Cost Of Kitten Vaccines
Each vaccine costs roughly $25 to $50 depending on the manufacturer and where you live. Your kitten will also usually need a physical examination to make sure that they are healthy enough to get vaccines.
The initial examination is usually with the veterinarian, and follow-up exams are either with the vet or a certified technician. The cost for the initial exam can range from $40-$60 on average. The follow-up visit cost might be lower with a technician.
Dont Wait To Vaccinate Your Cat
If you wait to give your cat a vaccination, you are putting yourself at risk of serious illness and even death. It is possible to become ill with cats if you do not provide them with vaccines, including feline leukemia, cat AIDS, and feline immunodeficiency virus . This illness is not uncommon, and it can lead to death. It is critical that you vaccinated your cat as soon as possible in order to protect them from these diseases.
How Often Does My Cat Need To Be Vaccinated
Vaccination schedules will depend on your cats lifestyle and age. Ideally, kittens wont yet have been exposed to diseases. This means they will need a series of injections known as a primary course to build up their immunity. Once your kitten has had their first round of vaccinations, your local Greencross Vets will help you to decide the best long-term vaccination program to keep your furry feline in top health.
Don’t Miss: Is There A Vaccine For Monkeypox
Can I Trim My Kitten’s Toenails
Kittens have very sharp toenails that can wreak havoc on cat owners and their furniture. You can trim your kittens nails with your regular fingernail clippers or with nail trimmers specifically designed for cats, but you must do so carefully. If you take too much off the nail, you will cut into the quick which will result in bleeding and pain.
Here are a few helpful pointers:
- Cats often have clear or white nails, so you can see the pink quick through the nail. This is a small pink triangle visible near the base of the nail. If you avoid this pink area, you should be safely away from the quick.
- When cutting toenails, use sharp trimmers. Dull trimmers tend to pinch or crush the nail and cause pain even if you are not in the quick. A good set of human nail trimmers are often sufficient. Many larger clippers meant for dogs do not trim cats nails well and can cause splintering of the nails.
- Have styptic powder on hand in case bleeding occurs. These products can be purchased from pet stores or your veterinarian. In an emergency, a bar of soap can be used to help stop the bleeding.
- Playing with your kittens feet and rewarding her with treats after nail trims is a good way to help encourage good behavior for future nail trims.
If you are unsure about trimming your kittens nails, ask your veterinary healthcare professionals for help. They can teach you how to make the procedure easy and painless for you and your kitten.
Most Vaccine Reactions Are Mild
Injection-Site Reactions From Vaccines
A lump at the injection site is usually self-limiting, causing mild pain, itching and/or swelling. These occur infrequently.
Rabies vaccines are probably over-represented in this category.
Long-Term Injection-Site Reactions From Vaccines
Dogs will occasionally develop hair loss or discoloration at the site of a vaccine, usually rabies.
If a lump from a vaccine lasts longer than 13 months, it should be biopsied or removed and biopsied.
Cats, in particular, can develop a vaccine-induced tumor. Advances in vaccine development make these serious tumors in cats rare.
Systemic Reactions From Vaccines
Some pets will develop lethargy or mild fever from a vaccine lasting a short time. These reactions are commonly reported to the vet.
More serious reactions, like GI, neurologic, or arthritic symptoms, are very rare. These typically resolve in a few days. Some pets require supportive care.
Allergic Reactions From Vaccines
Acute swelling, usually of the face or ears, or hives on the body, can usually be controlled with antihistamines. Severe anaphylaxis or death can occur in very rare instances.
Don’t Miss: How Does The Vaccine Work
What Vaccinations Should I Make Sure My New Kitten Has
Vaccinating your kitten helps protect their health, making it vital that they are placed on the right vaccination program at the appropriate age.
There are several vaccines available, and in general terms they can be split into two categories:
- Non-essential vaccines
Core vaccines are recommended for all kittens and cats regardless of their lifestyle, while non-essential will be recommended depending on the risk of exposure to the specific disease or virus.
Your vet is the best person to recommend the most suitable vaccination program for your kitten’s lifestyle.
When You Visit The Kitten
Before committing yourself, always visit the kitten and meet its mother in the place it was bred. They should stay with their mothers until they’re around 8-9 weeks .
A kitten should be sociable and alert, with bright eyes and no visible health problems. Work through our Kitten Checklist to help you remember what to look out for and ask, such as:
- Can you see the kitten with his/her mother?
- Is the mother healthy? Friendly?
- Are there many other cats or litters of kittens in the home?
- Is the kitten’s environment clean?
- Does the kitten look healthy?
It’s worth bearing in mind that purebred cats can be more prone to health problems. In addition, don’t buy a kitten younger than six months old from anyone other than the breeder. Not only is it illegal, it’s a warning sign that the kitten could be illegally farmed.
Don’t Miss: How To Get Gardasil 9 Vaccine
Kitten Vaccination Schedule: A Guide For New Cat Owners
Reviewed by Dr. Sarah Wooten, DVM.
