Kitten Vaccination Schedule

Vaccination is the single most important investment that you can make in your adult cat's future good health.  The following are diseases for which we routinely vaccinate:

ยง               Feline Panleukopenia Virus: Also known as feline distemper, Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV) is a severe and very contagious multisystemic disease which most commonly strikes young kittens. FPV is spread in a fashion similar to feline viral rhinotracheitis.  FPV causes anorexia, depression, high fever, persistent vomiting and diarrhea and progressive dehydration.  Additionally, FPV lowers the cat's white blood cell count which leaves the cat defenseless against secondary bacterial infection.  Treatment for FPV is supportive and includes IV fluid therapy, and antibiotics.  Treatment is often not effective.

ยง               Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis:  Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR) is a highly contagious upper respiratory disease caused by feline herpesvirus-1.  FVR is spread by direct contact between cats and by contact with contaminated cages, grooming tables, human hands and clothing and contaminated food and water dishes. FVR causes depression, anorexia, fever and nasal and ocular discharge.  Eye lesions are common. Treatment is usually supportive and includes antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infection.

ยง               Feline Calicivirus:  Feline Calicivirus (FCV) is a highly contagious upper respiratory disease that is similar to feline viral rhinotracheitis.  It causes many of the same symptoms without eye lesions and with the addition of oral ulceration.  Treatment with antibiotics helps prevent secondary bacterial infections.  Supportive care is also often necessary.

ยง               Chlamydia Psittaci:  Chlamydia is a bacteria that causes a milder upper respiratory infection. It also causes eye infections.

ยง               Feline Leukemia Virus: Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is a severe and often fatal disease which affects the cat's immune system and can lead to lymphosarcoma and lymphoid leukemia.  FeLV is spread from cat to cat by grooming, sharing feed and water dishes and sharing litter boxes.  Symptoms of FeLV are variable and may include repeated infection, loss of appetite, weight loss, coughing, anemia and many others.  There is no effective treatment for FeLV at this time.  Cats should be blood tested for FeLV before their first FeLV vaccination.

ยง               Rabies Virus:  Rabies virus also infects humans and is fatal to humans.  Rabies is 100% fatal to cats and there is no treatment. Tucson has a relatively high incidence of rabies virus in its wildlife, especially bats. Rabid bats are often sick and outside during daylight. They are attractive and easy prey for cats.  Your kitten should have its first rabies shot at four months of age.  Your kitten's first rabies shot is good for one year and each subsequent shot is good for three years.

Your Kitten should begin its series of vaccinations at 6-8 weeks of age.  The following is the kitten vaccination schedule that your kitten should be on:

ยง                6-8 weeks old: first ENTRCC

ยง                9-12 weeks old: second  ENTRCC, FeLV blood test and first FeLV

ยง                16-18 weeks old: third ENTRCC, second FeLV and Rabies

The final group of vaccinations, given at 16-18 weeks of age, give long term immunity that lasts for a full year.  After completion of this series of kitten vaccinations, your adult cat will need an ENTRCC vaccine and a FeLV vaccine every year. Your kitten will need a rabies vaccine in one year and every three years there after.

Internal Parasites

There are several types of worms that infect and live within cats bodies.  These worms threaten the health of your kitten and several of them can be spread to you and your family.  Kittens can be born with worms or pick them up by eating infected soil and grass or by eating infected animals (rodents and others). Worm eggs can live in soil for years.  There are several types of worms.  The most common worms are roundworms, tapeworms and hookworms, plus the protozoans (giardia and coccidia).  Fecal exams of fresh feces are used to determine whether your kitten has worms.  The sample is examined microscopically to determine the exact type of worm(s) present.  Appropriate medication will be prescribed to these parasites from your kitten's body. Remember that it is very important to remove these parasites from your kitten to ensure sound growth and good health.

 Common Conditions

ยง               Fur Balls:  Cats get these from licking and grooming themselves. Ingested hair forms balls within the stomach.  Symptoms include persistent vomiting, usually producing hair.  Medicated petrolatum products can be used as a preventative.

ยง               Ear Mites:  A species of mite (Otodectes cynotis) may infect your kitten's external ear canals.  These mites lead to excessive shaking of the head and scratching of the ears.  Excessive self trauma in the form of scratching can lead to hematomas within the pinna (the floppy part of the ear) and other problems.  Ear drops, available through your veterinarian, are used to eradicate these mites.

 Dietary Management

High quality dry kitten feeds are recommended until your kitten is 10-12 months old.  At  this time, an adult cat feed should be used.  Your kitten may be fed free choice as long as it does not over eat; most cats are able to be fed in this way.  If not, kittens should be fed all the food that they will eat in 15-20 minutes three times per day.  Adult cats should be fed all they will eat in 15-20 minutes twice per day.  Do not feed your cat dog food as cats and dogs have different nutritional requirements.  Feeding cats table scraps should be discouraged as this leads to finicky eaters as well as nutritional deficiencies.

Spaying and Neutering

We encourage that all cats be spayed or neutered at 16 weeks of age.  There are many health benefits to these procedures.