What exactly are cat vaccinations?
Cat vaccinations are a tool we use to help build the immunity in the cat.
Dr. Jim Martin
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
Are cat vaccinations necessary?
They're necessary depending on the lifestyle of your cat. If your cat is exposed to certain illnesses or risks in their environment, then they are necessary.
What cat vaccinations are typically recommended and what are they for?
The typical cat vaccines that we recommend are the rabies vaccine, to help prevent against rabies, and the FVRCP vaccine, which is commonly known as the distemper vaccine, for upper respiratory illnesses. Additionally, the leukemia vaccine is recommended depending on your cat's lifestyle.
What is the vaccination schedule for cats and kittens?
For adult cats, it depends on their lifestyle. If they're exposed to a lot of risks, we typically recommend the rabies vaccine, the distemper or FVRCP vaccine, and the leukemia vaccine. For kittens, we recommend those same vaccines and then after their initial vaccines, we reassess their lifestyle to determine if we need to continue those vaccines.
Are there risks or side effects associated with cat vaccinations?
Anytime we administer a vaccine to a cat, there's always a risk. This could manifest as an anaphylactic reaction, injection site soreness, or a sting from the needle. In some of the older vaccines, there was a risk of cancer, but with the new technology of vaccines that risk has been greatly reduced.
If my cat is going to strictly live indoors, do they still need to be vaccinated?
If there's exposure to other cats through windows, doors, or screens, we do recommend keeping up with those vaccines. The rabies vaccine is still required by law, depending on what municipality you live in, but all cats are required to have an updated rabies vaccine.
Why is it important to avoid missing a cat vaccination?
It's important not to miss vaccinations because they help keep the cat's immune system boosted. When they're exposed to an illness, they are less likely to contract that illness if they've been vaccinated.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Cat Vaccination - FAQs 1
Dr. Jim Martin
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
Can a cat have an allergic reaction to a vaccine?
It's always possible that a cat can have a reaction to a vaccine. It's not common, but it does happen occasionally.
Can a cat get cancer from vaccinations?
There have been instances in the past where cats have developed localized injection site cancers from vaccines. This isn't common anymore due to advancements in vaccine technology, but there is a small possibility depending on which vaccine is used.
Is it safer to opt out of any non-core cat vaccinations?
It's only safe to opt out if the risks and challenges that the cat might be exposed to have been eliminated.
Are there certain cat breeds prone to adverse reactions to cat vaccinations?
There's no data suggesting any particular cat breed is more prone to allergic reactions than any other cat.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Cat Vaccination - FAQs 2
Dr. Jim Martin
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
Is it safe to give multiple cat vaccinations at the same time?
Yes, it is very safe to give multiple cat vaccines at the same time. It's a common practice, and many cats receive multiple vaccines.
Once my cat is vaccinated, will it need boosters?
That depends. If they're kittens, yes, they do need boosters early on. As adult cats, a lot of that depends on their lifestyle when they get boosted.
What should I do if I miss my cat's vaccine due date?
I would immediately go ahead and just call and schedule the next appointment. And then when you get in, talk to the veterinarian about how to get back on track with that vaccine schedule.
If my cat is vaccinated, is it safe to be around other animals that are not vaccinated?
It's safe to be around them. Of course, that's a tough question because you don't know what those other animals might be, if they're sick or not. But the goal are you want to help your cat build the immunity to withstand and protect them against those risks and challenges.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Cat Vaccination - FAQs 3
Dr. Jim Martin
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
Are all kitten and cat vaccinations necessary?
That depends on your cat's lifestyle and what they're exposed to. As kittens, it's important to make sure they're properly vaccinated so that a proper immune system is developed before they are exposed. For adult cats, not all vaccines are required. A lot of that decision depends on their lifestyle.
Are core cat vaccinations mandatory?
The only core cat vaccine that's mandatory is the rabies vaccine.
What are the non-core vaccinations and why would my cat need them?
Non-core vaccines for your cat might be something like an upper respiratory FVRCP. We call that the distemper vaccine. It's necessary for cats that might be outdoors or have exposure to other cats. The leukemia vaccine is also considered a non-core vaccine. Again, this has to do with the cat's lifestyle.
If my cat seems healthy, do they need vaccinations?
Yes, they need the ones that go with their lifestyle. If they are in an environment where they are exposed to illnesses and diseases, then yes, we want to keep them healthy by vaccinating them.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram