How fast do cat vaccinations work

How Do Cat Vaccinations Work? Cat Vaccination Schedules Kittens need a series of vaccinations when they are very young because they are more prone to serious, deadly infections at a young age.

You will need to discuss the most effective vaccine schedule with your vet. That said, these are the core vaccinations typically recommended for all cats: Panleukopenia. Also known as feline parvovirus or feline distemper, the panleukopenia virus is a life-threatening viral disease that spreads quickly through non-vaccinated cat populations. This disease affects rapidly dividing cells in the body and can cause vomiting and diarrhoea and neurological signs.

Young kittens are particularly sensitive. Feline Herpes Virus. This is a viral upper respiratory infection. It is highly contagious and can lead to pneumonia, particularity in kittens. This is another viral respiratory disease, which also affects the intestines and the musculoskeletal system. Extra Cat Vaccination Shots In addition to the above-recommended vaccinations, you may also want to vaccinate your cat against these diseases: Feline Leukemia.

It can be transmitted by infected cats via their saliva and is one of the top causes of cat deaths worldwide. Chlamydophila Felis. A bacterial infection, this disease causes inflammation of the conjunctiva, respiratory problems, and rhinitis in cats. Fortunately, adhering to recommended vaccine protocols means we have the luxury of not worrying quite so much about such things. However, you may wonder how veterinary vaccines work. What do IM vs SQ injections mean? When healthy animals are vaccinated, their own immune system responds to the vaccine and can remember the infectious agent to which the animal is vaccinated.

This means, if appropriately vaccinated animals are then exposed to the pathogen against which they have been vaccinated, they can expect a level of protection from disease. Some vaccines - like rabies - are government mandated for public safety. There is also a standard vaccination schedule for puppies and kittens at 6, 12, and 16 weeks of age which include immunizations against distemper , parvo, hepatitis, and other dangerous diseases.

Then, your dog or cat will need boosters periodically throughout their lives. For example, dogs who go to doggie daycare or regularly interact with other animals will need to be up-to-date on their kennel cough and canine influenza vaccines.

Each pet will have an individualized veterinarian protocol. SQ and killed vs. They have been useful in reducing several infectious diseases from spreading further and have almost eradicated some potentially fatal diseases. If the number of pets protected by vaccines drops our animal companions could be at risk from outbreaks of these serious infectious diseases again.

Vaccinations are extremely cost effective when you consider what treating a serious illness can cost you and your pet in terms of both money and distress. Essentially, vaccines give the body a preview of a bacterium or a virus, allowing it to learn how to defend itself against that potential invader in advance. When your pet receives a vaccine, its immune system produces special substances called antibodies that work against the virus or bacteria that cause the disease.

Later, if your pet is exposed to these viruses or bacteria, the formed antibodies will help destroy them, thus prevent your pet from becoming ill. It is important that your pet is healthy at the time of vaccination so that the immune system can develop its protective response properly. However, this protection only lasts for some weeks, so our little pets need regular vaccinations from an early age. Puppies and kittens need a series of 2 or 3 vaccines given weeks apart. After this they need a vaccine booster one year later.

Some vaccinations are 3-yearly while others are yearly. Because of these varying factors, VetEnt recommends that you bring your pet in for routine annual examinations where a vaccination plan for your pet can be decided during a discussion between you and your vet. As a general rule, FeLV vaccination protection lasts for about a year, and herpes, calici and panleukopenia last for around three years.

Are vaccines dangerous? All vaccines used by vets in the UK are licensed, meaning they have to go through rigorous safety checks before they are approved for use. These licenses are also constantly under review by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate to make sure they stay safe for your cat. As with any medication, there is always the possibility of side effects , but they are rare, and the benefits of protection from a vaccine far outweigh the risks.

Please note, our vets and nurses are unable to respond to questions via this form. Donate Menu. Get help. Find us. Pet Health Hub Search. Cat Vaccines. Contents Overview What vaccinations do cats need? How do cat vaccines work? Vaccination schedule Indoor cat vaccinations What to expect at a vaccine appointment Protecting an unvaccinated cat Vaccine side effects Cost of cat vaccination FAQ's. Check your pet's symptoms. Print this page. Overview Vaccination is an important way of protecting your cat against some serious and sometimes deadly diseases.

If you live in the UK, your cat should be regularly vaccinated against: Cat Flu Feline panleukopenia Feline leukaemia virus if they go outside Rabies vaccination is only necessary if your cat travels in and out of the UK.