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Essential Guide to Cat Vaccinations: What You Need to K

22. December 2024
Many people may wonder, "Why should we get vaccinated?"In the outside world, even domestic cats can

Many people may wonder, "Why should we get vaccinated?"

In the outside world, even domestic cats can come into contact with bacteria and viruses on the soles of our shoes. Vaccines can prevent some deadly infectious diseases in the feline world.

Now let's take a look at some common questions cat parents often have.

1. My cat never goes outside. Do I still need to get it vaccinated?

Yes, even if your cat stays indoors, you still go outside. Shoes and hands can carry various viruses. Especially after having a cat, it's recommended not to touch outside cats or other people's cats. If you accidentally bring home a virus, it could infect your cat! The cost of treatment is absolutely several to hundreds of times more than the cost of the vaccine.

2. If I get vaccinated, will I not get infected with any infectious diseases?

Even after getting vaccinated, there is no guarantee of 100% protection against infectious diseases, as there is still a possibility of immunization failure. However, it can significantly reduce the risk of infection. Please ensure that you get vaccinated at a regular veterinary hospital. Additionally, you can conduct antibody tests based on the actual situation.

3. What is antibody testing, and do I have to do it?

Antibody testing involves checking for the presence of antibodies against herpes, calicivirus, and feline distemper viruses in the cat's blood. The most scientific approach is to administer vaccines based on the results of antibody testing.

4. When is the best time to vaccinate my little kitten?

Before two months of age, kittens receive a substance called "transitional antibodies" through their mother's milk, which is their first layer of protection. This is a gift from their mother. If you vaccinate the kitten before two months, it will be protected by the transitional antibodies, which will destroy the inactivated viruses in the vaccine and not promote the production of antibodies in the kitten's body, leading to vaccine failure. Therefore, it's best to take the kittens to get vaccinated after they are two months old, when they are healthy and everything is normal.

5. How should I vaccinate an adult stray cat I've adopted?

Two doses of the feline triple vaccine and one dose of the rabies vaccine, with a onemonth interval.

6. If I find a pregnant female cat, do I need to get it vaccinated?

If you find a pregnant female cat, wait until the kittens are born and then vaccinate the mother first, so the kittens can receive antibodies through her milk. It is not recommended to vaccinate pregnant female cats because vaccines can be a stimulus that may affect both the mother and the kittens, even posing a risk to their lives.

7. When is the best time to take my cat to get vaccinated after it arrives at home?

After the cat arrives at home, it may experience some degree of discomfort due to the sudden change in environment, which could lead to stress reactions. Therefore, don't rush to take it for vaccination right away. Let it stay at home and observe it for about two weeks. Wait until the stress period is over and its eating, drinking, defecating, and sleeping are all back to normal before taking it for vaccination.

8. Is it better to get vaccinated as early as possible?

No, kittens before two months of age have transitional antibodies that can protect them, making it easy for the vaccine to fail.

9. What is the vaccination schedule?

First dose (at two months old) Second dose (at three months old) Third dose (at four months old)

After that, vaccinations should be administered annually or based on the results of antibody tests.

10. How many doses of the feline triple vaccine should be administered?

For未成年 kittens, the first dose introduces the immune system to these viruses. The second dose strengthens it, promoting the production of antibodies. The third dose strengthens it further, maintaining antibody levels and ensuring immune effectiveness.

For adult cats, the first dose is given in two doses. The most scientifically sound approach is to test for antibodies and administer the vaccine based on the results. Antibodies are for herpes, calicivirus, and feline distemper (the three viruses included in the feline triple vaccine).

11. What is the process for getting vaccinated?

One week before deciding to get vaccinated, keep the cat's life stable, don't change its food or environment, and carefully confirm the cat's physical condition before vaccination. It must be in good health to be vaccinated. Coughing, environmental changes, and diarrhea are not suitable for vaccination. This is to prevent the cat's weakened immunity from having an adverse reaction to the vaccine.

For the first week after vaccination, continue to maintain the cat's stable life, avoid bathing, and don't take the cat outside. After vaccination, the cat's immune system is fighting live viruses, and its immune system may be weakened. Try to minimize their stress and keep them relaxed and happy to avoid stress reactions or illness.

12. What are the possible side effects after vaccination, and what should I do about them?

After vaccination, there may be some minor side effects, such as depression, decreased appetite, lack of activity, and drowsiness. These are normal and usually appear within 23 days after vaccination and then disappear on their own. If they persist for more than 5 days, be sure to contact a veterinarian promptly.

13. How do I choose among the many vaccines available, such as Pfizer, Merial, and Virbac?

Pfizer and Merial are both good options. Others may not be effective or may not have a legitimate distribution channel. It is recommended to choose Pfizer's Multivac.

14. Is there a risk of tumors at the site where the rabies vaccine is administered? Should I get it vaccinated?

Attention: All mammals can be infected with rabies. China is a rabies endemic area, and the government mandates that pets be vaccinated against rabies. Some parents may have heard that the site where the rabies vaccine is administered is prone to tumors, but the chance is very small and can be ignored. Therefore, it is still necessary to get vaccinated.

15. What is the tumor at the injection site?

Some cats may develop a malignant tumor called fibrosarcoma at the injection site after vaccination. This is very serious and can metastasize. The chance is about 1 in 30,000 to 1 in 10,000. In the United States, vaccinations are usually given in the hind legs, and if there is a problem, amputation can save the cat's life. Some scholars are studying the idea of vaccinating cats at the tail, but there have not been any good results yet.

16. Can I deworm my cat at the same time as I take it for vaccination?

The deworming and vaccination should be separated by one week.

17. Is it okay to buy vaccines online and administer them myself?

Most veterinary hospitals charge about 100 yuan for a vaccination, while you might only pay 40 yuan online. Is it really worth risking your cat's life for 60 yuan? It is recommended not to buy vaccines online.

18. Should I get my cat vaccinated if I'm pregnant, or should I get vaccinated myself?

There is no effective vaccine for toxoplasmosis in the world. If your veterinarian suggests vaccinating your cat, and they are pushing it hard, it's best to leave. They are definitely misleading you. In fact, toxoplasmosis is not as可怕 as people think. As long as you do basic care work, such as not handling your cat's feces, not eating raw meat, and not eating soil, the chance of humans getting toxoplasmosis from cats is very small. You can also get tested before getting pregnant to see if you already have toxoplasmosis, and your child will not be infected.

19. If my cat has recovered from feline distemper, how should I administer the vaccine?

Start again after stopping the shots for half a month. Adult cats should receive two doses of Multivac, and kittens should receive three doses.

20. Is the pet hospital making money by recommending so many vaccines? They are so expensive and there are so many of them!

Actually, the pricing of vaccines is related to the operating costs of the pet hospital, such as rent and labor costs, which are distributed to each service. The same vaccine itself does not have any differences. Core vaccines are like cancer vaccines and must be administered. Once you get sick, the cost of treatment and the mortality rate are very high. Therefore, it is essential to follow the schedule and regularly administer core vaccines.

21. If my cat gets feline distemper and recovers, and then gets it again after getting the feline triple vaccine, is it the vaccine's fault, or is the vaccine not very effective?

If the vaccine comes from a legitimate source, the vaccine itself is not at fault. However, vaccines are not 100% effective, and there is a possibility of immunization failure. There is a type of antibody test that involves taking a blood sample to see if the body has produced immunity.

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