Both adult cats and kittens need
to be vaccinated, and conscientious annual vaccinating is
the only way to protect your pets from sometimes distressing
illnesses. Indeed, there might not be a cure for every virus
that your cat might contract, so prevention is the only
responsible measure to take.
Kittens receive some natural
protection from there mother. As this declines, the kitten becomes more susceptible and so it is important to see your
vet when the kitten is just a few weeks old. It should also
be noted that mothers will only pass on this protection if
they themselves have been properly vaccinated. Precautions
such as not allowing your kitten to leave the garden should be taken.
Your kitten will probably be
vaccinated after 9 weeks and then again 12 weeks after
birth depending on the vaccinations used. Since proper
protection may take about 2 weeks to come into force, it is
wise to continue to keep the kitten away from other cats.
While these vaccinations
offer good protection, it is important that your cat receives regular booster injections on a yearly basis. You
will be given a certificate of vaccination which you will be
asked to show when putting your cat into a cattery.
Diseases
Your Cat Should be Vaccinated Against:
Feline
Infectious Enteritis (Panleucopania)
This is highly
contagious and spreads very rapidly, and can remain in the
environment for very long period of time. The severity of
this disease can range from a mild fever through to death.
Cats who survive this disease may have damaged immune systems
and so are susceptible to other infectious diseases. Symptoms:
tiredness, depression, lack of appetite, abdominal pain,
vomiting, and extreme diarrhea, leading to severe
dehydration.
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