Is your cat up to date on its vaccinations? There are several shots your cat needs to stay healthy and live a long life. Some vaccines are even required by law. Even if you had your cat updated on its shot a few years ago, it will need boosters for the vaccines it got. Come see us at Cat Care Clinic of the Nyacks if you live in the Nyack area but anywhere from Rockland or Bergen County. We will give your cat the best care possible, so you can enjoy many years with your furry friend.
Age Cats Should Start Receiving Vaccines
You should start vaccinating your young kitten early to help it avoid potentially long-term or fatal illnesses. For kittens, you will need to bring your cat to a veterinarian for vaccines multiple times between 6-16 weeks of age.
Between 6-8 weeks, your cat needs one FVRCP shot. It will need another FVRCP between 10 and 12 weeks. At 14 to 16 weeks, your cat needs its final FVRCP shot as a kitten. Each year after, it will need boosters of both rabies and FVRCP. Vets give kittens the feline leukemia virus vaccine (FeLV) as a core vaccine in two doses three to four weeks apart. The final dose comes a year later.
This set of vaccines and boosters is critical for the health of your pet, but if you adopted a stray cat or don't know its vaccine history, it's never too late to start it on the right path. Talk to our vet about an appropriate schedule of vaccines for your older cat.
Core Vaccines for Your Cat
All cats need certain vaccines to prevent illnesses common among felines that could be dangerous for them. These required shots are called core vaccines.
The Feline Vaccination Advisory Panel of the American Association of Feline Practitioners recommends the FVRCP as a core vaccine for all cats. The FVRCP covers three conditions:
- Feline Panleukopenia (FPV)
- Feline Calicivirus (FCV)
- Feline Rhinotracheitis Virus/Herpesvirus 1 (FVR/FHV-1)
While the organization does not include rabies in its core vaccines, it is required by law throughout the country. You must have your cat vaccinated against rabies as part of its core shots.
Additionally, the group wants all cats vaccinated against feline leukemia virus (FeLV) once before age one and a booster shot after one year. Subsequent boosters for this condition are non-core depending on the cat's lifestyle and risks exposed to.
Non-Core Shots Your Cat May Need
Non-core shots are those given based on whether your pet has risk factors for the conditions. The following shots are considered non-core:
- Feline leukemia virus in adults
- Bordetella
Talk to your vet to see if your cat needs any of these vaccinations.
Schedule a Visit With a Veterinarian
Get your cat the shots it needs to remain healthy and stay legal. Contact us at Cat Care Clinic of the Nyacks at (845) 353-6369 if you live anywhere in the in the Nyack area but anywhere from Rockland or Bergen County. You can also submit our online contact form for non-emergency questions. Let us help your cat stay as healthy as possible. Contact us today.