Congratulations on your new kitten! All of the snuggles, playtime, and endless joys of having a feline friend in your life are finally here.
As you cross off items on your new kitten checklist, one of the most important things you can do for your new family member is to take them to the veterinarian for their kitten examinations and vaccinations.
Vaccinations are essential for protecting your kitten from certain illnesses and preventing the spread of disease. In this article, well walk you through kitten vaccine basics, tell you what to expect at your first check-up, and give you a sample cat vaccination schedule to follow.
What Diseases Can Vaccinations Protect Against
Cats are commonly vaccinated against:
- Feline infectious enteritis
- Feline leukaemia virus
Your vet can advise which vaccinations your cat or kitten will need to help protect them from infectious diseases. When you get your kitten, one of the first things you should do is register them with a local vet, who will be able to carry out the vaccinations your kitten needs.
Recommended Reading: Is There A Vaccine For Rsv
What Are Ear Mites
Ear mites are tiny parasites that live in the ear canal of cats where they cause itching. The most common sign of ear mite infection is vigorous and persistent scratching of the ears or shaking of the head. Sometimes the outer ear canal will appear dirty and contain black debris.
Your veterinarian will examine the ear canal with an otoscope that magnifies the tiny mites, or will take a small sample of the black debris and examine it under a microscope. Although the mites may crawl out of the ear canals for short periods, they spend the majority of their lives within the protection of the ear canal.
Ear mites are easily transmitted between cats and dogs by direct contact. Kittens will usually become infected if their mother has ear mites. If one pet in the household has ear mites, it is advised to treat all of your pets. Successive applications of topical medication to the kittens ear or skin will eliminate ear mites .
Can A Vaccinated Cat Still Catch Cat Flu
Although vaccinations provide excellent protection, none can guarantee 100% cover. So yes, theoretically, a vaccinated cat could still catch cat flu, but it is significantly less likely. In addition to this, if a vaccinated cat catches a disease they have been vaccinated against, they are likely to develop less symptoms and have a much quicker recovery.
Don’t Miss: Is There A Vaccine For The Common Cold
Should I Space Out My Flu And Covid Booster Shots
Judging from how the flu has roared back in Australia and other countries south of the Equator, experts are predicting a particularly nasty season for the U.S. this winter. At the same time, many Americans are also making plans to strengthen their defenses against COVID-19 with the omicron-specific booster, but should they be taken at the same time?
Experts say theres no danger in taking them simultaneously. With COVID already spreading and peak flu season still months away, some people may choose to wait on the flu vaccine.
It depends on how reliable you find yourself to be,Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, told Nexstars WGN Radio. What do I mean by that? If one does want to put off getting the influenza vaccine and wait towards the latter part of October first part of November, thats a good strategy for people were not seeing that much influenza yet but youve got to be able to rely on yourself, you got to to remember to go in and actually get the influenza vaccine.
Kopin emphasized that everyone who qualifies to get the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine should go ahead and get it to protect against the omicron strains that are already circulating across the country. So if you know theres a chance youll forget to go back for the flu vaccine, Kopin recommends getting them together.
So too, does the White House.
Do Kittens Need Booster Vaccinations
Immune system memory drops over time and a good way to check is with Vaccicheck, which can measure some immune responses. Speak to your Medivet vet about Vaccicheck. Theres no way to measure immune responses for all diseases vaccinated against should your cat be exposed to a virus or bacteria, which is why they will need boosters for ongoing protection. Some vaccines will need annual or three yearly booster vaccinations . Talk to your vet to plan your kittens boosters.
On top of that, as cats age, just like humans, immune response can be slower and less effective. Annual vaccinations offering them a helping hand in the fight against serious disease.
You May Like: How Many People Have Been Vaccinated In Maryland
Vaccines Truths And Myths
As with many medical interventions, there is often a misunderstanding of the benefits and risks of vaccination. This misunderstanding can sometimes lead well intentioned cat owners to make misinformed decisions about this vital aspect of feline health maintenance. Here are some examples of truths and myths regarding feline vaccination.
Truths:
- Vaccination protects all cats by making disease transmission less likely
- No vaccine is 100 percent effective, and the effectiveness of different vaccines varies
- Although uncommon, all feline vaccines carry the risk of feline injection site sarcoma
Myths:
- Vaccinating a cat against a disease can treat that disease
- Vaccinating a cat against a disease causes that disease
- All cats should receive every vaccine available for cats
What We Know About Vaccine Reactions
First of all, we dont truly know how common vaccine reactions are because there is no requirement to report reactions.
People often dont call the vet if they are not too worried about a vaccine reaction in their pets, and vets are not mandated to report vaccine reactions to manufacturers.
A few retrospective studies track vaccine reactions:
- One study published by the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found a reaction rate of 38 per 10,000 pets. This number included all kinds of reactions, mild and serious.
- Another study of 57,000 dogs found a low incidence of any type of reaction, about 5 per 1,000 dogs.
