Vaccinations: Kittens

Vaccines are given to kittens to stimulate their immune systems to form antibodies to protect against disease. A series of vaccines is necessary to ensure that your kitten's immunity is sufficient to protect your future cat against disease, while their in the crucial stage of immunity development.

Your kitten's recommendations for a vaccine program will be based on his age, previous vaccine history, and lifestyle. Kittens receive booster vaccinations every 3-4 weeks until they are 16 wks of age. Vaccines which may be considered are as follows:

• Feline Distemper Combination Includes:
• Panleukopenia: characterized by fever, poor appetite, vomiting and diarrhea. This may cause death.
• Rhinotracheitis: highly contagious respiratory disease and is characterized by sneezing, fever and inflamed eyes.
• Calicivirus: highly contagious respiratory disease similar to rhinotracheitis.
• Feline Leukemia: may exist in a non-symptomatic carrier state. It is generally fatal if active and is characterized by anemia, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. It is highly contagious. A blood test is required before vaccinating for this disease. This vaccine is recommended for all kittens up to one year of age, and then annually depending on the risk of exposure if your cat goes outdoors.
• Rabies: Your kitten will also receive a rabies vaccine at 3-4 months of age. Rabies is always fatal and is a public health concern.