VACCINER SON CHAT - Comment et à quelle fréquence ? 🐱

Today we will talk about cat vaccinations, which is a very important topic.

When we adopt a kitten, we want the best for them and disease prevention. One of the best ways for them to live a healthy and happy life is to vaccinate them. Why is it important to vaccinate your cat? It is very important to vaccinate your cat so that they develop immunity against viruses and bacteria. Therefore, it is essential to follow the appropriate vaccination schedule. Immunity is transmitted to newborn kittens from the mother through the placenta and milk, but this immunity lasts for 30 to 40 days. After this period, the kittens are at risk of contracting disease again.

For this maternal immunity to be effective, it is also important that the mother has been previously vaccinated, dewormed, and tested thoroughly. After this initial period of immunity, the veterinarian will schedule the cat's vaccination. Generally, the cat will be dewormed first, then vaccinated when the cat undergoes a full health check-up during the first veterinary visit. It would be useless to vaccinate an already sick cat, as the vaccine stimulates the animal's immune defenses against potential disease attacks. In fact, if these defenses are already engaged, the veterinarian will be able to determine the best course of action. Fighting another disease, they won't notice attacks after this first examination.

If the cat is healthy, we will then proceed with the vaccination, which is a small injection that is slightly uncomfortable for the animal, but not painful. Side effects of the vaccination include a temporary deterioration for up to 24 hours in the cat. This means that within 24 hours after the vaccination, the cat may be more apathetic, less active, and have a reduced appetite. If you notice other symptoms, contact your veterinarian to determine whether the vaccine is responsible or not, so that they can provide you with treatment.

Is it necessary to vaccinate your cat?

When we vaccinate our cat for the first time, we are talking about the primary vaccination. The first part of the vaccination protocol consists of two injections, a few weeks apart. The first injection is usually administered three or four weeks apart, so that the vaccine is effective for the next 12 months. For this reason, it is important to follow the vaccination schedule recommended by the veterinarians. If, for any reason, we are unable to vaccinate the cat during this period, you will have to start the course again as if it had been reset to zero.

How often should you revaccinate your cat?

It is necessary. Regular annual booster doses are required to maintain the protection gained. A booster dose usually consists of a single vaccination injection, although this can vary depending on the epidemiological context and applicable legislation. Your veterinarian will advise you on the most appropriate vaccination protocol for your cat and the type of cat vaccine.

We would like to discuss the following vaccines with you:

Coronavirus, typhus, feline leukemia, and feline rabies. In addition to these three main vaccines, rabies vaccination is optional. Additional vaccines may be offered, especially if your cat is scheduled to go outside or come into contact with other cats or animals.

Coronavirus vaccine

Coronavirus is a highly contagious bacterial disease, so your pet needs to be vaccinated if they have been in contact with other cats or are likely to encounter them outdoors. Catarrh or viral tracheitis is most often caused by feline herpesvirus, while calicivirus is transmitted to cats through direct contact. If this virus is stopped, the disease manifests in the nasal, bronchial, and conjunctival mucosa, with sneezing, mild conjunctivitis, varro spasms, excessive salivation, and coughing.

Feline typhus, a disease that attacks the animal's immune system, is highly contagious due to resistance to the virus in the environment and can be fatal to kittens. Feline leukemia, a viral disease, is transmitted through secretions but can also be transmitted from mother to kitten. All cats can carry the virus in the same direction in the lamellae in most cases. In some cases, feline leukemia leads to death. The most noticeable symptoms are progressive weight loss, loss of appetite, fever, and pale mucous membranes. Feline leukemia appears to particularly affect kittens between eight and nine weeks of age. After the first year, the risk of infection decreases but does not completely disappear.