Unfortunately, kittens often die due to various diseases, and the main reason for this is the lack of vaccinations. After all, vaccination is an opportunity to avoid contracting a viral or microbial infection.
That is why it will be useful for every owner to learn how to prepare for vaccination, which drug to choose, and how to cope with possible complications.
List of standard vaccinations and schedule
Every pet must be vaccinated against the following diseases:
- Panleukopenia (in common parlance – plague). This is the most dangerous disease, often leading to death. It affects cardiac and respiratory functions.
- Viral tracheitis. This disease affects the respiratory system. It is accompanied by rhinitis, conjunctivitis and discharge from the sinuses. This disease is fatal.
- Chlamydia. With the disease, respiratory and visual function are impaired. Sometimes there is a disorder of the digestive system. As a result, the pet becomes infertile or dies.
- Calicivirus infection. It is difficult to treat, since the pathogen can mutate. Signs of the disease are cramps and lameness, accompanied by a cold.
- Rabies. The disease is dangerous both for the animal itself and for its owner. Such infectious diseases are the most dangerous for a kitten, for this reason vaccinations should be done first.
Currently, there are two types of animal immunization:
- a set of vaccinations against 4 major ailments;
- separate injection for rabies.
Vaccination is carried out only if the cat is completely healthy; for this reason, it needs to be examined by a veterinarian. It is possible that the animal may have a personal intolerance to the injected drug, but the injection will still have to be given. This will help your pet suffer from the disease in a less tragic way.
Also read the article about vaccination of adult cats.
What are kittens vaccinated against?
The immunization schedule is as follows:
- The first vaccination is given to a kitten at 2 months;
- the second – at 3 months of age;
- the third – at the age of 1 year.
In the future, vaccination is carried out annually, and the injections must be renewed each time.
This scheme should be followed from birth until the moment the animal dies. This way the pet can live for a very long time. To easily track the time of vaccine administration, you can purchase a special diary at the veterinary hospital.
Do cats need vaccinations?
The answer is clear - it is necessary. This way the owner will protect the animal from a number of health problems. But the risk of getting a bacterial or viral infection remains.
Prejudice against vaccination:
- Domestic cats do not need to be vaccinated;
- outbred animals have strong immunity;
- kittens from the nursery do not need vaccinations;
- A purebred cat does not need vaccination if it does not participate in competitions and exhibitions.
The mistaken position of pet owners is not to vaccinate their kitten because it lives at home and does not go outside. They forget that harmful microorganisms can enter the apartment on shoes and outerwear.
Expert opinion
Chepa Natalya Semenovna
Veterinarian
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How else can a domestic cat become infected with a dangerous infection? For example, an animal fell out of a window or ran out of an apartment. Often such a cat can spend several days outside or in the basement before its owner finds it, this is enough time for infection. The likelihood of coming into contact with a sick animal is also high when visiting a veterinary clinic. Please note that your veterinarian has the right to refuse to accept a cat that has not been vaccinated against rabies. By law, owners are required to vaccinate their pets against rabies annually, regardless of their living conditions.
The second myth is that street kittens have strong immunity, their body will successfully fight off any infection. In fact, outdoor cats are even more susceptible to attack by viruses or bacteria. No one is giving them vaccines. Kittens become infected in the womb or after birth through their mother's milk.
Important! The lifespan of outdoor cats and cats is 50–70% less than indoor cats. They are susceptible to attacks from stray dogs and irresponsible people, get poisoned after preventative treatment of basements by housing and communal services, and die from infections due to lack of vaccination.
A cat from a cattery may not be vaccinated. It is important to check how honestly the organization’s employees do their job of caring for the animals and whether they take care of the kitten’s first vaccination. If he was given to a family without a veterinary passport, this is the first sign of dishonesty among the nursery workers.
Important! The veterinary passport serves as the only proof of vaccination of the animal. The document must have the appropriate stamps and the dates of vaccinations given.
The vaccination schedule is the same for everyone. First, the required complex vaccine is selected. Then an appointment with the doctor is scheduled and the vaccine is given. After 3 weeks, revaccination is done to consolidate the result and improve the body’s adaptation.
This is true for both purebred and outbred animals. Persian kittens receive the same vaccinations as regular street kittens.
Primary vaccination and its distinctive features
From the age of 2 months, each kitten needs to be vaccinated regularly. At earlier stages, vaccinating an animal is pointless, since the body will not develop the required immunity. Primary immunization is necessary so that the pet’s body learns to resist many pathogens. This will help improve the health of the four-legged animal and also prolong its life.
