A vaccine is a substance that is made from dead or living pathogens. It is injected into the body through inoculation (intranasal versions have also recently been developed), which causes the body to create antibodies and, therefore, makes your cat immune to getting the disease in the future.
What vaccines does your cat motive, and on what timeline? What are the most common vaccines and what special vaccines may be needed? Find out more about common vaccines, some of the risks, and the recommended timeframe for getting vaccines to keep your cat healthy.
Vaccines
Several years ago, the VAFSTF (Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force) published a list of vaccines that were highly due for all cats. These included:
While the vaccines above are recommended for the health of all cats, others are more dangerous and present a higher risk of adverse reactions. For this reason, they are recommended only in certain instances. These vaccines contain:
Chlamydiosis: Recommended for households with multiple cats or where chlamydiosis infections have been confirmed, after vet consultation.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP): A controversial vaccine, the AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners) currently recommends against its use.
Bordetella: A recently-approved vaccine is not yet ready for common use, but may be used for multiple-cat environments on a case-by-case detail.
Gardiasis: This vaccine is in a similar state to that for Bordetella, being too new for general use but can be approved when exposure is clinically significant.
There are many different times when vaccination may not be appropriate, depending on your cat's health situation. Cats that probably should not be vaccinated include: sick cats (particularly those with weakened immune systems or chronic disease), those receiving cortisone therapy, or kittens under six weeks unless in extreme conditions. Cats over 10 years old typically do not hanker booster shots. Finally, it is believed that pregnant queens may experience stillbirths as a result of some vaccines.
No feature what the situation, always consult a variety of sources and talk with your veterinarian before making vaccination decisions.
Timeline
Kittens are oftentimes first inoculated between six and eight weeks of age. This first round of shots consists of the FVRCP, which can be a three-in-one shot and vaccinates against feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR), calicivirus, and panleukopenia virus. A booster round of shots is administered three to four weeks later and booster rounds continue until twelve weeks of age. Rabies shots, however, are not given until twelve weeks of age at the earliest.
If you adopt an older kitten or cat, their initial vaccinations are normally given in one does or two doses that are three to four weeks apart. One dose is given when the vaccine is an MLV, or two doses of a killed virus vaccine are recommended.
Once your cat has been vaccinated, they are usually put on an annual schedule of vaccinations. It is important for you, the pet owner, to keep get over of vaccinations. Although your vet's office itch keep records and do their best to remind you, it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure your cat's best health.
More recently, pet owners and veterinarians have been forgoing an annual vaccination scheme, demanded to fears about Vaccine-Related Sarcoma. This condition is most regularly caused by the rabies or FeLV vaccines. Vaccine-related sarcomas occur when cancerous tumors grow at the site of a vaccination. A small, painless lump often develops at the site of a vaccination; in rare cases, however, it progresses to a sarcoma. Pet owners are encouraged to check a vaccination site for several months after the vaccination, and schedule a vet appointment if the swelling has become a solid lump.
If your cat is an animal that spends all his time indoors, forgoing annual vaccinations may be a possibility. However, in general this tactic is not recommended and should only be considered under extenuating circumstances. Even if your cat will not be getting annual vaccinations, you should still bring him in for a check-up and testing. Be sure to thoroughly research any vaccination-related decisions and discuss the advantages and disadvantages with your veterinarian.
Before purchasing a cat or kitten for your home, make sure that one, you're not allergic to cats and secondly, your place of living allows pets.
If you aren't allergic to cats and live in a place where you are allowed to have one, then be sure to check the local animal shelter. They usually have plenty of cats and kittens that need a good home.
Often animal shelters are desperate for foster homes for mother cats and the kittens during the spring and summer. Many shelters will give you first choice in adopting one or more of the kittens you fostered.
Preparing Your Home
If you own a cat or are planning to get one, then designing the d'cor of your home will require taking several precautions in order to protect your pet from harm. Cats often love to chew plants, poisonous or not. Before bringing a cat or kitten home, verify that each indoor plant in your home is not harmful to cats.
Cats and kittens also might accidentally swallow string or any other small item. These will often obstruct their digestive system, possibly leading to expensive surgery or death. So it is extremely important that no small items are left lying around that could be swallowed.
Helping to Keep the Population Down
When your kitten is about 4 months old call your local veterinarian to make an appointment for your kitten to be spayed or neutered. Neutering or spaying your cat can help to keep the pet population under control and prevent unwanted cats that end up living on the street or being euthanized at shelters. It doesn't cost much (in our area it's $30), and also makes your cat a better pet.
Cat Toys
Toys play a major and important role in emotional and mental development of your pet. Be sure to rotate your cat pet toy(s) on a regular basis, to keep interest levels high.
There are a multitude of toys to choose from. A scratching post or cat tree, catnip, and some furry balls or mice are a good start for your cat's collection.
Cat Food ? What to Feed Your Cat
Be careful when choosing your cat's food. Natural Balance, high in protein and devoid of any toxin, is one of the best. Many commercial cat foods are filled with toxins, harshly processed, and high in carbohydrates which in no way match the natural diets cats would have eaten in the wild.
If Natural Balance is too costly for you, then be sure you at least get your food at a pet shop. Ask the workers what they would recommend, or check the ingredients yourself. A good, high-protein cat food will provide your cat with better health and a longer life. Just keep in mind that the latest findings lean towards the importance of a diet with less carbohydrates and more protein.
Conclusion ? Enjoying Your Cat
One cat is nice, but two or more is even better. Quieter than dogs, generally low-maintenance, and usually not under foot, cats make terrific pets and companions.
Both Michael Plante & Carol Stack are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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