Kitten Vaccination Schedule And Cost

When Would Be The First Vaccination To Your Kitten

Ideally, kitten vaccination should be started when they are 6-8 weeks of age, this will to help protect your little ball of fluff and build their immunity from a young age. Kittens have immature immune systems and therefore, they are at a higher risk of a variety of infections.

Kittens require a series of vaccinations, every 2-4 weeks until they are around 16 weeks of age. This is because the immunity passed from their mother slowly decreases and can interfere with the vaccines.

Planning For A Healthy Future

The right vaccines will help your kitten stay protected against disease. And this is just one of many steps youll take as a new cat owner to make sure that your feline friend is set up for a long, healthy life.

After your kitten has received their vaccines, talk to your veterinarian about the best path forward for your cat whether thats choosing the right cat food, finding a great brush, or simply asking any burning questions you might have. And while youre at it, read on for more vaccination pro tips here!

Preventive care and insurance can help

While vaccines are an essential part of preventive kitten care, some illnesses can still arise. In the event that your kitty needs a vet visit, pet insurance can help you say yes to the best care possible now, and in the future.

How Much Do Kitten Vaccines Cost

Bringing a new kitten into the family involves a multitude of expenses, and vaccines are a part of them. The cost of vaccines for your kitten can vary based on a number of factors such as your location, your veterinarian, the type of vaccine, etc.

In general, however, you can expect the cost of a single vaccine to range anywhere from $25 to $50. That said, some veterinarians may offer multiple services for your kitten vaccines, an examination, and deworming, for example packaged within a single price.

The frequent vet visits involved in the kitten vaccination schedule, these costs can add up, so it can be helpful to talk to your veterinarian ahead of time if you have any concerns about vaccine pricing.

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Can I Lower My Pet Insurance Excess

You may have the option of choosing a lower excess on your pet insurance. Excess payments are made when you lodge a claim, and lowering them can save you some money should you make a claim. However, lowering your excess increases your regular pet insurance premiums.

If youre looking for pet insurance including comprehensive policies that can cover vaccinations then we can help you out. We bring policies from several insurers in Australia and put them in one place.

Our free pet insurance comparison tool lets you compare quotes in minutes from various pet insurance providers across Australia.

If So Few People Get Rabies Why Do I Have To Vaccinate My Pets

Every year in Washington, hundreds of people must undergo the series of shots to prevent rabies, called post-exposure prophylaxis or PEP, because they are potentially exposed to the virus. If we control rabies in domestic animals, we can reduce the number of potential human rabies cases. Pets are more likely to contact wild animals, such as bats, that may have rabies. Vaccinating pets is one of the best ways to protect people and pets. By reducing the risk, fewer people will need costly, and stressful, rabies treatment shots.

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Annual Booster Vs Restart Costs

If your dog has missed their annual vaccinations, you can expect to pay for a course of primary vaccines to catch them back up again. The price will depend on the clinic and you should always check with your local vet on the right thing to do for your particular circumstances.

Titre testing is a blood test that your vet can do to show which illnesses your dog already has immunity against, but it doesn’t replace vaccinations and pets will still need to have had their initial course.

“Some individuals choose to titre test following these primary core vaccines,” says veterinary surgeon Dr Sophie Bell. “This involves a blood test to look for the antibody levels. If they are moderate to high, vaccination may not take place that year but if they are low a booster will be required.

“It is important to note that some establishments such as boarding kennels, will not be able to board your dogs based on a titre test alone. They often require full vaccination history.”

There will be a cost to performing the titre test as well and it might not be lower than the cost of an annual booster.

Which Towns And Cities Have The Best Access To Vets For Cat And Dog Owners

We compared the number of cat and dog-owner households in Britains towns and cities to the number of vets registered in each location on Google Maps Business Directory to gain an idea of which locations have the easiest access to veterinary clinics.

In London, we calculated that there are 1,294 cat and/or dog-owning households for every clinic registered on Google more than any other town or city in our analysis. In contrast, the North West city of Carlisle ranks as the location with the fewest pet owners per clinic.

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What If I Adopted My Kitten

If you adopt a kitten or cat from us, they’ll be vaccinated before they leave our care. That’s one of the reasons we charge an adoption fee when we rehome an animal.

Some kittens may be rehomed before they’re ready for their second set of vaccinations. If this is the case, we’ll let you know and may arrange for you and your kitten to come back at a later date. Otherwise, you can make arrangements with your local vet.

If you’re looking to buy a cat from a breeder, take a look at our advice on what to look for when buying a kitten.

What To Expect At A Vaccine Appointment

• Your vet will give your cat a full health check to make sure they are okay to have a vaccination and if they are concerned about anything they may delay the injection until they are better.
• Your cats vaccine will be an injection under the skin. You might be asked to hold him/her still while the injection is given, but if you dont feel comfortable doing so just let your vet know.
• Vaccinations arent usually painful, but they can feel cold or sometimes sting a little, and every cat reacts slightly differently.
• If you have any questions or concerns about your cat, the vaccination appointment is a good opportunity to discuss them, for example if you think they might be gaining weight, need a worming tablet, or youre having trouble with dental care.