Immunization is a strong stress for the baby's body. To avoid possible consequences, it is recommended to give the injection at home. In a familiar environment and next to the owner, the cat will tolerate this procedure more easily.
Before vaccinating a kitten for the first time, the possibility of contact with sick relatives should be excluded. If the baby interacts with an infected animal, immunization must be rescheduled.
This requirement also applies to pets who have undergone surgery. Primary vaccination for a four-legged friend is allowed only 25 days after surgery.
If a cat's baby teeth are replaced by permanent ones, the injection should be carried out after they are completely replaced.
Primary vaccination can provoke the development of adverse reactions in the form of lethargy, drowsiness, loss of appetite, loss of interest in games. This phenomenon is a normal reaction of the body to the administered drug.
If the baby refuses food for more than 24 hours, there is an increase in temperature and indifference, you urgently need to seek help from a veterinarian.
When not to vaccinate
According to the unified veterinary protocol, the first vaccination is canceled if at least one factor from the list is present:
- chronic, acute or subacute disease;
- high temperature - more than 39.2°C degrees;
- exhaustion;
- dehydration;
- suspected immunodeficiency or confirmed diagnosis;
- the animal is less than 8 weeks old;
- recent injection of hyperimmune serum - less than 3 weeks ago;
- helminthiasis or infection with other parasites;
- lack of preliminary deworming;
- recent surgery – less than 2–3 months.
Domestic cats are not vaccinated if they are pregnant. The period of estrus begins at approximately 6–7 months. For some, earlier – from the 5th month. The first vaccination does not affect the health of the kitten if the animal is in heat or on a cat spree. As for the period of change of baby teeth, veterinarians have a mixed opinion.
Important! The main reason for doctors’ refusal to carry out primary vaccination on schedule is the weakened immunity of cats.
Age for rabies vaccination
Immunization against rabies is carried out for the baby at the age when communication with other animals begins (at about 3 months).
In cases where the cat practically does not communicate with its relatives, the vaccine is administered at 6-8 months of age.
Re-vaccination is carried out annually at approximately the same period.
Usually, an anti-rabies injection has a strong effect; as a result, after vaccination, the baby becomes lethargic and weak, in addition, the temperature rises for a couple of hours.
Prices for kitten vaccinations
| Name of veterinary services | Unit | Price, rub |
| ⭐ Imported, complex with “Rabies” | 1 dose | 1450 |
| Imported, complex without “Rabies” | 1 dose | 1100 |
| Purevax chlamydia" + "Rabies" | 1 dose | 1550 |
| Purevax with chlamydia without “Rabies” | 1 dose | 1200 |
| Imported vaccine for dogs with coronavirus without Rabies | 1 dose | 1100 |
| Rabies vaccine | 1 dose | 700 |
| Vakderm, Vakderm F Vaccine against microsporia and trichophytosis (including lichen) | 1 dose | 550 |
| Ferret vaccination | 1 dose | 1450 |
| Vaccination of rabbits | 1 animal | 450 |
| Registration of a veterinary passport | 1 PC | 200 |
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Key requirements for immunization
When immunizing a kitten, you should follow some rules:
- the drug can only be administered to a completely healthy pet;
- Injections are prohibited for a kitten after communicating with infected relatives;
- after immunization, surgical intervention is contraindicated for 21-25 days;
- after surgery, vaccination is not carried out for at least 21 days;
- if antibiotics are used for therapy, administration of the medication is allowed after 2 weeks;
- It is forbidden to vaccinate your pet when changing teeth;
- the vaccine should not be expired;
- It is contraindicated to vaccinate pets under 2 months of age;
- During the procedure, the baby must be calm.
Possible consequences after vaccination
After immunization, some unpleasant consequences are possible:
- lethargy;
- lack of appetite;
- elevated temperature;
- pain at the injection site;
- encephalitis;
- polyneuritis;
- arthritis;
- convulsive conditions;
- changes in behavior;
- loss or change in hair color in the area where the medication was administered.
Increased sensitivity to the vaccine and immune reaction may manifest itself as:
- inability to develop immunity after injection;
- tumors at the injection site;
- reactions caused by incorrect or untimely vaccination.
Possible complications after vaccination
In most cases of cat immunization, no serious side effects are reported after vaccination. Usually the entire period of antibody production proceeds without problems. But doctors emphasize that everything is individual.
After routine vaccination, cats may experience:
- lethargy;
- loss of appetite;
- anxiety;
- infrequent sneezing;
- swelling at the injection site;
- anxiety;
- drowsiness;
- fever;
- slight increase in temperature;
- allergic reactions;
- inflammation of the subcutaneous cellular structure (removed only surgically).
