Nyx's first vet visit since coming home...

I adopted Nixie 3-4 days ago from the humane society. She came with 2 weeks worth of free vet visits and her 1st appointment is today @ 2:30pm. Her and my other cat Stella will both always be indoor cat, and they are both spayed. This is a list of everything the rescue had done when she was in there care:

- Negative leukemia and feline aids test when she was about 2 months

- Distemper when she was about 1 month

- Dewormed at about 1 month

- 1 yr. rabies at 2 months

- Spayed at 2 month

I believe its okay to spay kittens 8 week + right? Rabies seems too earlier though and so does distemper at 4 weeks old? I read it should be give between 9-11 weeks   It doesn't say she had any boosters so I have no clue what to do about that... I know I have another kitty but she had all that done 5 years ago and the vet clinic that I got her from took care of everything for her. So right now I'm just trying to figure out what exactly I need to bring up to the vet. I don't want to get a bunch of vaccines she doesn't need, because like I said, she will be an indoor only kitty. However, from having dogs my whole life it was in my understanding that both puppies and kittens need boosters. Something doesn't add up right. I don't think they could have messed up her age because she obviously still has a lot of growing to do. Is is normal for rescues to administer everything earlier? I would appreciate any feedback.

Hi!

Distemper vaccine is usually given as part of the 3 in 1 vaccine known as FVRCP and needs to be given 3 times, 3 to 4 weeks apart.  Usually its done at about 8, 12, and 16 weeks but you could start it at 6 weeks. Prior to that isn't recommended.  You should have a written record of exactly what was done and when to show your vet.  If she really got FVRCP your vet might decide to start all over with that vaccine....  Then she gets a booster at one year, and then it can be 3 years before you re-booster.  Some vets think you can go even longer and that immunity may be 6 years.

The rabies vaccine is usually given later, closer to 6 months I believe.  Because of the cancer risk associated with the rabies vaccine, you may decide with your vet not to give this again if she is going to stay indoors.  If you feel you must keep giving it then consider the 3 year vaccine.

Being spayed at 2 months (2 lbs) is fine and commonly done now.

Good luck with your visit!

She should not have received the rabies vaccine at 4 wks. She should be 12-14 wks old. I encourage you to double check this. If they did give it that early, ask WHY.

Our rescue does not give the first round of FVRCP until 9 wks of age (our vets also recommend this.). It has been show than giving the vaccine before 8 weeks is nearly pointless because most kittens still have immunity from the momma cat...this nulls the vaccine. However, I do know of other organizations that give the vaccine earlier due to communal living.

I agree with stephenq...you need to "restart" the FVRCP vaccines. But, do discuss all of this with YOUR primary vet first.

Vaccines in kittens are usually as follows:

Fvcrp (Distemper combo) 6-8 weeks, again at 10-12 weeks, again at 14-16 weeks

Leukemia 10-12 weeks, again at 14-16 weeks

Rabies 14-16 weeks

If she did indeed have a Rabies shot at 2 months old it is virtually ineffective she will need another one at a minimum of 12-14 weeks of age.  All vaccines should be boostered again in 1 year from the 3rd set of kitten vaccines.  Leukemia normally is only given to outdoor cats or cats that are at higher risk (if you foster etc).