Do Kittens Need Booster Shots

Information on feline calcivirus.

Do kittens need booster shots. After that booster these vaccines are generally boostered every one to three years based on the specific vaccine used and the lifestyle of the cat. Kittens should have their first set of vaccinations at nine weeks old and at three months old they should receive the second set to boost their immune system. True immunity is uncertain until about 16 to 18 weeks of age or until all kitten boosters are completed. Two vaccines are usually needed three to four weeks apart.

Consult your veterinarian for advice about the proper vaccination schedule for your cat. Kittens should start getting vaccinations when they are 6 to 8 weeks old until they are about 16 weeks old. Remember your kitten won t be fully protected until several weeks after their second set of jabs so it s best to keep them indoors and away from any unvaccinated pets until your vet says they re safe to mingle with other cats and go outside. Currently the american association of feline practitioners aafp vaccination guidelines recommend that low risk adult cats that received the full booster series of vaccines as kittens can be vaccinated every three years for the core vaccines feline viral rhinotracheitis feline calicivirus feline panleukopenia and rabies and then as determined by your veterinarian for any non core vaccines such as feline infectious peritonitis fip chlamydia or bordetella.

These vaccinations are given to kittens in a series a few weeks apart usually at six nine and twelve weeks followed by booster shots at one year. To achieve the best protection possible your kitten will need boosters over the first several months of their life at least until they are between 16 20 weeks old. To help protect kittens they ll need two sets of vaccinations to get them started. Non core vaccines are boostered annually but only for those cats at risk for the particular disease.

There is no way to be certain if a kitten still has maternal antibodies so boosters are necessary. However individual cats differ as do different brands of vaccines in terms of potency. Too late and kittens will be left susceptible to infection. Boosters for core vaccines revised thinking holds that cats should receive booster shots every three years for feline panleukopenia feline rhinotracheitis and feline calicivirus.

Feline calicivirus feline distemper and feline herpes are the core feline vaccinations. A booster vaccine should be given one year later to keep immunity levels high. First year kitten shots many of your kitten s initial shots will be given as a series of boosters every 3 4 weeks. After this one year booster the booster shots are given every three years.

Avoid exposing your kitten to unknown animals until all vaccinations have been given. Kittens can start their vaccinations from nine weeks old and will need a second set of injections usually 2 4 weeks after their initial set to complete their course. The shots come in a series every 3 to 4. Giving vaccines twice ensures a satisfactory level of immunity.

After this kittens and cats usually need booster vaccinations every twelve months. Until your kitten is fully vaccinated and neutered you should keep him or her inside. Types of vaccines for kittens.