Cat Vaccinations

There are different cat vaccinations, and we can discuss these with you to establish which best suits your cat’s lifestyle.

Vaccines play a very important role in disease prevention in our cats.

  • Kitten Vaccinations

Kittens are temporarily protected against many diseases by antibodies received through their mother’s milk. These maternal antibodies decline in the first few weeks of their lives, after which they need a vaccination to induce immunity. The age at which maternal antibodies drop enough to require vaccination is highly variable, which is why a series of vaccinations is necessary in a kitten.

Our recommendation is that kittens receive their first vaccination at 8 weeks, their second vaccination at 12 weeks and their third vaccination at 16 weeks.

  • Adult Cat Vaccination

The immunity from the kitten vaccinations weakens over time and your pet can again become susceptible to disease. Annual health checks and booster vaccinations, as required, will provide the best protection for the life of your pet.

We will send you a reminder to your mobile phone one month before your cat is due for its annual vaccination. Many of the diseases prevented by vaccines can be fatal, so it is vital that all of your pets are kept up to date with their vaccinations.

  • After Vaccination Care

Following vaccination your cat may be off-colour for a day or two, or have some slight swelling or tenderness at the injection site. Access to food and water and a comfortable area to rest are usually all that is required for a quick recovery. However, if the response seems more severe, you should contact us for advice.

Infectious diseases that we vaccinate against in cats 

Feline Panleukopenia Virus 

A strain of parvovirus that is highly contagious and causes severe infection of the gastrointestinal tract, immune system and nervous system. It can cause extreme vomiting and diarrhoea. Unfortunately, it is often fatal.

Feline Calicivirus

A virus that causes severe respiratory tract infections in cats. It causes pneumonia, difficulty breathing, eye and nasal discharge and oral ulcerations that can be extremely painful.

Feline Herpesvirus

A virus that causes upper respiratory tract infections in cats. It causes sneezing, discharge from the nose and eyes, eye ulcers, fever and congestion.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

A virus similar to HIV, it can also lead to the feline version of AIDS. It prevents the animal from being able to produce a normal immune response to diseases and other foreign materials entering the body. Symptoms can include enlarged lymph nodes, fever, anaemia, weight loss and diarrhoea.