Vaccinations and the Health of Your Cat
Feline Vaccinations
Vaccinations are one of the best ways to protect your cat from serious infectious diseases. Vaccines work by safely stimulating your cat's immune system to produce protective antibodies. If your cat is later exposed to a disease, their immune system is prepared to fight the infection or reduce the severity of illness.
Every cat has different vaccination needs based on age, health, lifestyle, and risk of exposure. Our veterinarians will recommend a vaccination schedule tailored specifically to your cat.
Why Does My Cat Need Vaccines?
Vaccines protect against diseases that can cause severe illness or even death. They also help protect people from zoonotic diseases such as rabies.
Even indoor cats should remain up to date on their vaccinations. Cats can still be exposed to disease through travel, boarding, new pets in the household, wildlife such as bats, or viruses carried into the home on clothing or other objects.
Kitten Vaccinations
Kittens receive temporary immunity from their mother's antibodies, but this protection gradually fades during the first few months of life. Because these maternal antibodies can also interfere with vaccination, kittens require a series of vaccines to ensure they develop lasting immunity.
Vaccinations typically begin at 6–8 weeks of age and continue every 3–4 weeks until at least 16 weeks of age. Completing the full vaccine series is essential for proper protection.
Booster Vaccinations
After the kitten series, booster vaccines are needed to maintain protection. The timing of boosters depends on:
Rabies
Rabies vaccination is required by New York State law, and we will recommend the appropriate booster schedule based on your cat's individual needs.
Vaccine Reactions
Most cats experience no side effects after vaccination. Mild reactions such as soreness, tiredness, a mild fever, or decreased appetite for 24–48 hours are normal.
Contact us immediately if your cat develops:
Core Vaccines
FVRCP (Feline Distemper Combination Vaccine)FVRCP is the core vaccine recommended for all cats. It protects against three highly contagious diseases:
Lifestyle Vaccine
Feline Leukemia (FeLV)Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is a contagious viral disease spread primarily through close contact with infected cats, including grooming, shared food and water bowls, and from mother to kittens.
Although FeLV is considered a lifestyle (non-core) vaccine, it is recommended for all kittens and young cats, and for any cat that goes outdoors or may have contact with cats of unknown FeLV status. Cats should be tested for FeLV before their initial vaccination.
What About Titer Testing?
Some owners ask about antibody (titer) testing instead of routine vaccination. Titers are not recommended as a reliable replacement for all vaccines. www.aaha.org/aaha-guidelines/2022-aaha-canine-vaccination-guidelines/utilization-and-interpretation-of-serologic-titers/
Vaccinations are one of the best ways to protect your cat from serious infectious diseases. Vaccines work by safely stimulating your cat's immune system to produce protective antibodies. If your cat is later exposed to a disease, their immune system is prepared to fight the infection or reduce the severity of illness.
Every cat has different vaccination needs based on age, health, lifestyle, and risk of exposure. Our veterinarians will recommend a vaccination schedule tailored specifically to your cat.
Why Does My Cat Need Vaccines?
Vaccines protect against diseases that can cause severe illness or even death. They also help protect people from zoonotic diseases such as rabies.
Even indoor cats should remain up to date on their vaccinations. Cats can still be exposed to disease through travel, boarding, new pets in the household, wildlife such as bats, or viruses carried into the home on clothing or other objects.
Kitten Vaccinations
Kittens receive temporary immunity from their mother's antibodies, but this protection gradually fades during the first few months of life. Because these maternal antibodies can also interfere with vaccination, kittens require a series of vaccines to ensure they develop lasting immunity.
Vaccinations typically begin at 6–8 weeks of age and continue every 3–4 weeks until at least 16 weeks of age. Completing the full vaccine series is essential for proper protection.
Booster Vaccinations
After the kitten series, booster vaccines are needed to maintain protection. The timing of boosters depends on:
- Your cat's age
- Overall health
- Indoor or outdoor lifestyle
- Risk of exposure
- The specific vaccine
Rabies
Rabies vaccination is required by New York State law, and we will recommend the appropriate booster schedule based on your cat's individual needs.
Vaccine Reactions
Most cats experience no side effects after vaccination. Mild reactions such as soreness, tiredness, a mild fever, or decreased appetite for 24–48 hours are normal.
Contact us immediately if your cat develops:
- Facial swelling
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing
- Collapse
- Persistent lethargy or signs lasting more than 48 hours
Core Vaccines
FVRCP (Feline Distemper Combination Vaccine)FVRCP is the core vaccine recommended for all cats. It protects against three highly contagious diseases:
- Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR): A herpesvirus that causes upper respiratory disease and can lead to chronic eye and respiratory problems.
- Calicivirus (C): A common respiratory virus that ranges from mild illness to severe pneumonia.
- Panleukopenia (P): Also called feline distemper, this highly contagious parvovirus causes severe gastrointestinal disease and is often fatal in young kittens.
Lifestyle Vaccine
Feline Leukemia (FeLV)Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is a contagious viral disease spread primarily through close contact with infected cats, including grooming, shared food and water bowls, and from mother to kittens.
Although FeLV is considered a lifestyle (non-core) vaccine, it is recommended for all kittens and young cats, and for any cat that goes outdoors or may have contact with cats of unknown FeLV status. Cats should be tested for FeLV before their initial vaccination.
What About Titer Testing?
Some owners ask about antibody (titer) testing instead of routine vaccination. Titers are not recommended as a reliable replacement for all vaccines. www.aaha.org/aaha-guidelines/2022-aaha-canine-vaccination-guidelines/utilization-and-interpretation-of-serologic-titers/
Office HoursMonday - Friday 8:00am- 5:00pm
By appointment only Saturday & Sunday: Closed CLOSED for most Federal Holidays
|
|
