Cat Vaccination Schedule & Important Precautions

Canine Distemper (Panleukopenia): Diagnosis involves not only routine tests but also a white blood cell count. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, seizures, high fever, and loss of appetite. The survival rate for kittens during this stage is less than 50%.

Upper Respiratory Infection (Feline Rhinotracheitis): This condition is carried by asymptomatic carriers and transmitted through saliva. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, nasal discharge, loss of appetite, lack of energy, conjunctivitis, and difficulty breathing.

Calicivirus: Similar to the symptoms of upper respiratory infection, it also presents with oral ulcers and increased nasal and eye discharge.

Trivalent Vaccine Brands: Merial's Multivac (inactivated vaccine), Intervet's (weakened inactivated vaccine). Most veterinary clinics and catteries administer Multivac.

Generally, cats can be vaccinated at 8 weeks of age. However, some kittens may not meet the physical requirements for vaccination at this age, and administering the vaccine could lead to severe stress reactions, even death.

It is recommended that the first vaccination for cats be scheduled between two to three months. Most pet hospitals follow a regimen of 3 doses of the trivalent vaccine plus 1 dose of the rabies vaccine, with all doses completed around the age of 56 months. Each dose of the trivalent vaccine is administered every 21 days, and the rabies vaccine is given one week after the last dose of the trivalent vaccine. If the first dose of the trivalent vaccine is administered to a kitten at 4 months of age, a 2+1 dose schedule can be used, with one dose during kittenhood and the other for an adult booster; adult cats can also receive the rabies vaccine on the same day.

Points to consider during the vaccination period:

Avoid bathing your cat for two weeks before and two weeks after vaccination. Cats should not be vaccinated if they exhibit symptoms of a cold, such as sneezing, runny nose, diarrhea, and a lack of energy.

After vaccination, the cat's immune system will activate, which may cause lowgrade fever, drowsiness, sneezing, and decreased appetite. These symptoms should resolve within a few days, and antibodies should develop within about two weeks. If symptoms persist for more than three days, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian.

Avoid using air conditioning and fans to prevent the cat from catching a cold or getting sick.

Do not deworm the cat during the vaccination period.