Can Cats Get Vaccinated at Home? A Quick Guide!

Let's dive into the educational segment!

Newborn kittens receive antibodies from their mother's milk, which gradually diminish as they grow older. To protect them from viral infections, it's essential to vaccinate our feline friends. Pet vaccinations typically consist of four shots: three doses of a combination vaccine and one for rabies.

Bringing your cat to the vet for vaccinations involves a series of steps. First, the vet will examine your cat's health, followed by an assessment. After the assessment, the vaccination takes place, and your cat is observed for a period. As a caring owner, you're likely to notice any signs of special conditions or minor illnesses in your pet.

Now, let's get to the main topic: how to administer vaccinations to your cat at home.

Here's what you need to prepare:

1. Most vaccines are a combination of the "Merial Trifelvax" and the rabies vaccine. You'll need to find a reliable source to purchase all the vaccines at once.

2. Obtain the same number of syringes as the number of vaccines. Use one syringe per injection, ensuring that each cat gets its own to prevent infection.

3. Pay close attention to the storage instructions on the vaccine packaging. For example, Merial Trifelvax should be stored at 58 degrees Celsius, so I keep it in the refrigerator.

4. The vaccination schedule is every 20 days, with the first three doses of the Trifelvax and the last dose being the rabies vaccine.

How to Administer the Vaccination:

Step 1: The Cat and the Injection Technique

Cats have a weaker sense of pain, meaning they have a lower ability to perceive pain. Many of the stress reactions cats exhibit in veterinary clinics are not actually caused by pain.

I recommend a simple and effective technique called the "skin lift injection method," which is safe, efficient, and minimizes leakage after the injection.

Step 2: Draw the medication with strict aseptic technique. Be sure not to touch the tip of the syringe and remember to expel any air from the syringe.

Step 3: After the injection, apply a warm compress to the injection site to aid absorption.

And that's it! You've completed the vaccination process.