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Why Should I Have My Female Cat Spayed

Spaying young cats offers several advantages:

• Your cat will avoid heat periods, which usually begin at six to seven months of age and occur every two to three weeks in an unbred cat. During the heat period, female cats encourage the attention of male cats. The female cat will posture and vocalize, which can be annoying to owners so too can the presence of neighborhood male cats that mark the territory outside your house and fight off other suitors. Sometimes the natural urge to mate is so strong that your indoor cat will attempt to escape outdoors to breed.

• Spaying prevents unplanned litters of kittens that often never find suitable homes.

• Spaying prior to the first heat cycle greatly reduces the risk of breast cancer.

• Spaying prevents cancers or infections of the reproductive organs.

Spaying a cat may be a common procedure, but all surgery must be taken seriously. The correct term for spaying is ovariohysterectomy, and refers to the complete removal of the uterus and ovaries under general anesthesia. An overnight stay in the hospital may be advised to allow close monitoring during recovery and provide adequate pain control .

Protecting An Unvaccinated Cat

Full immunity develops around 3-4 weeks after the final injection in a primary course of vaccinations, but until then you will need to keep your feline friend indoors and away from cats outside of your household. Youll need to keep your cat entertained and stress-free during this time especially if they have previously been used to going outside.

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How Often Do Cats Need Vaccines

A lot of cats will start their vaccines around 6 to 8 weeks old, and you can decide to either give your cat all the different types of shots he needs at once or stagger them out. Talk to your vet to figure out which approach is best for your pet.

After your cat gets his first shot, hell need a few more doses usually two to four weeks apart until hes 16 to 20 weeks old.

What Are Core And Non Core Vaccines

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association has defined these terms as :

• Core vaccines are those vaccines which ALL cats should receive to protect them from severe, life-threatening illness. In Australia core vaccines for cats include:
• Feline herpesvirus
• Feline calicivirus
• Feline panleukopaenia

• Non-core vaccines are only required by certain cats and it depends on their geographical location, local environment or lifestyle which puts them at risk of catching specific infections.

You can discuss with your veterinarian regarding which vaccines would be best for your kitten, Vet will choose injections depending on where you live and your cats lifestyle and needs.

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The Cost Of Cat Vaccinations In Britain

We discovered that the most expensive place to get an annual booster vaccination for a cat is Surrey, where the average cost is £62.99 among the vets that we surveyed. Derbyshire ranks as the cheapest with an average cost of £29.67 for a cats annual booster.

The average overall cost in Great Britain for a cat booster including FeLV was £49.55.

Vaccination Schedule For Your Puppy Dog Kitten Or Cat

Our Recommended Vaccination Schedule for Dogs, Cats, Puppies and Kittens

Puppies and Kittens need vaccinations early in life as antibodies they receive from their mother start to decrease around 6-8 weeks of age. It is during this time that puppies need to start building their own immunity through vaccinations.

All puppies should receive core vaccines as well as certain non-core vaccinations depending on the pets lifestyle and breed.

Puppies, Adult Dogs, Kittens and Adult Cats should follow the vaccination schedule below. Discussing your pets needs and medical condition with one of our veterinarians at our clinics will help you decide what is best to help your pet live a long and healthy life.

We recommend following the pet vaccination schedule below as a general guideline. Where you live and your pet’s lifestyle will determine specific vaccination and testing needs.

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What To Expect After Vaccination

Though it is uncommon, your kitten may experience slight side effects that appear very soon after the vaccination. These include lethargy and loss of appetite, or much less commonly, allergic reactions such as skin irritation, vomiting and diarrhoea. It is best to remain at the clinic for a short period after the vaccinations have been administered so your vet can monitor symptoms.

Your Kitten Needs A Vaccination Schedule To Stay Happy And Healthy

Your little catling is a sweet bundle of pouncy, purry love one that needs your help to stay healthy, happy, and safe. One of the most important things you can do for your kittyBAE is to make sure they get their vaccinations against disease. Heres what to know about which vaccinations they need, when they need them, and how much you can expect to pay.

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How Often Should Booster Vaccinations Be Given

In the past, veterinarians recommended booster vaccinations for cats on a yearly basis. However, as we learn more about, and improve vaccines, recommendations regarding booster frequency continue to evolve. The appropriate interval for boosters will vary with individual lifestyle.

“If your cat is at higher risk for exposure to a disease, the more frequent vaccination schedule may be recommended.”

Most adult cats that received the full booster series of vaccines as kittens should be re-vaccinated every one to three years based on a lifestyle risk assessment. That is, if your cat is at higher risk for exposure to a disease, the more frequent vaccination schedule may be recommended. It is important to thoroughly discuss your cat’s lifestyle with your veterinarian and determine the appropriate vaccinations and vaccination schedule for your cat.

