Precautions Before & After Cat Vaccination: What to Kno

Section 1: The Functions of the Immune System

The immune system is a vital physiological function that distinguishes between "self" and "nonself" components. It does this by destroying or rejecting antigens that enter the body, thereby maintaining the healthy operation of the organism and defending against or preventing infections by microorganisms and other pathogens. This is the primary function of the immune system.

Section 2: How the Immune System Operates

Our blood and lymphatic systems are filled with numerous immune cells. Among them, there are B lymphocytes that activate when there is a microbial infection or viral invasion. These cells enter a working mode with two pathways (humoral immunity):

1. After identifying an antigen, they stimulate the differentiation into plasma cells, which secrete antibodies specific to the antigen. These antibodies are highly specific, attacking only one type of antigen.

2. They transform into memory B cells. Memory B cells do not eliminate antigens or produce antibodies themselves, but they can quickly recognize and proliferate when encountering the same pathogen a second time. They differentiate into many plasma cells and B cells specific to the antigen, producing a large number of antibodies to defeat the antigen.

Section 3: How Vaccines Work

Vaccines work by utilizing the principles of the immune system. They apply inactivated pathogens or their metabolic products, which are artificially inactivated or genetically modified, to stimulate B lymphocytes to recognize antigens and produce antibodies or generate a large number of memory B cells. When a cat is exposed to the same pathogen again, the immune system will protect the body from viral invasion.

Section 4: Types of Vaccines

1. Inactivated Vaccines: These vaccines are made by cultivating, concentrating, and inactivating pathogens. They have minimal storage requirements. They induce immunity by injecting high doses of pathogens along with a slowrelease agent, continuously stimulating B lymphocytes to produce humoral immunity and antibodies. Examples include Merial's Trivac and rabies vaccines, which are the primary vaccination methods for cats.

2. Live Attenuated Vaccines: These are essentially live vaccines that can infect some cells. They cannot stimulate B lymphocytes to produce humoral immunity but can stimulate T lymphocytes to produce cellmediated immunity. Live vaccines are difficult to store and have a lower virus content than inactivated vaccines, so their immunity can be significantly reduced if the virus dies.

Section 5: Cat Vaccination Considerations

1. Vaccination Timing: kittens receive passive antibodies from their mother's milk for the first two months of life. These antibodies gradually disappear as the kitten grows older. If vaccinated too early, the kitten may be protected by these antibodies, rendering the vaccine ineffective. The passive antibody protection period is generally two months from the kitten's birth, but this can vary depending on individual differences.

The first vaccination should ideally be at three months of age to ensure that the kitten's passive antibodies have disappeared.

The second vaccination should be 34 weeks after the first.

The third vaccination should also be 34 weeks after the second.

2. Rabies Vaccination: Rabies has a 100% fatality rate once symptoms appear, and the vaccine is the only way to protect both humans and cats. Since China is a rabies endemic area, the government mandates pet vaccination against rabies. Additionally, cats traveling by plane are also required to have been vaccinated against rabies.

3. Tumor Risk at Injection Sites: Tumors at injection sites are one of the side effects and risks of cat vaccines, with a probability of about 1 in 30,000 to 1 in 10,000, which is far less than the risk of not being vaccinated.

4. Is it Necessary to Vaccinate Cats that Stay Indoors?: Rabies can infect not only cats and dogs but also rodents, squirrels, and pigs. If a cat does not come into contact with these animals, it may not need to be vaccinated. However, for safety reasons, it is best to get vaccinated.

5. Side Effects of Vaccines: Depending on the individual differences in a cat's body structure, there may be some side effects.

Mild side effects may include slight swelling at the injection site, slight fever, drowsiness, and decreased appetite.

Severe side effects are rare and usually involve allergic reactions: persistent vomiting and diarrhea, itching, facial swelling, severe difficulty breathing, and weakness.

6. Annual Vaccination: If the vaccine is confirmed to be effective, it is not necessary to vaccinate annually. The effective protection period of the vaccine is generally 7 years, and annual vaccination can increase the risk of developing tumors at the injection site. It is recommended to have an annual physical examination to check for parasites and overall health.

7. Continuing Vaccination with Side Effects: If a cat experiences only mild side effects, vaccination can continue; if there are severe, lifethreatening side effects, vaccination should be stopped.

8. Vaccination After a Major Illness (Cat Distemper): Resume vaccination after 15 days since the last vaccination. Adult cats should receive two doses of Merial's Trivac, while kittens should receive three doses.