In principle, vaccinations of cats perform the same function as for humans, that is, they protect the body from various diseases. At the beginning of the conversation, it should be noted that vaccination of an animal is always associated with some risk. There is currently no consensus on how often vaccinations should be given and how effective some types of vaccines are. However, most veterinarians unanimously argue that using the medication for preventive purposes will increase the life expectancy of your little friend and improve its quality.
Who needs vaccination?
Some owners consider vaccinating cats to be completely useless. They motivate this by the fact that their pet practically does not leave the apartment and does not contact with other animals. This position is not entirely true. Of course, if your animal is free to go outside and come back, or you are going to take it to the country for the summer, vaccinations should be considered first. However, pampered domestic cats also need timely vaccination. In general, when making a decision, it is necessary to take into account factors such as the habitat of the animal and its lifestyle.
Vaccinations
All vaccinations of cats can be divided into two categories: main and additional. The first group includes four injections: against panleukopenia (in common people - cat distemper), calcivirosis, feline herpes virus and rabies.
Vaccination time
When to vaccinate a cat? Veterinarians answer this question as follows: the first three are necessary for kittens aged 8-10 weeks. The vaccination should be repeated three times: at 12-14 weeks and after a year. Then revaccination is repeated every three years. The optimal time for an injection against rabies is 3 months; revaccination - every 1-3 years (it depends on what type of vaccine was used).
Additional vaccinations
Vaccinations of cats belonging to the group of additional vaccines include:
- feline chlamydia: an injection is made if the cat lives among infected individuals;
- feline immunodeficiency virus: a cat can become infected if it is bitten by a sick animal. If your four-legged friend moves freely to the outside and back, you need to ask the veterinarian about this vaccine;
- feline leukemia virus: vaccination in this case also makes sense if the cat has access to the street. Domestic kittens older than 4 months do not need vaccination.
RiskWhat vaccinations cats need, we figured out. Now let's talk about the possible side effects of vaccination. They can range from minor irritations at the injection site to anaphylactic shock and the onset of tumors. Of course, such cases are not too common, but, nevertheless, such a possibility exists. Therefore, you need to decide on additional vaccinations only if they are really necessary. Do not play it safe: you can do much more damage to your pet. It is strictly forbidden to give injections to pregnant individuals - this is fraught with a miscarriage. In general, it’s better to decide on vaccinations only after you consult with your veterinarian in detail.