When to vaccinate kittens

What vaccinations are given to kittens

Most cat owners are concerned about the question: what vaccinations to do to a kitten and whether they are mandatory.

All feline infections are extremely dangerous and hard to tolerate by animals. In 70% of cases, a fatal outcome occurs, so it is necessary to vaccinate a crumb. Moreover, no one knows what the fate of the animal will be. Perhaps one day a pet will break out into the street and come into contact with a sick representative of the fauna world.

According to the vaccination schedule, small representatives of the feline family are vaccinated against diseases that pose a serious threat to life and health.

• Leptospirosis. A dangerous infectious disease that threatens a rat catcher or mouser, since rodents are the carriers of this infection. This disease is worth paying attention to the owners, whose pets like to walk by themselves. Basically, cats carry the infection latently (covertly), so veterinarians detect the disease already at the last stage. The main signs of infection are internal and external hemorrhages (nasal / ocular), fever.
• Important: leptospirosis is transmitted to humans.
• Herpesvirosis. A viral infection transmitted by airborne droplets. In the people, the disease is also called rhinotracheitis. Basically, kittens suffer from herpesvirosis up to 7 months. The disease manifests itself in the form of conjunctivitis and catarrhal lesions of the upper respiratory tract.
• Calicivirosis. Similar to the previous disease that affects young cats and cats. Respiratory organs suffer from it. As symptoms, ulcers appear in the oral cavity, increased separation of mucus in the nose, lacrimation.
• Panleukopenia (plague). Kittens are more likely to suffer from this disease more often than cats. The infection is transmitted through direct contact with infected excrement or street shoes of the owners who have been in plague-infected faeces/soil.

Additionally, cats are vaccinated against chlamydia and leukemia, if it is assumed that the animal will participate in exhibitions, spend some time on the street, contact their feline companions.

When to vaccinate kittens

According to the veterinary schedule, kittens are vaccinated in a certain sequence.

• Age from 8 weeks – mandatory vaccination against calicivirus, herpesvirus and panleukopenia.
• After 4 weeks from the first vaccination or at 12 weeks – repeated vaccination is carried out plus the kitten is vaccinated against rabies.
• Further, revaccination from all viruses is carried out annually.

Vaccination schedule

What to do if the vaccination schedule is broken

It happens that the vaccination schedule is severely disrupted or even unknown. This happens if the kitten was picked up on the street, but it looks like it is home, as can be judged by the presence of a collar, or if the owners simply missed the moment of re-vaccination for their pet. Here you should consult with the attending veterinarian. The doctor will tell you how best to act in each case. Sometimes you just need a complete repeat of the vaccination schedule for kittens, and in some situations, the doctor can make an individual decision after examining the animal.

Types of feline vaccines

The following vaccines are most often used for vaccinating kittens:

• Nobivak Forcat. Multicomponent vaccine that stimulates kittens' immunity to calicivirosis, panleukopenia, rhinotoacheitis and chlamydia;
• Nobivak Tricat. Triple-acting vaccine against calicivirus infection, rhinotracheitis and panleukopenia. The first vaccination of kittens is done at the age of 8 weeks. Revaccination (repeat vaccination) should be carried out annually;
• Nobivac Tricat. It also protects the little fuzzy from the listed four main diseases. The first vaccination of a kitten can be done at the age of 12 weeks;
• Nobivak Rabies. This type of vaccine for kittens only protects against rabies. Persistent immunity in the animal is developed for 21 days after vaccination. Revaccination should be carried out annually. It is permissible to mix Nobivac Rabies with other types of Nobivac vaccines;
• FORT DODGE FEL-O-WAX IV. This is a polyvalent vaccine – for several infections. Is inactivated. Protects the cat immediately from rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, calicivirosis and chlamydia. It is allowed for use in kittens aged from 8 weeks. Revaccination is carried out once a year;
• Purevax RCP. A multicomponent vaccine, which included strains of rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia and calicivirosis.
• Purevax RCPCh. It contains weakened strains of the viruses listed above. Vaccination is given at the age of 8 weeks. Repeat a month later. In the future, revaccination is shown once a year.
• Leucorifelin. Protects the animal from viral virosis and panleukopenia. It is forbidden to administer Leukorifelin with other vaccines;
• Quadricat. Vaccination for kittens against panleukopenia, rabies and calicivirosis. The kitten's immunity is formed after 2-3 weeks. Repeated vaccination is carried out every year;
• Rabizin. This drug is only for rabies. Unlike other types of vaccines, Rabizin can be administered even to pregnant cats;
• Leukocele 2. Vaccine against leukemia in cats. They vaccinate twice. Then revaccination is carried out once a year. Kittens are vaccinated at the age of 9 weeks;
• Felocel CVR. The drug stimulates the development of immunity against rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia and calicivirus. The vaccine has the appearance of a porous mass of pale yellow color. Before use, it is diluted with a special solvent;
• Microderm. The vaccine allows you to protect the animal from dermatophytosis (lichen, etc.).

Important: it is worth remembering that young cats up to 3 years old, as well as old and weakened animals are always at risk.

Possible complications after vaccination in a kitten

Each animal's body reacts differently to the vaccine. Some pets may develop the following side effects:

• apathy and decreased appetite;
• refusal of water and even your favorite food;
• increased drowsiness;
• swelling and compaction at the injection site;
• increase in body temperature;
• convulsive states;
• pleurisy and encephalitis;
• pain at the injection site;
• change in coat color at the injection site and even hair loss;
• some changes in behavior.

Important: in very rare cases, the kitten's body does not develop immunity to infections and viruses even after vaccination, but this is an individual feature of the animal.

As a rule, all non-dangerous side effects go away by themselves 1-4 days after vaccination or require symptomatic treatment. For example, allergic reactions are eliminated by antihistamines. In any case, if side effects occur, you should contact your doctor for advice.

Rules of vaccination of kittens

In order for the procedure of vaccinating a kitten to go right, you should follow the recommendations.

• Vaccination is not done for kittens younger than 8 weeks.
• Vaccinate only a completely healthy animal without obvious signs of illness, and it is forbidden to vaccinate a cat if there is a suspicion that he was in contact with a sick animal. The best solution would be to wait out a couple of weeks.
• Before the vaccination, the veterinarian must assess the health of the baby according to several criteria – body temperature, vigor, the condition of the mucous membranes.
• It is forbidden to vaccinate a kitten for three weeks after surgery and for two to three weeks before surgery.
• You can not send a pet for vaccination after treatment with antibiotics. The baby's body is weakened and even microstamps of the pathogen can provoke serious consequences. After antibacterial therapy, it is better to wait a month.
• Before vaccination, three weeks before the procedure, it is necessary to deworm the animal.
• It is forbidden to vaccinate a cat during the change of teeth.
• The kitten should be in a relatively calm state during vaccination. Stress and pulling out of the hands are unacceptable.
• Keep track of the expiration date of the vaccine if you buy it at a veterinary pharmacy. An expired drug will not benefit your pet.

Where is it better to vaccinate a kitten – at home or in a clinic

Each cat owner forms the answer to this question for himself due to financial solvency – someone can afford to invite a veterinarian to the house, and it is easier for someone to take the pet to the clinic. But in any case, only a qualified doctor should put the vaccine.

Advantages of vaccinating a kitten at home:

• you do not transport the animal to the hospital, and as a result, the kitten remains calm at the time of the doctor's visit;
• a veterinarian has the opportunity to assess the true condition of a pet in a familiar environment. When visiting the clinic, the kitten is often nervous, worried, screaming, which interferes with the normal work of the doctor;
• the cat does not come into contact with the street and other furry visitors of the veterinary clinic. Due to this, the risk of catching an infection is significantly reduced;
• you don't waste time on a trip to the hospital.

Advantages of vaccination in the clinic:

• the doctor has at hand all the necessary equipment and tools for a qualitative examination of the animal and vaccination;
• the vaccine is constantly kept in the cold before its use, as required by the rules of use of the drug. The fact is that the vaccine should be stored and moved only in cold conditions. In the case of a home visit, the doctor must bring the drug in a special portable refrigerator;
• if necessary, you can immediately perform any other necessary manipulations in the clinic, without waiting for the moment of visiting the hospital. For example, a veterinarian can identify a tick or other problems in a kitten that require urgent intervention.

And remember that a veterinarian is the first friend and companion for your pet after you. He knows exactly how to help the kitten survive the terrible moment of vaccination. For a baby, getting vaccinated is stressful, and for an experienced doctor it is a standard procedure, so trust your pet in the hands of a professional and constantly take care of his health. Only in such conditions will the kitten grow up healthy and live a long happy life, giving you many bright moments!