suffer from roundworms and tapeworms that can cause damage to their immune systems. One of the best and most accurate ways for your vet to check your cat for intestinal parasites is by conducting a fecal test.
- Flea & Tick prevention – Fleas and ticks are also common parasites that can invade your home by jumping on shoes, clothes, and other pets. This puts your cat at a much higher risk even if they never go outside. You can take preventative measures to help keep these pests away from your cat and prevent an infestation that can become problematic quickly.
Categorised in: Cat Vaccinations
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