Kitten Vaccination Guide

Vaccinations play a vital role in keeping your cat fit and healthy. They protect your feline friend from picking up awful diseases, some of which can be fatal if left untreated. The main reasons you should get your cat vaccinated include:

●      Giving them protection against potentially fatal diseases

●      Preventing the spread of certain diseases between cats

●      Stopping vulnerable cats from getting seriously sick

●      Catteries and cat sitters usually require proof of full vaccinations

●      Insurance companies also often require cats to be fully up to date with vaccines

Your little bundle of joy will require two lots of vaccinations initially to make up their primary course. The first vaccination is done when your kitty cat is around eight to nine weeks old. They have a second booster vaccination three weeks later.

Adult cats need a booster vaccination once a year for every year of their life to keep their immunity topped up. This is so that they have full protection against the diseases.

If you’re not sure of the vaccination history of your adult cat, or if they haven't been vaccinated for over twelve months, they’ll need to restart their vaccination course by having a primary and secondary injection just as a kitten would.

Your vet will perform a top to tail health check to make sure your furry friend has a clean bill of health. They will discuss any concerns or queries you have. They will go over all the different aspects of cat care and advise you on neutering your cat, diet, daily routine, flea and worm treatment, and anything else you want to discuss. These appointments are so much more than just a vaccination so make the most of them!

It is vital you attend your vaccination appointment every year. Each year the vaccination may vary slightly as not all of the vaccines are given yearly. Some immunity lasts longer than others so some are not needed as frequently. Some vaccinations will depend on what sort of lifestyle your cat leads too.

 Your vet will know what to give and when. It’s super important to note that until your cat is fully vaccinated and neutered, they should be kept inside at all times.

 ●      Feline infectious Enteritis (also known as Feline Parvovirus/Feline Panleukopenia Virus

This is a highly contagious virus. It causes your cat to have an upset stomach and they can become very sick with severe diarrhea and vomiting. It’s spread mainly by direct contact with other cat faeces.

●      Feline Leukemia Virus

This is a virus that attacks your cat's immune system therefore making them more susceptible to infections. It’s easily passed from cat to cat. It can be a debilitating disease for our cats.

●      Cat Flu (Feline Herpes Virus and Feline Calicivirus)

Feline Herpes Virus and Feline Calicivirus are both highly contagious. They are usually spread by close contact with bodily fluids. The viruses are really good at surviving in the environment for long periods of time.

There are also vaccinations available against:

●      Chlamydophila felis – this is a bacteria that can cause clinical signs of cat flu and severe eye infections. It can persist for several weeks and can be particularly nasty. The infection can be treated with antibiotics. Vaccination is only advised if your cat has an ongoing issue with the bacteria. It’s given to cats that are thought to be high-risk. The vaccination gives protection against severe clinical disease but does not mean your cat will be fully protected against the infection.

●      Rabies – All cats that travel abroad will require a rabies vaccination. Rabies is not present in the UK currently but any cats travelling outside of the UK or coming into the UK for the first time need to be vaccinated against rabies.

Your vet will be able to discuss which vaccinations they require depending on their health status, lifestyle, and travel plans.

Different practices charge different amounts. Geographic location affects costs as well. It’s not possible to state the costs of vaccinations as each practice will charge slightly different amounts for each type of vaccine. The best thing to do is to ring your practice and ask them for a quote to allow you to budget for your cat’s vaccinations.

Cat vaccinations are vital to keep our furry friends healthy. They provide valuable protection against nasty diseases and prevent the spread of these diseases through our cat population. Annual vaccination appointments are also a great opportunity for your vet to examine your cat from nose to tail and make sure they are thriving as they should be and that there aren’t any health issues developing.