What Vaccines Do Kittens Need

This is because the antibodies in the mother s breast milk can interfere with the vaccinations.

What vaccines do kittens need. The initial vaccination series consists of two doses three to four weeks apart followed by revaccination one year later for all pet cats. All kittens need certain core vaccines which provide immunity against the most dangerous and widespread diseases. Core vaccines are considered essential for kittens in most geographical locations. The chlamydia vaccine is not a core kitten shot but your vet might recommend it.

Feline leukemia is a viral disease that can be transferred to. The core vaccines for cats are described in the table below. Kitten distemperment is both highly contagious in cats and often fatal. The feline viral rhinotracheitis calicivirus and panleukopenia vaccinations often come in a combination shot fvrcp which is sometimes called the distemper shot your cat may need extra shots.

If you have kittens or puppies the first round of vaccinations usually two or three vaccines are given at around six to eight weeks old. The shot for panleukopenia also known as feline distemper is another recommended vaccination. The felv vaccine is recommended by some veterinarians for all kittens while others recommend the vaccine only for those kittens at risk of disease. Cats are commonly vaccinated against.

The initial vaccination series consists of two doses three to four weeks apart followed by revaccination one year later for all pet cats. Your vet can advise which vaccinations your cat or kitten will need to help protect them from infectious diseases. The decision should be based on your pet s lifestyle and a discussion with your vet. Talk to your veterinarian about your kitten s risk of exposure to these diseases.

Depending on your location and your kitten s environment certain non core vaccines may also be recommended. The final vaccine however should not be given before your pet turns sixteen weeks. Non core kitten vaccinations include feline leukemia felv feline immunodeficiency virus fiv feline infectious peritonitis fip chlamydophila felis and feline giardia vaccines. It is often passed from an untreated mother cat to her kittens.

On the other hand some vaccines are only needed depending on conditions that are specific to your cat their lifestyle or their environment. 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. The virus goes to work on white blood cells and cells in the intestinal lining and is a common cause of fading kitten syndrome. 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.

If certain risk factors apply to your cat your vet might recommend one or more of these non core vaccinations.