Are you thinking of bringing home a new kitten as part of your family, or do you already have a kitten in your household? If so, you may be wondering which shots your new cat might need. As a responsible cat owner in Matthews, it’s important to keep up with your kitten’s vaccines from as early as possible.
Important Kitten Vaccines in Matthews, NC
In this article, we’ll show you the basics you need to know about kitten vaccines. With this information, you can figure out which vaccines your kitten might need and which you want to ask your veterinarian in Matthews, NC about as soon as possible, too.
6 Week Kitten Vaccines
Some important vaccines your kitten may get around 6 weeks of age include:
Rhinotracheitis
Rhinotracheitis is a disease that causes upper respiratory symptoms in cats. When kittens come down with this disease, it can be life-threatening. This is a type of herpes virus.
Calicivirus
This virus also causes upper respiratory symptoms in cats. Just like rhinotracheitis, it can be life-threatening to kittens or cats with other underlying health problems, which is why it is given as a vaccine at such an early stage.
Panleukopenia
Although this disease is sometimes called feline parvo, it is not caused by the same virus as canine parvo. Panleukopenia is an extremely dangerous disease which is often fatal to cats and kittens both. However, it is also very rare, particularly because it is so often vaccinated against when cats are still very young.
Chlamydia
This disease first affects a cat’s upper respiratory system, but it can spread to the cat’s lungs if left untreated. Kittens are very highly susceptible to this disease, but it can affect cats of any age and is extremely contagious as well.
12 Week Kitten Vaccines
Usually around 12 weeks of age, kittens will receive the following vaccines:
Boosters
At this point, cats will receive booster shots for rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, and calicivirus. Cats do not need a booster shot for chlamydia at this stage. Your vet in Matthews will let you know if your cat needs a booster shot sooner or later than this; however, 12 weeks is the usual timing for kitten booster vaccine.
Feline Leukemia
Feline leukemia is an extremely dangerous and highly contagious disease. Therefore, it is important to have your cat vaccinated against it as soon as possible. Some vets may offer this vaccination earlier than 12 weeks, so it’s important to speak to your veterinarian for more information about when it’s time to have your new kitten vaccinated against this deadly illness.
4 Month Kitten Vaccines
When your kitten is about 4 months old, your veterinarian may recommend the following vaccines:
Feline Leukemia Booster
At four months, your cat will receive her first feline leukemia booster. Cats will require this vaccination to be boosted throughout their lives, however, so keep this in mind moving forward. Your vet may be able to provide you with a general timeline of what to expect in terms of feline leukemia booster shots.
This time frame may change as your cat ages, though, and it may also depend on the environmental needs and factors of your cat’s life, too. For example, if you bring home a new cat, you may choose to have your existing cat’s shots boosted again in some cases.
Rabies
This is also the right time for your kitten to receive her first rabies vaccine. Since kittens cannot receive this shot until four months of age, it is crucial to keep them quarantined from other animals who may potentially spread rabies until they get vaccinated.
Rabies is very dangerous and is always fatal; additionally, it can be easily spread to humans and other animals, making it a highly challenging disease to fight once it has shown up in your household. Prevent this risk entirely by having your kitten vaccinated at the right time.
Make an Appointment for Your Kitten’s Vaccines in Matthews, NC
Now that you’ve had a chance to read up on kitten vaccines, you may have a better understanding of what you need to do for your new kitten. Your veterinarian in Matthews can give you more information and let you know which vaccines are important where you live, too.
Additionally, your vet can examine your kitten and find out if she has any health concerns that might affect which vaccines she can receive. This is one of the many reasons why it’s important to start a good relationship with your veterinarian as soon as you adopt a new kitten into your household.
At Caring Hearts Animal Hospital, we always customize your kitten’s vaccine plan based on their unique needs and lifestyle. Your pet’s health is always our top priority and we want them to live a long and healthy life with you, which is why we put so much importance on being proactive in their health. To make an appointment or if you have any questions about your kitten’s health, contact us today.