Feline rhinotrachetitis in cats
Feline rhinotracheitis is a common condition among cats and kittens, and together with feline calcivirus can cause “cat flu”.
Vaccinating your kitten helps protect their health, making it vital that they start the right age based vaccination program.
There are several vaccines available, and in general terms, they can be split into two categories:
Core vaccines are recommended for all kittens and cats regardless of their lifestyle, while noncore vaccinations will be recommended by your veterinarian depending on the risk of exposure to the specific disease or virus for your cat.
According to recommendations by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the core vaccinations that all cats should receive are:
Your veterinarian will most likely administer a 3-in-1 vaccine called the FVRCP vaccine which covers FHV-1, FCV and FPV. The Rabies vaccine will be administered as a separate vaccination.
Your veterinarian will be able to assess your kitten's risk profile and the best age for vaccination. They will draw up a vaccination program specifically suited to your kitten and their needs.
As well as core vaccinations, there are non-core vaccinations. These vaccines can protect your cat if they have different lifestyle factors that put them at risk from other infections and
diseases. Non-core vaccinations include:
Making sure your kitten has the right vaccinations at the right age is one of the most important things you can do to protect their health.
Indoor cats should be vaccinated with all of the core vaccinations listed above. While you may feel like the risk of some diseases are drastically reduced when a cat lives indoors, the risk is still there.
As outdoor cats spend more time outdoors exposed to other animals and surfaces that may have been in contact with an infected animal, they are naturally more at risk of infection. As well as the core vaccinations, your veterinarian may recommend additional non-core vaccinations, such as the Feline leukemia virus vaccine, if they believe your cat is at an increased risk of infection.
At birth, kittens are protected by the antibodies passed on by their mother through her first milk (colostrum). They face a critical period when the concentration of the antibodies received from the mother is no longer enough to protect against viruses but is still high enough to prevent effective vaccination. During this time, a kitten is most vulnerable to infection. According to the AAHA, the earliest recommended first dose of the core FVRCP vaccine should be given at 6-8 weeks old. The rabies vaccine is recommended after 8 weeks.
As the first vaccination is recommended at 6-8 weeks old your cat may have already been given their initial core vaccinations when you first bring them home. However, always make sure you insist on a record of this from the breeder or shelter and provide it to your veterinarian when discussing your kitten's vaccination program.
Your veterinarian will give your kitten a thorough health exam before vaccinating them to make sure they are in a good state of health. At this stage, it's important to let them know of any unusual behavior or symptoms—this could be anything from tiredness to occasional diarrhea.
Your kitten won't be protected until an amount of time after they've had their final vaccination — your veterinarian will be able to advise on a timescale. You should make sure you keep them indoors until then.
Your kitten will receive their first FVRCP vaccine at 6-8 weeks old. Then, your veterinarian should vaccinate every 3-4 weeks until 16-20 weeks of age. From then on you'll follow a schedule of boosters for core and non-core vaccinations recommended by your veterinarian.
Your cat will require revaccination over different time periods depending on the recommendations of your vet and the laws in your state. Your cat may be given boosters for the core FVRCP and Rabies vaccinations and non-core FeLV vaccination, for example, at intervals varying between 1 and 3 years depending on state regulations and your veterinarian's recommendations.
Like any vaccination, there are potential side effects but adverse reactions are very rare. If you notice any of the following side effects, your cat may be having an adverse reaction to the vaccine and you should contact your veterinarian:
Nutritional formulas that help to build your kitten's natural defences, support healthy growth, and aid in digestive system development.
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