Kittens are just as susceptible to illnesses as our human babies are and vaccines are the best way to protect them! If you have recently adopted a little ball of fur, check out this list of important vaccinations every cat should have.
1) FVRCP vaccine: This multi-faceted vaccine protects against several different feline diseases including feline herpes, an upper respiratory infection called calicivirus, and feline distemper. Feline distemper is a highly contagious and life-threatening viral disease. It affects the rapidly dividing blood cells in the body, primarily the cells in the intestinal tract, bone marrow, and in the stem cells of the developing fetus. Every cat should have this vaccine at about 6-8 weeks of age and the vaccine will need to be repeated every 3-4 weeks until he or she is about 16 weeks old. This vaccination will need to be boostered annual; once your cat is 3 years old, this vaccine will only need boostered every 3 years.
Feline distemper is often not caught in time! Early on, the symptoms can mimic other illnesses; Marye Audit writes about the most common symptoms here: http://cats.lovetoknow.com/Cat_Distemper_Symptoms
2) Feline Leukemia vaccine: This viral disease commonly causes anemia, compromised immune systems, and is the number one cause of cancer in cats. Recommended to get when the cat is 10-12 weeks old, this vaccine is at your veterinarian’s discretion. Your kitten will also need a second vaccination 3-4 weeks after the initial vaccine and then annually for the rest of his or her life.
Check out this article for more information on feline Leukemia: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/36/2_Part_2/582
3) Rabies: This scary disease is an inflammatory infection that specifically affects the gray matter of the cat’s brain and its central nervous system. Felines should be vaccinated anywhere between 12-16 weeks of age and then annually as adults. Rabies can be transmitted to humans and it is required that your cat be vaccinated against Rabies in Cuyahoga County.
Emerald Animal Hospital offers a number of vaccinations including:
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis Calicivirus Infection Panleukopenia (FVRCP), Rabies, and Feline Leukemia for cats as well as dewormers, flea and heartworm prevention, and even surgery.
Call us at 216-749-7161 or shoot us an email at contactus@emeraldanimalhospital.com to set up your kitten’s first appointment today!