Ensuring your cat is up to date on vaccinations is vital for their health and well-being. At Vets on Balwyn, we provide comprehensive vaccination services to protect both kittens and adult cats in Melbourne from serious diseases.
Why Is It Important To Vaccinate Your Cat?
Cats and kittens are vulnerable to many highly contagious diseases. Even indoor cats can be exposed to dangerous viruses through brief encounters with other animals or contaminated surfaces. Core viruses can lead to significant health complications and can be life-threatening, particularly for unvaccinated cats, kittens, or those with compromised immune systems.
To protect your pet’s health and reduce the risk of spreading illnesses, vaccination is essential. Additionally, up-to-date vaccinations are required for admission to boarding facilities.
What We Vaccinate Against
At Vets on Balwyn, we offer core cat vaccinations to safeguard against the following critical viruses:
- Feline Panleukopenia Virus: A virus that disrupts blood cell production in the bone marrow and harms the intestines, resulting in severe vomiting, diarrhea, and nutrient absorption problems. This life-threatening condition can be fatal.
- Feline Herpes Virus: This infection impacts the upper respiratory tract and eyes, causing ongoing flu-like symptoms that can worsen during stressful situations.
- Feline Calicivirus: A highly contagious virus that targets the upper respiratory system and eyes, resulting in painful mouth ulcers, fever, and swollen eyes. All strains can be life-threatening for kittens, while more virulent strains pose significant risks to adult cats.
Additional Vaccination for Outdoor Cats:
We also advise vaccinating outdoor cats against Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) as part of our comprehensive vaccination program. This virus weakens the immune system, leading to chronic health issues such as flu symptoms, dental complications, and poor coat condition. Cats with FIV often experience reduced life spans due to greater disease risks. The virus is mainly spread through bites from infected cats.
Vaccination Schedule
Initial Vaccination Schedule for Kittens:
To ensure optimal protection, we follow a specific kitten vaccination schedule:
- 6–8 weeks old — First vaccination
- 10–12 weeks old — Second vaccination
- 14–16 weeks old — Third vaccination
Annual Vaccinations:
Once your cat has completed the initial set of vaccinations, they need to receive annual booster shots to ensure ongoing immunity.
FIV Vaccination Schedule:
For the best protection, kittens and cats should receive three FIV boosters spaced two weeks apart. Completing this series before outdoor exposure is highly recommended. Though the vaccine provides good defence, it isn’t completely foolproof, so testing may be necessary if your cat has been in a fight.
Vets on Balwyn advises keeping cats indoors or in a secure outdoor enclosure to safeguard their health, enhance their safety, and prevent them from hunting wildlife.
Book an Appointment
Book an appointment with Vets on Balwyn today, and let our skilled vets take care of your cat’s health and happiness.
FAQs
If your cat is overdue, it’s best to consult with our vets. We can recommend a plan to bring your cat’s vaccinations up to date safely.
Kittens can typically go outside about a week after their final vaccinations, but it’s best to confirm with your vet to ensure they are fully protected.
Vets on Balwyn recommends keeping cats indoors or in a secure outdoor enclosure to protect their well-being, ensure their safety, and stop them from hunting wildlife.
Yes, vaccinations are generally safe for older cats. It’s especially important to continue vaccinations throughout their life, as older cats’ immune systems tend to weaken, making them more susceptible to illness. Consult your vet for a vaccination plan that considers your cat’s health status.
Yes, a full health examination is necessary before administering a vaccination to ensure your cat is healthy and doesn’t have any underlying conditions that could be affected by the vaccination or impact its effectiveness.
