Kitten Vaccinations

suri

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Apr 5, 2010
Messages
79
Purraise
1
Location
Tacoma, Washington
I have an appointment for a new kitten next week for an exam and
his first shots. I've never done this before. I don't know what
shot he needs and will be given. I know It would be series of shots in different time periods. The vet would know of course. But I want to know what shots
he will be needing within his first year. I heard the feline leukemia vaccine has big risks. I kinda don't want to give him that one because I'm afraid of a bad outcome but I'm not sure what to do.

What vaccines do you give your cats?
 

cutekittenkat

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
1,562
Purraise
3
Location
Canada
I'm not sure myself what vaccines, but just a suggestion would be to try posting this in the cat health section too. They will probably have some good suggestions too

Good luck with your new baby!
 

white cat lover

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Nov 17, 2005
Messages
22,206
Purraise
35
I only do distemper & rabies shots. If kitty is indoor only, IMO, there is no need for the leukemia shot.
 

otto

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 7, 2008
Messages
9,837
Purraise
197
I agree, if you are keeping the kitten inside, he does not need a feline leukemia shot.

My cats get the Purevax rabies shot annually (yours will need the kitten shots first of course, then the annual booster)

Again, after kittenhood, they get the distemper vaccine (will show up on your bill as RCCP or some variation) every three years, until they get to be about 10, then I stop the distemper.

I recommend you have your new kitten tested for FeLV/FIV at his first check up, and again at six months old.

Do not accept an FIV vaccine, ever. Not only is it basically useless, your cat will always test positive for FIV after the shot, and this could end in tragedy if he ever got lost and was rescued by a shelter.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

suri

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Apr 5, 2010
Messages
79
Purraise
1
Location
Tacoma, Washington
Yeah, kitten will be inside all the time.

Okay, Ill do testing first.
So, the first shot would be a distemper shot then an 2-3weeks later get a booster shot?

Later get rabies shot and follow up on the distemper shots?

and no feline leukemia shot or the FIV vaccine!

What about FIP?
 

otto

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 7, 2008
Messages
9,837
Purraise
197
There is only one licensed FIP vaccine available; however, this vaccine has minimal if any effectiveness in preventing FIP, and it is not generally recommended by the American Association of Feline Practitioners Feline Vaccine Advisory Panel.
source:http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/fip.html

I trust Cornell sources. I trust Cornell with my cats very lives,( and have had ample opportunity to do so, unfortunately.)
 

jen

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 27, 2001
Messages
8,501
Purraise
3,009
Location
Hudson, OH
Originally Posted by Suri

Yeah, kitten will be inside all the time.

Okay, Ill do testing first.
So, the first shot would be a distemper shot then an 2-3weeks later get a booster shot?
Yes! That is right, the booster is important. Some vets want to give more after that, it is kind of up to the individual vet as far as that goes. I personally think it seems a little unnecessary to keep going with more vaccines every 3 weeks or so.

Originally Posted by Suri

Later get rabies shot and follow up on the distemper shots?
Yes around 5-6 months typically.

Originally Posted by Suri

and no feline leukemia shot or the FIV vaccine!

What about FIP?
I wouldn't do any of those three.
 

mews2much

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 19, 2007
Messages
13,424
Purraise
27
Location
Central Valley,California
Make sure you do not do Leukemia,Fip and Fiv shots even if the vet pushes.
I would do the Distemper 3 in 1 shots then the Rabies shot at 4 months.
I use the Purvax Distemper and Rabies shots.
I would get the leukemia test though.
 
Top