Ensuring your cat or kitten is properly vaccinated is essential for their long-term health. At Vets on Parker in Melbourne, we provide comprehensive vaccination programs to safeguard your adult cat or kitten from serious and potentially life-threatening diseases.
Why Is It Important To Vaccinate Your Cat?
Kittens and adult cats are vulnerable to various infectious diseases, many of which are highly contagious. Even indoor cats can be exposed to harmful viruses through brief interactions with other animals or contaminated surfaces. Core viruses can lead to long-term health issues and may be fatal, particularly for unvaccinated cats, kittens, or those with compromised immune systems.
Vaccinating your feline friend is essential for safeguarding their health and reducing the spread of these illnesses. Additionally, all boarding facilities require up-to-date vaccinations for admission.
What We Vaccinate Against
At Vets on Parker, we provide core cat vaccinations against the following serious viruses:
- Feline Panleukopenia Virus — a life-threatening and potentially fatal virus that disrupts blood cell production in the bone marrow and damages the intestines, causing vomiting, diarrhoea, and reduced nutrient absorption.
- Feline Herpes Virus — an infection that affects the upper respiratory tract and eyes, producing chronic flu-like symptoms that can persist or re-emerge during periods of stress.
- Feline Calicivirus — a highly contagious virus that affects the upper airways and eyes, causing ulceration of the tongue, mouth, and respiratory tract, along with painful eye swelling and high fevers. All strains can be life-threatening for kittens, while more virulent strains pose significant risks to adult cats as well.
Additional Vaccination for Outdoor Cats:
For outdoor cats, vaccination against Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is recommended. FIV can weaken your cat’s immune system, resulting in chronic health issues like flu symptoms, dental disease, and poor coat condition. FIV-positive cats often have shorter life spans due to increased disease susceptibility. The virus is primarily transmitted through bites from infected cats.
Cat Vaccination Schedule
Following the proper vaccination schedule is essential for building your cat or kitten’s immunity:
Initial Vaccination Schedule for Kittens:
- First vaccination: 6–8 weeks old
- Second vaccination: 10–12 weeks old
- Third vaccination: 14–16 weeks old
Annual Booster:
Once your cat completes the initial series, they will need annual vaccinations to maintain immunity.
FIV Vaccination Schedule:
For FIV, your cat will need three boosters spaced two weeks apart. Ideally, your cat should complete the course before being allowed outdoors. Since the vaccine is not 100% effective, testing may be recommended if your cat has been involved in a fight. Cats that test positive for FIV should not roam freely outdoors to prevent the spread of the virus to other cats.
Please note that Manningham Council now has a 24-hour cat curfew, requiring all cats to be confined within your property boundary at all times.
Book an Appointment
At Vets on Parker, we make it easy to keep cat vaccinations up to date. Whether it’s your kitten’s first round of vaccinations or a routine annual booster for your cat, our team is here to ensure your furry family member stays protected.
Book your cat’s vaccination appointment today and give them the best start for a long and healthy life!
FAQs
It’s generally advised to delay vaccinations if your cat is under the weather. For personalised guidance, please reach out to Vets on Parker.
If your cat is overdue for vaccinations, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. They will assess your cat’s health and create a catch-up vaccination schedule.
Kittens can typically go outside seven to ten days after their final vaccinations, provided they have received all initial doses and passed a health check. However, Vets on Parker recommends that cats remain indoors or be confined to an appropriate cat enclosure. This helps prevent injuries from being hit by cars, getting into fights with other cats, and hunting local wildlife.
Please note that Manningham Council now has a 24-hour cat curfew, requiring all cats to be confined within your property boundary at all times.
