Feline vaccination
Feline vaccination...
Cats are exceptional animals. Many cat owners and breeders will tell you that. Pure bred or mixed breed ones – they are all very special. But this uniqueness manifests itself also in their tendency not to show their health problems. We usually notice them at the very last moment, when something is really wrong. That is why you should observe your kitty on a daily basis to learn her/his behaviour and to be able to react as soon as you are alarmed by something unusual.
Diagnosing health problems in cats is not an easy task for veterinary surgeons either. They will often say that e.g. dogs are much more vocal in expressing their health problems, and treating cats is much more difficult. These difficulties show that prevention should become a priority.
Appropriate vaccination programme is essential
The majority of infectious diseases in cats is caused by viruses. Feline leukaemia, rabies, feline immunodeficiency virus, panleukopenia or peritonitis are fatal. No effective medicine has been developed to cure these diseases so far, so preventive vaccination plays a crucial role.
Please note, however, that vaccines can be administered to healthy cats only, as this will ensure their full effectiveness. Before administering a vaccine, the vet should examine the cat and take her/his temperature.
It is also very important to follow the sequence of vaccinations and the vaccine schedule in general, which is prescribed by the producer and designed to protect the animal from feline diseases to the largest possible extent.
The effectiveness of vaccinations can be enhanced by worming your kittens twice, at 4 and 6 weeks, which is very advisable.
First vaccination against panleukopenia, leukaemia and feline influenza is given at 9 weeks of age and should be repeated after 3 weeks. Vaccination against peritonitis is recommended for kittens over 16 weeks, and should be repeated after 3 weeks. A vaccine against rabies should be administered no sooner than at 3 months of age.
Recently, we have been hearing more and more opinions that indoor cats do not need vaccination against rabies. However, if you plan to travel with your kitty, it will most probably be necessary. In many countries, vaccination against rabies is required by law. If you are not sure if that is the case in the country you will be travelling to with your cat, you should always contact your veterinary surgeon, who will provide you with all the necessary information.