The AAFP vaccination guidelines recommend that low-risk adult cats be vaccinated every three years for the corevaccines, and then as determined by your veterinarian for any non-core vaccines. Some vaccine manufacturers have developed approved three-year vaccines for many of the core vaccines. It is important to note that feline leukemia virus vaccine is recommended by some AAFP members as a core vaccine, while other experts classify it as a non-core vaccine. Your veterinarian is the ultimate authority on how your cat should be vaccinated.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Vaccinations For Cats And Dogs

You can get insurance for dog and cat vaccines with comprehensive pet insurance which is the highest level of cover available if it includes the routine care add-on.

Routine care is an optional extra that allows you to claim back a portion of the cost of vaccinating your pet. Other routine treatments such de-sexing, microchipping, teeth cleaning, worming and training may also be claimed through routine care cover.

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My Cat Or Dog Doesnt Go Outside Should They Still Get Vaccinated

The decision to vaccinate your pets is up to you, though its commonly recommended by veterinarians. If you have an indoor cat or dog that doesnt leave the house, it can still potentially get sick with a preventable disease if pathogens are carried into the indoor environment. It is likely that your pet will still get some benefit out of being vaccinated.

When Should My Kitten Be Vaccinated

Vaccinations are important for your young kitten. Some infectious diseases are fatal, and vaccinations can protect your kitten from many of these diseases. In order to be effective, immunizations must be given as a series of injections at prescribed intervals, so it is essential that you are on time for your kittens scheduled vaccinations. Immunizations are started at 6-8 weeks of age and are repeated every 3-4 weeks until the kitten is 4 months old.

The routine or core vaccinations will protect your kitten from the most common diseases: feline distemper , feline viral rhinotracheitis , calicivirus, and rabies. The first three are included in a combination vaccine given every three to four weeks until the kitten reaches 16 weeks of age. Rabies vaccine is usually given once at 12-16 weeks of age.

“Your veterinarian will assess your kittens lifestyle and discuss these vaccinations with you to help you decide what is best for your cat.”

Non-core vaccines are not administered to every kitten, but are recommended in certain areas for cats with certain lifestyles. Cats that live outdoors are at more risk for infectious disease and often need these additional vaccines. One non- core vaccine for chlamydophila may be given if this disease is common in your area. Feline leukemia vaccine is recommended for all kittens that are exposed to outdoor cats, so if your kitten goes outside or lives with another cat that goes in and out, feline leukemia vaccine may be added to the regimen.

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What Diseases Can Vaccinations Protect Against

Cats are commonly vaccinated against:

• Cat flu
• Feline infectious enteritis
• Feline leukaemia virus

Your vet can advise which vaccinations your cat or kitten will need to help protect them from infectious diseases. When you get your kitten, one of the first things you should do is register them with a local vet, who will be able to carry out the vaccinations your kitten needs.

Its Cheaper In The Long Run

It goes without saying that the more times you take your pet to the vet, the more money youll have to spend. Though a cat or dog may recover from an initial bout of illness, some diseases can severely damage your pets overall health, so you’ll need to take them to the vet more frequently in the long run.

For example, FeLV can seriously impact your cats immune system and make them much more likely to pick up other diseases and develop health issues like anaemia and cancer. A case of parvovirus can cause dogs to have problems with their organs and immune system down the road, too.

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What Are The Core Vaccines That My Kitten Must Have

Your kitten must be vaccinated against the following diseases:

• Cat flu: caused by various pathogens, including feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus . Cat flu affects the eyes, mouth and airways.
• Feline panleukopenia virus : an often-fatal viral infection causing diarrhoea and vomiting.
• Feline leukaemia virus : this suppresses the immune system, leaving the infected cat highly vulnerable to other diseases.

Your vet will be able to assess your kittens risk profile and the best age for vaccination. They will draw up a vaccination programme specifically suited to your kitten and their needs.

Vaccination Myths Vs Reality

Myth: Once Ive had my kitten vaccinated theyre immune for life.

Reality: Unfortunately, this isnt true. Its important to have your cat vaccinated every year to maintain his or her immunity against disease. While most brands of vaccines dont need to include all the viruses every year, your kitten will need an annual booster against at least one of the viruses every year.

Myth: Feline leukaemia is rare, so my cat wont need that injection.

Reality: Sadly, feline leukaemia is still a common cause of early death in young cats in the UK. Its especially prevalent in urban areas and among unneutered animals. What I often see in my surgery is that kittens living in multi-cat households are also at risk.

Myth: Vaccinations make my pet feel poorly.

Reality: In my view, this is extremely unlikely. All feline vaccines are a modified form of the disease that they protect against and adverse reactions are very rare. Some kittens may be a little quiet and off food for 24-48 hours, but this is a fairly normal reaction to a vaccination very similar to how we might feel after routine jabs. Anything more severe should always be reported to your vet.

Myth: My kitten is never in contact with other pets, so it wont need to be vaccinated.

Myth: Pets are given boosters too often.

Myth: I missed giving my pet a booster last year, but I can just give him/her one this year instead.

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