- In a study of 500,000 cats, vaccine reactions were 51 per 10,000 cats.
Don’t Miss: What Does The Prevnar Vaccine Protect Against
Myth: Pets Are Given Boosters Too Often
Your vet will never prescribe vaccinations unnecessarily. Instead, theyll get to know your kitten to assess them and their needs on an individual basis, in order to determine the precise vaccines to be given. Your vet will also determine the right amount of time to leave between vaccines according to your pets age, their potential exposure to diseases and the type of vaccine to be given.
When Should Kittens Be Vaccinated
Your kitten will need two sets of vaccinations to get them started – their first set at nine weeks old and a second booster set at three months old. After this, kittens and cats usually need ‘booster’ vaccinations once a year.
Until your kitten is fully vaccinated , you should keep him or her inside.
Recommended Reading: Can I Get The Tdap Vaccine At Cvs
How Kitten Vaccinations Work
Kittens receive a series of vaccines over an 8- to 12-week period beginning at between 6 and 8 weeks of age. Some vaccines might be given together in one injection that is called a combination vaccine. At your kitten’s first veterinary exam, your vet will discuss a vaccination schedule as well as other treatments, such as deworming and beginning parasite prevention.
The vaccine injection itself is typically not very painful. Your kitten may feel a little pinch or sting, but many do not react at all.
At the first vaccine visit, your veterinarian will do an examination before vaccinating your kitten. Vaccines should never be given to a kitten with a fever or illness as the vaccine will not be effective. Giving a vaccine to a sick kitten can actually make her feel worse.
After a vaccine is administered, immunity is not immediate. It takes about seven to 10 days after the second vaccination to become effective. However, kittens with remaining maternal antibodies for that disease will not be affected by the vaccine. There is no way to be certain if a kitten still has maternal antibodies, so boosters are necessary. True immunity is uncertain until about 16 to 18 weeks of age, or until all kitten boosters are completed. Avoid exposing your kitten to unknown animals until all vaccinations have been given.
What Diseases Do Vaccinations Protect My Kitten Against
There are many diseases out there which could make your kitten severely ill, but vaccinations will protect them from most of these. Depending on their lifestyle, they may not need every jab but you should always consult your vet for the best advice on what they need.
- Feline parvovirus FPV, also known as feline panleukopenia, is often fatal in kittens. The disease attacks the gut and immune system causing diarrhoea and vomiting.
- Cat Flu – There are two viruses which cause cat flu – Feline Herpes Virus and Feline Calicivirus . Just as human flu can make you feel pretty bad, cat flu can lay your pet low for a while. However, cats can become lifelong carriers of the disease, suffering regular flare ups. Its particularly dangerous, and sometimes fatal, for kittens.
- Feline Leukaemia Virus FeLV, which attacks the immune system and causes cancers, weight loss, vomiting, lethargy, and diarrhoea. FeLV damages the immune system, meaning theyll require lifelong specialist care to keep them cancer free for as long as possible.
- Rabies Rabies is a virus which is fatal to both animals and humans, attacking the brain and nerve cells. The UK has been rabies-free since the early 20th Century but its still prevalent in other parts of the world so your kitten will need a vaccination if you intend to travel abroad with them.
Recommended Reading: How Long Does It Take For Vaccinations To Be Effective
Your Cat Counts On You For Protection
One of the very best things you can do to give your cat a long and healthy life is to ensure that he/she is vaccinated against common and serious feline infectious diseases. Your cats mother gave her kitten immunity from disease for the first few weeks of existence by providing disease-fighting antibodies in her milk. After that period its up to you with the help and advice of your veterinary surgeon to provide that protection.
Keep A Happy Home With Feliway
A calm, supporting environment can help your cat feel safe, happy and healthy. Using a FELIWAY OPTIMUM Diffuser in the rooms where your cat spends the most time can help to support them, by releasing calming messages that reduce kitty stress and prevent signs of discomfort such as spraying, scratching or hiding.
Read Also: Are Macbooks Protected From Viruses
What To Expect After Vaccination
Though it is uncommon, your kitten may experience slight side effects that appear very soon after the vaccination. These include lethargy and loss of appetite, or much less commonly, allergic reactions such as skin irritation, vomiting and diarrhoea. It is best to remain at the clinic for a short period after the vaccinations have been administered so your vet can monitor symptoms.
What Diseases Can You Catch From Your Cat
Its not common for humans to catch diseases from their cats, but it does happen. These types of diseases are referred to as zoonotic diseases. Small children, pregnant women, the elderly or sick are more susceptible to the transmission of disease from cats, due to their vulnerable immune systems. These zoonotic diseases include worms, ringworm, giardia, toxoplasmosis and cat scratch diseases.
Healthy tips for cat owners
You can reduce the risk of zoonotic disease by:
- Washing your hands frequently
- Cleaning out litter trays regularly
- Disposing of faeces in the tray quickly
- Washing your cats bed if it is soiled or dirty
- Isolating infected cats
Don’t Miss: Where To Get Std Vaccines