It is important to keep your cat’s shots up to date. Even if they lapse by a couple of weeks, you may lose your pet. If your cat is bitten by a wild animal, the only way to tell if it has rabies is to examine the brain and if the feral animal is not present, your cat will be at risk.
The important inoculations are rabies vaccination, distemper(FPV) vaccination and Feline Leukemia vaccination.
Rabies
Kittens are usually inoculated for rabies at 8 to 12 weeks. Adult cats acquired with no knowledge of immunization history, should be inoculated with either killed or recombinant rabies vaccine. Cat who have received recombinant vaccine should receive a booster on an annual basis. The killed rabies vaccine regimen is a booster after the initial inoculation, followed by three year vaccines.
Distemper
This disease is frequently fatal. It is caused by a parvovirus, which occurs virtually everywhere. If the cat’s immune system fails to protect it from the virus, the cat will succumb to this highly contagious disease. Vaccination can be administered to 12 week old kittens and thereafter, every three years.
Feline Leukemia
This is a very dangerous and highly contagious viral cat disease. It is a retrovirus that suppresses the immune system and inhibits a cat’s ability to fight off infection. It can cause both leukemia and cancer. Cat blood and saliva carry the infection typically through wounds caused by biting. Outdoor cats and cats living together are more susceptible to this disease.
Before a cat can is vaccinated, a blood test is conducted, to make certain that the cat is not infected. If the test is negative the cat can be vaccinated. The vaccine will give it immunity to this virus. When possible, kittens should be immunized at 8 to 10 weeks with booster 3 to 4 weeks following the initial dose. Another booster should be given in one year and annually thereafter.
Vaccines are important in maintaining your cat’s health. Your cat relies on you to keep her safe.
