Until fairly recently, cats, such as dogs and people, were subject to disease and possible departure from what are now preventable diseases. The lives of millions of cats have been made healthier and longer through the use of vaccines that prevent or mitigate the effects of various pathogens. Even if your cat goes outdoors or comes into contact with another cat, it’s possible to inadvertently bring viruses into your home on your shoes or clothes. Protecting your indoor, in addition to your outside cat against severe illness is the sign of a responsible and caring pet owner. 

The very best way to make sure that your kitten or cat is well shielded against preventable ailments is to set up a routine schedule of vaccinations with your veterinarian. Always bear in mind that kittens will probably be much more vulnerable to infections because their immune systems are still growing. But this natural protection will actually interfere with vaccinations, and this is why kittens will need a string of shots to supply them with maximum protection.

Veterinarians generally begin vaccinating kittens when they are between 6 and 8 months old. To assure that your kitten is well shielded, he or she’ll receive the following vaccinations about once a month until they are approximately 20 months old. The rabies vaccine is often delayed until the embryo from the mother kitty is gone.

Adult cats require vaccine booster shots once a year for most diseases. Although it is possible that you administer the majority of these vaccines at home, by law rabies vaccinations will always be done by a vet.

Vaccines work to prevent disease by programming the cat’s immune system to recognize a pathogen and ruin it. When your cat receives a vaccination, damaged or dead live viruses are put to the animal. This enables the body to become knowledgeable about this pathogen, so that should your cat be subjected to the particular virus, the body can ruin it before it has the opportunity to trigger illness.

These viruses tend to happen over and above, and at the time can seriously hurt the eye, even causing blindness. Additionally, these viruses may lead to chronic breathing problems. Humans cannot catch these viruses in their own cats.

Rabies is deservedly among the most feared diseases on earth. Basically incurable and always fatal, this disease affects the central nervous system resulting in seizures, extreme salivation, shocking, uncontrollable aggression or anxiety, and blindness. Spread by bite, rabies could be acquired by individuals from an unvaccinated cat with the illness.

Panleukopenia is a horrible ailment that will hit kittens the hardest. A kitten or cat that’s lethargic and has fever and diarrhea may well be infected with this virus. People cannot catch this disease from their cats.

Feline leukemia mostly affects cats that go outdoors. But in case you have many cats and allow even one to roam outdoors, all the cats could become sick with this viral illness. Cats with feline leukemia will suffer weight loss, fever, anemia, and listlessness. Alas, many cats with feline leukemia don’t survive.

Feline calicivirus is a relative newcomer on the scene and often occurs in conjunction with other respiratory viruses. Calicivirus will cause, along with the typical respiratory symptoms of sneezing, coughing, and discharge, sores in the mouth and on the tongue; it has also been linked to arthritis. This disease will sometimes mutate to a more serious form that can impact and cause damage to multiple organs and organs in your cat’s body.

Vaccines for the aforementioned illness are considered to provide ‘core defense’ for your furry friend. Unvaccinated cats are at the risk of chronic conditions or departure from diseases that could be easily prevented.

It’s quite true that side effects can happen when your cat is vaccinated. Fortunately, generally, the cat may run a small fever or become fussy to get a day or two. At times, a knot will form at the site of the injection, and when this does not vanish within a few weeks, your vet should have a peek at it. There is also an extremely slight chance of a severe allergic reaction to a vaccination, which is why your veterinarian may ask you to stay in the clinic for a few minutes to ensure that no such response is happening to your furry friend.

Rabies vaccines are the most likely to cause problems. A mast cell tumor can create in which the vaccination was given. On the other hand, the harshness of rabies and also the chance of your infected cat spreading the virus to you and your loved ones should overrule any anxieties you might have about the negative effects of the vaccine.

Protection & Prevention

Preventive maintenance is the very best healthcare that your pet can get. That is why at Spring House Animal Hospital, we do everything in our power to keep common diseases and ailments from developing in the first location.

Coupled with frequently scheduled routine exams, vaccinations and parasite prevention are at the base of your pet’s regular healthcare.

With thorough preventive maintenance, your pet will have the very best chance at a long, healthy life. Our staff will work closely with you to develop a habit preventive care plan for your dog or cat, tailored for their particular needs.

By minding regular pet vaccinations and parasite prevention, our Ambler veterinarians can help you safeguard your dog or cat from a wide range of serious diseases and disorders. Visit them here or check their website for more information.