What vaccinations does a Scottish kitten need?
Vaccinations are given against the following infections: panleukopenia (distemper), rabies, feline chlamydia (not to be confused with human), rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, leukemia, infectious peritonitis, lichen, feline immunodeficiency, etc. Vaccination does not protect against infection 100%.
However, if infection does occur, the risks of complications for the body will be minimal, even with plague. And, most likely, symptoms will not even appear. What vaccinations are given to Scottish Fold and Straight-eared kittens in veterinary clinics and what vaccinations really need to be done are not exactly the same thing. Answering the question of what vaccinations a Scottish kitten must have, we will not name all of the ones listed below, but only panleukopenia, calicivirus and rhinotracheitis. Vaccination against rabies is also considered mandatory, but it is necessary, not always based on common sense, but because... This is required by law in most countries.
Panleukopenia (distemper)
Distemper is an extremely contagious and fatal disease. And vaccines against it are generally well tolerated. Therefore, it is definitely necessary to vaccinate an animal, even if it never leaves the house. After all, plague can be carried on shoes. In addition, this vaccine, according to the legislation of most countries, is mandatory.
Calicivirus infection
Calicivirus infection is a contagious respiratory disease with very unpleasant symptoms and a 30% chance of death. This virus is easily transmitted from one cat to another, so it is advisable to vaccinate against it. This vaccine should not cause any serious complications.
With regular revaccinations, it is better to administer different strains of this virus to cats that are not carriers of calicivirus (the strain is written in the description of the drug). This recommendation is due to the fact that the calicivirus mutates quickly. Injecting an outdated strain will help build immunity against a large number of similar strains, but many will remain undetected. Then, when encountering new strains, the cat may get sick, although it was previously vaccinated.
Rhinotracheitis
This unpleasant disease can be fatal. Therefore, the vaccine against rhinotracheitis is considered one of the main ones given to cats.
Rabies
By law, every owner is required to vaccinate their pet against rabies. However, in fact, this is mandatory for those who have access to the street or communicate with animals on the run. In other cases, it is necessary to weigh the risks of getting sick with the risks of complications after vaccination, because they are significant. In 4 cases per 10 thousand vaccinations after an injection against rabies, cats develop sarcoma (cancer). There are other, less dangerous, complications.
Feline leukosis
The leukemia vaccine is not safe or 100% effective, so you need to weigh the pros and cons before using it. Vaccination is recommended only for cats living in conditions with a high risk of infection: they roam freely on the street or live next to infected animals.
Chlamydia
Feline chlamydia (not to be confused with human chlamydia) causes inflammatory reactions. Vaccines against it protect not from infection, but from clinical manifestations of the disease. This vaccine, like the drug against leukemia, is recommended only for those cats that live next to already infected animals. The drug can cause a large number of unpleasant complications, and immunity from it is not stable. However, manufacturers persistently include this component in quadrivalent vaccines: panleukopenia + calicivirus infection + rhinotracheitis + chlamydia. It is the latter component that, as a rule, causes negative reactions from the cat’s body. If there are no infected people around your cat, choose trivalent vaccines instead.
Infectious peritonitis
Infectious peritonitis usually ends in death. Infection occurs through the fecal-oral route, but not all cats that receive the virus become ill. Those who do get sick will most likely die. There is currently no evidence that the peritonitis vaccine induces lasting immunity, so it is not recommended despite the seriousness of the disease.
Lichen
The vaccine against lichen also gained notoriety, because. There is no reliable evidence that it works long-term. But the injection for lichen causes many side effects. Therefore, such drugs are used mainly only in the treatment of lichen, but not for prevention.
What are Scots vaccinated against?
Veterinarians recommend vaccinations for all kittens without exception, including isolated animals that do not leave the house.
Vaccination is an effective preventive procedure that prevents the risks of contracting the most dangerous diseases with serious complications and death.
What infections should a Scots cat be vaccinated against:
- Rhinotracheitis is feline herpes, an acute viral disease that affects the upper respiratory tract and visual organs. Infection occurs after contact with an infected animal and through household contact. The virus is also transmitted hereditarily from a mother cat to a kitten. For adult animals, rhinotracheitis is not so dangerous, most often the prognosis is favorable. But for small kittens there are real risks of death. That is why it is very important to carry out timely vaccination against this disease according to the calendar.
- Calcivirosis is a viral disease that affects the respiratory system. The virus, resistant to various influences, is transmitted to domestic cats in different ways. Most often, this disease affects animals in nurseries and shelters, where maintenance rules are not followed and premises are not regularly disinfected. According to statistics, mortality from calcivirus among unvaccinated kittens is observed in 30% of cases.
