Greencross Vets Why does my cat need vaccinations?
Just like us, regular vaccinations for pets are essential to their ongoing health. Vaccinations protect your cat from contagious and preventable disease. Some of these diseases can be fatal and many don’t have a cure, so vaccinating your cat is very important to keep them safe and healthy.
Which diseases do vaccinations protect my cat from?
The F3 vaccine provides protection against the following three viruses. This is referred to as a ‘core vaccine’ in Australia.
- Feline Panleukopenia Virus
- Feline Herpes Virus
- Feline Calicivirus
In addition to the above, for cats that are outdoors, unsupervised and could potentially interact/fight with other cats, it is worth discussing protecting your cat with the following non-core vaccinations.
- Chlamydophila felis
- Feline Leukemia Virus
- Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
Learn more about these diseases here.
How often does my cat need to be vaccinated?
Vaccination schedules will depend on your cat’s lifestyle and age. Ideally, kittens won’t 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.
Kittens – core vaccination schedule
A tailored vaccine program can be developed with your local Greencross Vets team. We recommend the following schedule for kittens.
- 6 to 8 weeks old – first vaccination
- 10 to 12 weeks old – second vaccination
- 14 to 16 weeks old – third vaccination
Adult cats – booster vaccinations
A tailored vaccine program can be developed with your Greencross Vets clinic.
- Cats require booster vaccinations to ensure long-term immunity against contagious diseases. The first adult vaccination is given one year after your cat’s 14-16 week vaccination and it is usually recommended to continue giving a vaccination once every year to maintain effective protection.
- Your friendly Greencross Vets team will work with you to determine the most suitable ongoing vaccination program guided by your cat’s lifestyle and environment
- If your cat is exposed to the outdoors or other neighbourhood cats, consider incorporating the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) vaccine (+/- other non-core cat vaccinations discussed above) into your cat’s program (this can be given from 8 weeks of age).
Ongoing
Your local Greencross Vets team will determine the most suitable ongoing vaccination program guided by your cat’s lifestyle and environment.
Unvaccinated pets are at risk of contracting serious diseases. Keep your furry friend safe and speak to your local Greencross Vet today about the best possible vaccination program for your feline’s ongoing health.
