Vaccinations for Kittens

Congratulations on welcoming a new kitten into your home! It’s a wonderful time and as pet parents ourselves, we know how much you have to do in order to set up everything that your new companion needs. In addition to the appropriate pet food, gear, treats and more, vaccines are an integral part of your cat’s healthcare. Vaccines will help your feline friend live a long and healthy life. Each year, during your cat’s physical exam, vaccines will be administered to ensure that their immune system is strong enough to fight certain viruses. Vaccines prevent illnesses by producing an immune response should your pet come in contact with a disease. If your pet is not protected by these vaccines, and does come in contact with various viruses, they can become very sick. If you have any questions about your pet’s vaccines or any other aspect of their health, please do not hesitate to call our team.

Do indoor cats need to be vaccinated?

Yes. During your feline friend’s annual examination, our veterinarians will discuss vaccines and may recommend for indoor cats to be vaccinated with the core vaccine, as you never know if he/she may possibly get out. It is good to know, even if they do, they are protected from some of the diseases they may come into contact with out there. Plus, even if your cat never goes outside, they can still be exposed to harmful diseases that you, other people or other animals bring inside your home.

What are core vaccines and non-core vaccines?

Core vaccines are a group of vaccines that all cats need. Non-core vaccines can be prescribed or recommended by your veterinarian depending on your cat’s specific needs and lifestyle. The core vaccines for a cat are FVRCP which is a combination vaccine that protects cats from three viruses which are rhinotracheitis (upper respiratory disease), calicivirus and panleukopenia (a severe disease of the gastrointestinal tract, immune system, and nervous system).The other core vaccine for cats is a rabies vaccine. Another vaccine that our veterinarians may discuss for your cat is for feline leukemia virus (FeLV).

Vaccinations for Cats

Please know that once your kitten has grown into an adult cat, they still need to continue receiving regular vaccination shots and boosters, so that their immunity can remain strong against several kinds of diseases and infections that they may be exposed to.

How often do cats need to be vaccinated?

Here at AMC, we recommend yearly annual wellness exams by our veterinarians to assess your cat’s overall health and make sure that they stay up to date on their vaccinations. Some vaccines need to be taken once per year, while others need to be taken once every three years.

Are there any risks or side effects to vaccines for cats?

As with any vaccinations or treatments, there are some risk of reactions. That being said, most of the side effects associated with feline vaccines are rare and minor. Most cats do not display any kind of reaction at all. On occasion, some patients may experience slight swelling or redness near the injection site, vomiting and diarrhea. Again, we want to stress that vaccines are the best way to protect your cat from potentially deadly diseases and our veterinarians will discuss any risks and answer any questions you may have before giving the vaccines to your cherished pet.