- Chlamydia is an infectious disease that is often asymptomatic. The insidious virus affects the respiratory system, digestive organs, eyes and reproductive system. The disease is severe and has a high risk of complications. Infection occurs through shared food, contact with a sick animal, airborne droplets and sexual contact.
- Leukemia is a viral disease that affects the immune system of cats. The disease is difficult to treat and has a high risk of death. The infection is transmitted from infected animals by contact, with saliva, shared food, water, etc. The only way to protect your domestic kitten from this dangerous disease is to carry out timely vaccination!
- Panleukopenia is an acute infectious disease that affects the intestinal mucosa. Infection occurs in different ways: contact, household, airborne droplets. A cat owner can also bring a dangerous virus into the house along with dust on shoes or clothes. The treatment is complex. For vaccinated animals, the prognosis is often favorable, but kittens that are not vaccinated against panleukopenia, in most cases, die from an insidious virus that attacks the cells of the bone marrow and immune system.
- Rabies is a deadly disease transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal. Even a person can get rabies if they are bitten by a sick cat. To date, there is no effective treatment for this disease. All animals infected with rabies are doomed to death. The only protection against this terrible disease is vaccination according to age.
In addition to basic vaccinations, a Scottish kitten can receive additional vaccinations against other infectious diseases at the request of the owner and the recommendations of the veterinarian.
Vaccination rules - what you shouldn’t forget
Before you go to the doctor or vaccinate yourself, you need to make sure that the baby is completely healthy and alert:
The pet must be active and cheerful; He must certainly have a good appetite; The cat's body temperature should be normal (in cats, normal body temperature is considered to be 38-39 degrees Celsius); The animal should not sneeze or cough; During a visit to the veterinary clinic, the doctor should once again check the cat’s health. Talk to your veterinarian about when to give your first vaccination. This depends on several factors, so only a professional can give you the right advice; Before injections, the kitten must be given anthelmintic drugs. You can vaccinate 10 days after this
It is important to choose a high-quality, proven vaccine; inexpensive, but untested options can irreparably harm your pet’s health.
It is best to vaccinate kittens in veterinary clinics, where specialists can take responsibility for the life and health of the animal.
Vaccination rules:
Only completely healthy kittens can be vaccinated; It is forbidden to give injections to pets after contact with a sick animal; After vaccination, the pet cannot undergo surgery for 21-25 days; After surgery, the cat cannot be vaccinated for 3 weeks; After taking antibiotics, vaccination is allowed only after 14 days; The vaccine should not be given while teeth are changing; It is important that the vaccine does not expire; You cannot vaccinate an animal less than 8 weeks old; The kitten should not be in a stressful state - it should not break free from your hand, scream, etc.
After vaccination, you need to monitor the kitten’s condition: is it active, what is its appetite?
After any injection, the pet may suddenly become lethargic, lose appetite, and its body temperature may rise.
The effects of vaccination disappear within a few hours, this time depends on how strong the baby’s body is at the time of vaccination.
The most common vaccines and their features:
- Nobivac Tricat is a dry combination vaccine. It is areactogenic and creates immunity in the cat against diseases such as panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, and calicivirus infection. Administered subcutaneously or intravenously at at least 12 weeks of age.
- “Leukorifelin” is a vaccine consisting of two parts - dry and liquid, which are mixed before administration. It is highly immunogenic. From 3 months you can administer the same drug, which also induces immunity against rabies, it is called “Quadricat”.
- “Felovax-4” is a complex vaccine that does not provide immunity against rabies. Given to kittens aged 8-12 weeks. It allows you to create immunity for a period of no more than 12 months, so you need to strictly monitor the timing of revaccinations, which should be carried out once a year.
Forgetting about vaccinations is strictly prohibited, especially if they form immunity against dangerous diseases such as rabies.
Remember that no one will vaccinate your pet better than an experienced veterinarian who knows which drug is right for your pet, how best to administer it and what dose to take.
He will tell you at what age kittens are vaccinated and will be able to carry out the vaccination correctly.
Self-medication can seriously harm your pet.
Forgetting about vaccines is also strictly prohibited, especially if they form immunity against dangerous diseases such as rabies.
Every owner must remember that vaccination cannot be carried out on a sick animal or a cat that has not taken anthelmintic drugs.
May your pet always be healthy and energetic and give you joy every day!
When to vaccinate kittens: vaccination rules
Every kitten owner should know when to vaccinate kittens, what diseases a kitten is vaccinated against in the first months of life, and what you need to know before vaccination.
