Vaccinations prevent cats from severe diseases and infections. Vaccinations improve the immunity of cats to fight against diseases and infections. It helps them to lead a happy and safe life. It is important to have a properly vaccinated pet, as diseases and infections can spread even to your indoor cats. Knowing the importance of cat vaccines will keep your feline healthy.
How Vaccines Help Keep Your Cat Healthy
Having your cat vaccinated plays a key role in fighting against the disease before it even gets to them. Immunizations mainly help the cat’s system to stay strong and fight against infections. Sometimes, cats do not show any signs of illness. This is the reason why they are said to be suffering immediately. Along with vaccinations, pet nutrition plays an important role in strengthening your cat’s immune system and overall health.
Many viruses and bacteria can come to your home through various means, such as shoes, clothes, or even any contact with other animals. These viruses and bacteria pose a risk to your indoor cats. The main factor is that these viruses are highly infectious and are even able to cause death. Therefore, vaccinating your cat becomes an urgent necessity.
Prevention of diseases is the most evident reason to safeguard against illnesses like feline distemper, rabies, and respiratory virus that spread rapidly and threaten the health of your cat.
Vaccination for the cat at a regular cat vaccines schedule that is either made by you or your cat’s vet leads to better overall health of your pet because of the reduced risk of severe diseases and illnesses. It consequently aids in the long-term health of your pet.
Some vaccines, like rabies vaccines for cats, are a must, especially because they are the state requirement for having a cat as your pet in your house. It matters for legal purposes.
Types of Cat Vaccines and Why They Matter
Cat vaccines are of two types, the core vaccinations and the non-core vaccinations. These vaccinations are very important for your cat’s health and long-term health maintenance. These vaccines are explained as:
Core Vaccinations: Core vaccinations are the ones that are required for all cats. The core vaccinations consist of FVRCP and the rabies vaccine for cats.
FVRCP Vaccine for cats: FVRCP vaccines are very important, and they are the only way to keep your cat safe from very contagious and deadly diseases.
FVR- Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis. This virus infects the respiratory system of your cat and leads to coughing, sneezing, and watering eyes. It also causes fever and long-term health problems for your cat.
C- Calicivirus: This virus causes painful sores in the cats’ mouths. It can also cause a pneumonia-like cough and respiratory problems.
P- Panleukopenia: This is the same as the distemper vaccine for cats. It is an extremely dangerous and sometimes fatal disease that leads to vomiting, diarrhea, and fever in your cat. It also wipes out the cat’s immune system.
Rabies vaccine for cats
Rabies is a disease that always ends in death, and it can affect your cat, coming from wild animal exposure or even at home. The disease attacks the nervous system of the animal, and it is very rare that the animal will recover its health again. Rabies vaccinations for cats have been made compulsory in several states of the United States.
Non-Core Vaccinations
These vaccines are not a must for all cats. Cats can have these additional vaccines. If you take your cat to various pet boarding places or if they are part of a household with many pets, then non-core vaccines matter for them. Cats at the shelter are also given these non-core vaccines to help them be more secure against dangerous diseases.
Both vaccines are important for your pet’s safety; however, the core vaccinations are the ones that every feline should take, as they protect against the most severe and widespread diseases.
How Vaccines Work in Your Cat’s Immune System
Vaccinations come as a first line of defense for your kitty. Vaccination acts as a mild or inactive version of the virus that is put into the blood of the cat, and then antibodies are created. In case your cat is in contact with the very same virus, the immune system of the body already knows how to combat the virus. It thus lessens the probability of the disease taking place.
Vaccination makes it so that the immune system reacts quickly, lessens symptoms’ intensity, and in the end, stops the illness from developing completely. Vaccinations play a crucial part in the lives of kittens, which have an immune system that is not fully developed and is therefore very likely to get infections.
Cat Vaccination Schedule a Pet Parent Should Know
A suitable cat vaccination timetable is crucial for your cat’s health and longevity. These are the basic recommendations, by age, but the veterinarian of your veterinarian will suggest the most suitable vaccination plan according to the health and lifestyle of your cat.
Kittens: FVRCP and rabies vaccinations are the ones recommended.
Adult cats: Cats get the FVRCP booster and rabies booster vaccinations.
Old cats: The senior cats need immunity boosters to keep their immunity high since age does not lower infection risk.
Signs Your Cat May Need a Vet Visit After Vaccination
Vaccination in cats is a safe procedure, but sometimes, in rare cases, it can lead to some side effects. Keep an eye out for these signs. Cats might show mild lethargy and low-grade fever after vaccination. Your cat may develop swelling at the site of injection, and its eating habits may be altered or reduced temporarily, but eventually it will return to normal.
These symptoms are usually over within a day. If these normal symptoms do not subside in a day, a vet visit is recommended.
In addition, get the vet’s opinion if your cat experiences vomiting, swelling around the face, and trouble breathing. If you notice hives on your cat and it is very lethargic, take it to the vet right away. Such reactions are very infrequent but still might happen.
Conclusion
Vaccinations are our major weapon in keeping our cats from getting serious health problems. Vaccinations help reduce the risk of serious illnesses that may lead to advanced treatments like pet surgery. A correct cat vaccines schedule leads your pet to a healthy life. Park Hills Animal Hospital is devoted to providing every kitty with the careful and kind treatment they require. The regular vaccination is just one vital measure that can be taken to guarantee your cat lives a long, healthy, and happy life.
FAQs
Why are Vaccinations Important for the Cats Who Live Indoors?
Vaccinations are important for the cats that live indoors because bacteria and viruses can be transferred to your home, with the shoes, clothes, and other pets if you have them at home.
What Vaccines do Cats Absolutely Need?
Core vaccines are a must-have for any cat. These vaccines protect from severe diseases like rabies and FVRCP.
Do Any Cat Vaccines Have Side Effects?
Yes, there are some normal side effects, like swelling at the site of infection and low-grade fever, that can happen to your cat. But it is normal because these symptoms last for less than 24 hours. There are some specific symptoms, like persistent vomiting and swelling of the face. These symptoms are rare, but can occur.
How Long Does the Vaccination Last?
The effect of the vaccination lasts for about 1 to 3 years. It depends on the cat’s immunity, also. Your cat’s vet will make a proper cat vaccine schedule for it.
What are the Risks of Not Vaccinating My Cat?
If you do not vaccinate your cat, it will become more prone to the risk of infection development. It will lead your cat to have a troublesome life. Your cat will become seriously ill, and it could be fatal too.
