Cat Vaccination: Can Unvaccinated Cats Spread Diseases

About Cat Vaccination: Three Common Questions

1. What is the "Cat Trivalent" Vaccine?

When we talk about cats needing vaccinations, we often hear about the "cat trivalent." But what exactly does this term refer to?

At its core, "cat trivalent" is a colloquial term, not the name of a vaccine. It generally refers to a combined vaccine that protects against three main viruses: the herpesvirus (feline rhinotracheitis), the calicivirus, and the feline panleukopenia virus.

It's important to note that the "cat trivalent" does not mean that each shot protects against one virus. Each dose contains a combination of all three vaccines. Multiple injections are given to strengthen the cat's immune response during the vaccination period, creating antibodies against these three viruses.

Of course, these three viruses are not transmissible to humans. The only deadly disease that can be transmitted from cats to humans is rabies, which is wellknown.

How Do Vaccines Work?

You can think of vaccines as processed viruses that, when injected into pets, stimulate the body to produce antibodies against the virus (this process is called an immune response). Generally, inactivated vaccines are considered safer than liveattenuated vaccines, although they may have slightly lower immunity.

The principle of vaccines can be simply understood as "fighting fire with fire."

2. Why Do Cats Need Vaccinations? How Should They Be Administered?

Just like we receive vaccinations from a young age to prevent certain common diseases, we use vaccinations to prepare the body's ability to fight against these diseases.

The cat trivalent vaccine is primarily used to prevent the three highly contagious and common viruses during the kitten stage, ensuring that the kittens are protected against these diseases.

Ps:

Of course, the rabies vaccine is also recommended for most cats, but it is not included in the cat trivalent vaccine. It should be administered at the end and is best to get the rabies vaccine.

How Many Shots of the Cat Trivalent Vaccine Are Needed?

For healthy kittens, the first shot is recommended at 8 weeks of age, followed by a second shot every 21 days until a total of three shots have been administered. This completes the initial immunization cycle.

Annual Booster Shots:

If the cat is in an environment with a high risk of infection (such as cats that regularly bathe outside or often visit veterinary clinics), it is recommended to get a booster shot once a year. For cats that are strictly indoor, a booster shot every three years can be considered.

How to Vaccinate Adopted Stray Cats?

New cat owners often wonder how to vaccinate older kittens when they adopt them.

First, visit a veterinary clinic to check the antibody levels and then decide on the vaccination plan. If no antibodies are detected, two doses of the cat trivalent vaccine are administered. The first dose requires multiple vaccinations to stimulate the immune memory and maintain stable antibody levels, usually requiring two additional doses.

If antibodies are detected, just one dose of the cat trivalent vaccine is needed. It is also recommended to administer the rabies vaccine in addition to the cat trivalent vaccine.

3. When Is It Not Suitable to Vaccinate a Cat? What Should Be Noted?

Points to Consider:

Cats under 8 weeks of age should not rush to get vaccinated.

Pregnant cats can only receive inactivated vaccines, not attenuated vaccines.

Vaccines and external deworming can be administered at the same time, but internal deworming and vaccines should be separated as they can both cause gastrointestinal reactions.

It's best to use vaccines from the same brand.

It's best not to bathe the cat during the vaccination period.

Most importantly, cats should be vaccinated when they are healthy and at the appropriate age!

The key step in the vaccine's mechanism is the immune response. Certain health conditions in cats can cause the immune system to malfunction, leading to immunization failure. Therefore, it's best to vaccinate cats when they are healthy, their immune systems are functioning normally, and they are of the right age.