Schedule
Absolutely all Scots, regardless of ear shape (Scottish Fold or Scottish Straight), need regular vaccinations. The age at which the first vaccination is given depends on the type of feeding the kitten is fed.
Babies who feed on mother's milk receive immunity from the cat, so they are given the first vaccination at 3 months. Kittens that have already switched to artificial feeding are vaccinated at the age of 2 months.
Revaccination is carried out according to schedule.
Vaccination schedule for Scottish kittens:
Disease prevention | Age of primary vaccination (in weeks) | Revaccination | Subsequent vaccinations |
Rhinotracheitis | 8-12 | After 21 days | Annually |
Panleukopenia virus (distemper) | 8-12 | After 21 days | Annually |
Calicivirus | 8-12 | After 21 days | Annually |
Chlamydia | 8-12 | After 21 days | Annually |
Rabies | 12-14 | Need not | Annually |
Leukemia | 8 | After 12 weeks | Annually |
First vaccinations for Scottish kittens
In order for a Scots kitten to benefit from the first vaccination, it is important to carry out the preparatory procedures correctly!
Procedures that include preparation before vaccination:
- It is necessary to undergo an examination by a veterinarian for any diseases (the health of a Scot is the most important condition);
- Two weeks before the vaccine, you need to perform deworming (for worms);
- Also, two weeks before vaccination, treat the Scotsman against fleas and ticks (the second and third points can be combined by choosing a complex anthelmintic drug in accordance with the age and weight of the kitten).
How can a veterinarian help your kitten?
Veterinary doctors specialize in providing medical care in a comfortable home environment that only the owner can create. This is why administering injections at home is so important. After the injection, the cat can immediately fall into the hands of a caring owner, who will console him and, of course, give him a treat. Having a doctor visit your home is very convenient, just check out our advantages:
- You don't waste time visiting the veterinary center.
- You can get modern doctor's help.
- Avoid nervous sitting in line.
- You can communicate more productively with a specialist.
All these advantages prevail over the advantages of staying in a regular veterinary clinic. It is very convenient that you can donate blood, if necessary, at your home. Of course, preparation for analysis will also be required, but that’s a completely different story. Caring for straight-eared and lop-eared kittens is slightly different because lop-eared kittens have a weaker immune system. A veterinarian from our Ya-Vet center will also give recommendations on caring for the kitten in the period after the vaccine.
Rules and vaccination system
There are certain rules when vaccinating cats:
- the cat should be vaccinated only in a veterinary clinic;
- vaccination deadlines must be observed;
- do not increase the dose recommended by the manufacturer;
- Only healthy animals are vaccinated.
Approximately 14–15 days before the proposed vaccination, you should begin to closely monitor your pet’s behavior. His condition must meet the standards. You should especially monitor your appetite, stool, and activity. 10–14 days before the expected date of vaccination, it is necessary to carry out a procedure to rid the pet of worms.
Before each vaccination of a cat, a deworming procedure is necessary; drugs for this are sold in veterinary pharmacies.
When should you not vaccinate your cat?
There are a number of conditions that can become a categorical prohibition for vaccinating an animal. Thus, you cannot vaccinate animals that:
- pregnant or breastfeeding kittens - the vaccine can harm embryos and babies, vaccination should be done no later than a month before mating;
- are undergoing or have just completed a course of antibiotic treatment - after using these drugs you must wait several weeks;
- have been in contact with a sick animal and are in the initial phase of the disease;
- have undergone surgery (this could be sterilization, castration, or operations associated with any diseases) - at this time the cat’s body spends energy on restoring vital resources; additional stress on the immune system can have a detrimental effect on the animal’s health.
Vaccination and revaccination schedule
When a veterinarian designs a vaccination schedule, factors such as:
- the kitten’s place of residence (house or street);
- what vaccinations his mother had and when they were given;
- possibility of contact with infected animals;
- well-being of the region in terms of diseases.
The generally accepted vaccination scheme looks like this:
- The first vaccination is given against calcivirus infection, rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia and calcivirosis (comprehensively, in one injection). The vaccination is given upon reaching 8–10 weeks of age.
- Upon reaching 12 weeks of age, the cat is vaccinated against rabies.
- Revaccination after the first vaccination against infections should be done after 2–4 weeks.
- All subsequent vaccinations are carried out at intervals of 12 months from the date of vaccination.
