Do Kittens Really Need Vaccines
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.
Do kittens really need vaccines. To help protect kittens they ll need two sets of vaccinations to get them started. Vaccines are an important part of keeping your cat healthy. But vaccination can help keep it under control. According to the american association of feline practitioners aafp the core vaccines those that are recommended for all cats are feline panleukopenia virus fpv feline herpesvirus 1 fhv 1 and feline calicivirus fcv as well as rabies.
By getting them vaccinated you are reducing the risk of them falling seriously ill. I recommend starting vaccinations at about 8 weeks of age continuing until the kitten is 4 months old. Kittens should start getting vaccinations when they are 6 to 8 weeks old until they are about 16 weeks old. This is known as the primary course.
Why does my cat need vaccinations. Veterinarians have suspected for years that annual vaccinations for cats and dogs aren t necessary but large well controlled studies just didn t exist to prove it one way or the other. The disease can flare up especially in cats without up to date vaccinations causing respiratory infections and eye problems if an animal is stressed or sick. In the uk cats and kittens should be protected against feline enteritis and cat flu and also inoculated against feline leukaemia if they go outside or if they themselves stay in the home but live with other cats who do go outside.
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. Vaccination doesn tannihilatethe virus feline herpesvirus is the gift that keeps on giving. The aafp advisory panel recommends administering felv vaccines to all kittens but considers the vaccine to be noncore for cats after their one year booster unless they are at risk of exposure.
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. Some diseases pose a major risk to cats and kittens and can even kill but thankfully vaccinations can reduce the risk. They will have an initial injection and then a second about 3 weeks later as well as a thorough health check and discussion about all aspects of kitten care including neutering flea and worm protection diet and behaviour. Don t assume that your cat doesn t need at least some vaccines just because he doesn t go outside.
Then they must be boostered a year latyer. Unfortunately it s a common misconception that indoor cats don t need to be vaccinated because they won t encounter other cats or disease carrying animals.