Why should I vaccinate?
Vaccinations are an important and somewhat controversial topic. While vaccines are a very important of a healthy pet's wellness program, which vaccines your cat should receive will be based on your cat#39;s individual needs. Vaccines are divided into core vaccines that all cats should have, and additional vaccines that some cats should have based on their risk of exposure to that particular disease.
Core vaccinations include:
- distemper (panleukopenia)
- calicivirus
- rhinotracheitis (FVRCP)
- rabies
Additional vaccines include:
- feline leukemia
- feline infectious peritonitis
These individual disease vaccines are discussed in a later section.
Core vaccinations are started in kittens at 6 to 8 weeks of age. At this age the kitten should receive distemper (panleukopenia), calicivirus, and rhinotracheitis vaccinations.
The kitten should be revaccinated with a distemper (panleukopenia), calicivirus, and rhinotracheitis (FVRCP) vaccine at twelve weeks of age.
Rabies is given at sixteen weeks of age.
At one year of age, the young adult will be given distemper (panleukopenia), calicivirus, rhinotracheitis (FVRCP) and rabies. This ensures a solid immunity.
After one year of age, distemper (panleukopenia), calicivirus and rhinotracheitis (FVRCP) can be given every three years. Rabies is given every 3 years as well. We will keep track of when your cat is due for vaccinations and notify you when cat needs to come in for his wellness exam.
Additional vaccinations include feline leukemia virus and feline infectious peritonitis. These are given primarily to cats that go outside. See below for the descriptions of the vaccinations. Additional vaccinations are administered based on need. The frequency will be annually unless otherwise noted.
Feline Vaccination Chart
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