Vaccines for your kitten

Vaccines play a vital role in protecting your cat from life threatening illnesses thereby promoting a long and healthy life. They basically boost their immune system to fight against organisms that cause infectious diseases.

There are two types of vaccines; Core and Non core vaccines.

• Core vaccines are those that your pet must compulsory receive as they protect them against diseases that are too dangerous.
• Non Core vaccines are those that depend on the breed of your cat, age and lifestyle factors.

Core Vaccines:

• Rabies: Since rabies affect human beings it has been made mandatory by law in many countries to administer this vaccine. Starting from four months, a yearly dose can be given to your kitten.
• Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis Calcivirus Panleukopenia Vaccine: This vaccine protects your kitten from upper respiratory disorders and also the inflammation of the intestines. This is a combination inoculation given yearly once. Once your kitten is eight weeks of age three jabs of this vaccine must be administered.
• Feline Leukemia Vaccine: This vaccine is suggested for cats living indoors who have exposure to other cats. Feline Leukemia affects the immune system of the cats and damages their vital organs thereby causing cancer or death. It can also be passed hereditarily from mother cat to its kittens. Starting from 9 to 12 weeks of age,  two injections are given three to four weeks apart and thereafter annual booster dose must be given to protect your pet from this disease.   

Non Core Vaccine:

• Chlamydophila: This vaccine protects your pet from upper respiratory disease especially when they are most likely to be in contact with an infected cat. This vaccine can be administered once your kitten is 10 weeks of age.

Vaccination plays an important role in ensuring your pet enjoys a healthy and happy life. Make sure you take him to the vet for  regular check ups and that he leads a healthy lifestyle.