The feeling of welcoming a kitten as an extended family member is precious and worth cherishing for Guelph dwellers. While showering the kitty with galore of love & affection won’t be sufficient if you don’t vaccinate it at the right age. A Veterinarian in Guelph recommends that your kitten be jabbed in the first weeks of their life to minimize the risk of fatal ailments significantly. The importance of kitten vaccination to improve the health can’t be overstated, as the vaccines are scientifically proven to fight the transmission of crippling feline diseases.
The Type of Vaccinations to Ensure Your Kitten’s Longevity
Vaccinating your cute kitten helps safeguard their health, rendering the importance of the appropriate vaccination program at the right age. Several types of vaccines are available, which are categorized into two types:
-
Core vaccines
-
Non-essential vaccines
Irrespective of your kitten’s lifestyle, core vaccines are suggested for every kitten. Non-essential or non-core vaccinations are offered based on exposure to a particular virus or disease. Your veterinary doctor is the ideal person who can recommend the most appropriate vaccination program, depending on your kitty’s lifestyle.
The Must-Have Core Vaccines for Kittens
The kitten should be vaccinated against these below-mentioned diseases:
-
Feline panleukopenia virus, or FPV, is a severe viral infection causing vomiting and diarrhea.
-
Cat flu stems from several pathogens, including feline calicivirus and feline herpesvirus, affecting the mouth, eyes, and airways.
-
FeLV, aka Feline leukemia virus, suppresses the immune system. As a result, the body’s defense mechanism becomes compromised, predisposing the diseased cat to catch other illnesses.
-
Rabies is detrimental to both humans and animals, attacking the nerve and brain cells. Hence, your kitty needs a vaccination if you want to travel internationally with them.
Your vet can evaluate your kitty’s condition and the right age for vaccination. Finally, they create a vaccination program matched to your kitten’s needs.
When Do You Have to Vaccinate Your Kitten?
Your furry baby acquires natural immunity via its mother’s milk due to her vaccination. However, the obtained natural immunity starts to fade as they grow bigger. Therefore, vaccinating at the appropriate times is crucial to keeping them healthy. If you choose to vaccinate them too early, their mother’s antibodies will start interfering with the medicine. Similar to this, vaccinating too late will jeopardize their health and make them susceptible to more fatal diseases.
Kitten Vaccination Schedule
The general schedule for kitten vaccinations is shown below:
-
6-8 weeks: FVRCP and FeLV are highly recommended.
-
10-12 weeks: FVRCP (second in series) is needed, followed by FeLV, which is recommended.
-
14-16 weeks: FVRCP (third in series) followed by Rabies and FeLV are recommended.
-
1-year booster: FVRCP booster dose and Rabies booster doses are required.
Side Effects of Kitten Vaccines
Adverse effects of vaccinations are generally mild. But in rare cases, unanticipated fatal reactions ensue. The veterinary team in Guelph will discuss the probable issues about the kitty’s health in detail.
Insignificant side effects:
-
Mild fever
-
Lump at the jabbing area
-
Fatigues
-
Soreness at the injection site
Moderate side effects:
-
Diarrhea
-
Vomiting
-
Appetite loss
Intense side effects:
-
Trouble breathing
-
Facial inflammation
-
Shock
-
Hives on the body
Conclusion
Kitten vaccinations rely on innumerable factors, including indoor or outdoor living conditions and pre-existing medical terms. You must always consult a veterinarian to ascertain your ideal kitten vaccination schedule! Moreover, if you have seen any milder symptoms after receiving vaccination for your kitten, bringing your kitty to the vet is the best decision. They will help ascertain if it’s safe to proceed with the vaccine series or if you must give your cat an antihistamine beforehand.
