Every Important Cats Vaccination Question Answered

Cat vaccinations are crucial as they protect your little friends from several diseases. Remember having a pet at home does not only mean enjoying their company, but also taking care of them and the first step to ensure this is to make sure your pet is vaccinated. There are several things you must know before vaccinating your pet. When does your pet need the first dose of vaccine? What are the vaccines required? Cat owners often find fetching answers for these to be challenging. Here are some of the most popular questions answered regarding vaccinating your cat.

Is it necessary to get your cat vaccinated?

Yes. Though cat owners might often feel it is unnecessary to vaccinate their cat, medical studies reveal vaccinations can prevent your cat from a range of diseases. Vaccines help your cat develop immunities against several diseases and therefore lead a healthy life. Vaccinations also ensure your safety as your cat might spread various diseases otherwise. Thus, vaccinations are crucial for ensuring a healthy lifestyle in your feline companion.

Are cat vaccinations enforced by law?

The laws guiding cat vaccines vary from country to country. Generally, cat vaccinations are not mandatory in most countries. However, the rabies vaccine is enforced by law in Pennsylvania. This law was primarily passed to protect both cats and humans. Rabies is a fatal disease both amongst cats and humans and the former can spread the disease at a very fast rate. Though the other vaccinations are not mandatory by law, it would be best to get your pet vaccinated to protect their life.

What are the recommended vaccinations for cats?

Are you confused about what vaccines does your kitten needs? Most vets generally recommend three vaccines for kittens followed by booster doses. These three vaccines include the distemper vaccine, the rabies vaccine and the leukaemia vaccine.

Cat owners must also consider getting their feline friends insured. Pet insurances provide financial coverage for the medical expenses for your pet and also help you when your pet is undergoing a serious medical treatment or has a fatal disease. You can also cover the cost of pet vaccinations through a number of insurance policies.

What are the risks associated with cat vaccinations?

There are side-effects of most drugs and injections, but they are minute in most cases. Your kitten might have swelling at the spot where they are injected, or occasional bleeding. However, these are very common side-effects and your cat would recover from them pretty soon.

Your cat might also have allergic reactions to some of the drugs injected. Though such cases are rare, they are not impossible. Allergic reactions might include facial swelling, diarrhoea and spasms. These occur within thirty minutes after your cat is vaccinated. If you come across such symptoms, it would be best to consult a vet immediately. Your vet might also suggest alternative vaccinations, if your cat is allergic to specific chemicals. Your cat might also be quiet and a little lethargic for a few days after their vaccine.

Some cat breeds might have suppressed genetic disorders and react to specific drugs in vaccines. For instance they might develop tumour-like growths at the spot of injections known as sarcoma that can often get fatal. This is primarily why cats are often vaccinated at the hind paws so that such growth does not affect the rest of their bodies and can be operated easily.

Do I have to vaccinate my cat even if they stay indoors?

Most vets recommend cats being vaccinated even if they stay indoors. However, if you can be very sure they do not go out at all, the distemper and rabies vaccines should be enough. You can avoid the leukemia vaccines as chances of leukaemia in cats in such cases are already low.

Can I get multiple boosters for my cat simultaneously?

It is better to get your cat’s booster doses completed at the same time. However, this is only possible if your cat does not develop complications after being vaccinated. Vets prescribe finishing off the booster doses simultaneously as the cat would undergo the side effects only once in such a case. It is better to avoid putting your cat through this process over and over again.

Will my cat be safe around unvaccinated pets once after vaccination?

Pet owners must remember that vaccinations reduce the chances of contracting various infections and diseases in cats. However, it is not a fully proven precaution and it is always better to limit your cat’s access to unvaccinated pets. Your cat might still be susceptible to several germs and diseases, especially for which they have not been vaccinated. However, your cat is mostly safe with all vaccinated animals around.

What if I miss my cat’s vaccination date?

It is crucial that you do not forget the time for your cat’s booster doses. Thus, cat owners should take their cats to a vet at least once a year to keep a track of their next vaccination dates. Remember, delaying the booster dose can reduce the impact of the first vaccine, thereby reducing your cat’s immunity against specific diseases.

Conclusion

Cat vaccines can be challenging to understand for first-time cat owners. You must know the exact time when your cat should be vaccinated and the time for their booster doses. It would be best to follow specific guidelines and consult your vet frequently to make sure you do not go wrong with vaccinating your cat.