Note! Since January 2021, all veterinarians have been following a single protocol - before the procedure, they notify cat owners about changes to the vaccination regulations. Now the vaccine is placed not in the withers, but in the muscle of the hind leg. This precaution allows us to exclude the development of malignant neoplasms in the lungs (sarcoma), which over the past 2–3 years have often been recorded precisely after vaccination at the withers.
How does the pet behave after manipulation?
Traveling to a veterinary hospital, unfamiliar aromas and people, and, in addition, unpleasant manipulation, are stressful for the animal, especially when it has not been taken out of its home before.
After returning from the hospital, the kitten may refuse food and play, hide in a secluded place and sleep for some time. After getting up, you need to offer your pet a small amount of his favorite treat.
The next time he refuses, you shouldn’t force him. Probably, the first day after vaccination the baby will only drink. You need to make sure that there is enough fresh water in the bowl.
During the first two days, you should not ventilate the room where the kitten is - due to a weakened immune system, it can easily catch a cold.
Mr. Cat advises: the most famous drugs for vaccination
The following products are used to immunize kittens:
| Name of the drug and for what ailments | At what age is it introduced, in weeks? | Re-introduction |
| Nobivac Tricat. Complex barrier against rhinotracheitis, calicivirus infection, plague. | 9-12 | After 21 days |
| Nobivac Rabies. Against rabies. | 12 | Not required |
| Quadricat. A comprehensive barrier against disease and rabies. | 12 | After 12 months, however, the rabies component is excluded |
| Eurifel RCPFeL.V. Cumulative protection and feline viral leukemia. | 7 | In 5 weeks |
A comprehensive barrier against three diseases and chlamydia:
| 7-8 | After 28 days |
| 8 | ||
| 8-12 | ||
| 10 |
| |
| Primucell FTP. A drug against infectious peritonitis. | 16 | After 28 days |
| Vakderm F. Protection against microsporia trichophytosis. | 6 | After 14 days |
| Microderm. A drug for lichen. | 6-8 | After 21 days |
| Polivak TM (for cats). Protection against dermatoses. | 10-12 | After 5 weeks |
Without what vaccinations will a cat not be allowed abroad?
Owners will not be allowed to transport a cat across state borders without mandatory vaccinations:
- from rabies;
- viral leukemia;
- panleukopenia;
- viral nature of immunodeficiency;
- rhinotracheitis;
- calcivirosis;
- infectious peritonitis;
- mycosis.
A kitten and any other animal must have an initial rabies vaccination one month before departure on a trip.
Important! The disease called “panleukopenia” has a popular name – “distemper”.
Immunizing your pet before traveling
When planning a trip with your pet, you need to get a certificate from the veterinarian with information about the vaccination performed. Such documentation will be needed to purchase a ticket for any public transport traveling long distances.
The immunization document must be issued in accordance with the law and include information about the vaccinations given to the cat. If the trip is made to another region of the state, obtaining a certificate from a veterinarian is an indispensable condition.
"Purevax"
This drug is manufactured by Merial. The vaccine contains components that can resist the most dangerous feline diseases, including chlamydia and leukemia. However, the composition of the drug can be changed depending on the condition, breed and characteristics of a particular animal.
Vaccination is carried out according to a similar scheme. The first injection is given at 8 weeks and repeated at 12 weeks with the addition of additional components.
All the drugs described above are not recommended for use if the cat is pregnant. Therefore, before the injection, you must make an appointment with a veterinarian so that he can assess the animal’s condition. It is important to find a competent specialist. Vaccinations at home are not recommended, as the animal may have an allergic reaction to any components of the drug. Therefore, it is better if experienced specialists are nearby.
Vaccination of Scottish and British kittens
The Scots and the British are artificially bred breeds of cats, as a result of which they have almost no immunity of their own. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce all the required vaccines in childhood, since the possibility of infection is very high.
Although pets of such breeds are ornamental animals that rarely leave their homes, immunization must be taken seriously. These kittens do not need any special vaccinations. The drugs are suitable for any four-legged friend.
Recommendations for preparing for vaccination
Preparing a kitten for its first vaccination is a simple process. A prerequisite is treatment against helminths. It is advisable to give antihelminthic drugs in 2 doses, so that the last one is no later than 10 days before the planned date of vaccination.
Another important factor is the health of the vaccinated animal. Before vaccination, monitor your pet’s behavior for several days: he should be cheerful, cheerful, play actively and eat well. If in doubt, it is better to consult a veterinarian before the procedure. The doctor, having examined the animal and found signs of illness in it, will most likely postpone vaccination until complete recovery.