Table: cat vaccination scheme
Disease | Primary vaccination | Secondary vaccination | Annual vaccination |
Ringworm (trichophytosis and microsporia) | 8 weeks | 10 weeks | Every year |
Infectious peritonitis | 16 weeks | 20 weeks | Every year |
Chlamydia | 8–10 weeks | After 2–4 weeks | Every year |
Rabies | 12 weeks | 1–3 years depending on the vaccine | |
Panleukopenia (feline distemper) | 8–10 weeks | After 2–4 weeks | Every year |
Rhinotracheitis | 8–10 weeks | After 2–4 weeks | Every year |
Calcivirosis | 8–10 weeks | After 2–4 weeks | Every year |
Vaccination timing may vary. The procedure will depend on the specific drug. Each manufacturer includes instructions that prescribe specific timing for the administration of primary vaccination and revaccination. The instructions also contain a list of reactions that the vaccine causes, as well as recommendations in case complications arise.
To vaccinate or not to vaccinate?
Whether your cat gets infected or not depends not so much on his health as on chance. For example, the causative agent of distemper (panleukopenia) is carried into an apartment on shoes, is not washed off when washing the floor, is not killed by disinfectants and attacks the animal, leaving practically no chance for it not to get sick. There are other, less terrible, but also unpleasant infections. Therefore, the cases of families where cats lived for years without vaccinations should not become an example for you. It's more likely just luck.
Another question is that the cat’s body’s reaction to a particular vaccination may be different. Some cats have allergies and may react to the vaccine with laryngeal swelling, vomiting, diarrhea or itching. But such cases are rare, about 1%, and allergy symptoms are easily eliminated.
In most cases, the first few hours after vaccination, the cat may suffer from drowsiness, apathy, loss of appetite and lethargy. But this condition usually lasts no more than a day and is absolutely normal. At this time, the pet does not need to be disturbed: most likely, it will just sleep.
In addition, vaccinations are a prerequisite for traveling to other countries, because At the border, your pet will undergo veterinary control. That is why information about vaccinations is included in the veterinary passport, which is issued by the animal doctor. Keep this document.
Of course, there is also the material side of the issue. Vaccinations must be of high quality, and high-quality material costs money. Typically, one shot costs approximately $2-$10, depending on the manufacturer. But if you compare this figure with the check for the cat’s treatment, the amount is simply ridiculous.
Kitten's reaction to the vaccine
Immediately after your British cat's vaccination, the following changes may occur:
- there is lethargy, apathy and slowness in movements;
- excessive sleepiness of the animal;
- lack of appetite;
- allergic reactions are possible.
If kittens are vaccinated on time, the reaction indicated in the last paragraph is very rare. Since in most cases the cat tolerates vaccination easily. And after 6-7 hours or, in extreme cases, a day later, it returns to its previous state
. If you still notice some symptoms (swelling of the throat), you should immediately contact a veterinarian.
For the undersigned, she explains why the vaccination process is undoubtedly questionable. Gary's theory establishes the acquired knowledge that when a person becomes ill, inflammation around the inflamed area promotes healing. Gary argues that inflammation actually prevents us from recognizing foreign substances and, as a result, acts as a hiding place for invading agents.
All prosperous cancers are surrounded by inflammation; According to common sense, this is a reaction of the body aimed at fighting cancer, but it is not in these terms. If Gary is right, the inflammatory process so often stimulated by the vaccine is not, as has already been said, necessarily a positive symptom. Conversely, it may be a sign of the fact that a viral or bacterial component or adjuvant present in the vaccine is being hidden.
Calendar of first vaccinations for Scottish Fold
The first injection of Scottish kittens is carried out no earlier than 1.5 months of age. The reason for this is feeding on mother's milk. An adult cat is vaccinated and passes on to its offspring specific antibodies that protect the kitten. If administered too early, the antibodies will neutralize the vaccine and the injection will be wasted, without bringing any benefit to the cat.
Statistics show that vaccinating too young is not good for kittens
To avoid this, veterinary clinics recommend vaccinations at 11-12 weeks, following the schedule, repeated after 3 weeks and in the following order according to the calendar:
- from rhinotrachitis;
- panleukopenia;
- calcivirosis;
- chlamydia.
The rabies injection is given at a different time period - at 12-14 weeks, and also does not require a second dosage.
Vaccinations should be given to a pet only after diagnosis by a veterinarian and only in an animal clinic.
What vaccinations are given to Scottish kittens and when?
Feeding, watering, bathing, and paying attention to the animal are the main tasks that face people who have decided to bring a pet into their home. The responsibility that falls on the shoulders of the owners with the appearance of a four-legged furry pet in their home includes mandatory care for their health
The first thing that may be required is vaccinations, which must be done on a strict schedule.
Vaccination for domestic cats
All animals, without exception, are at risk of contracting dangerous viral diseases. Moreover, not only kittens can suffer from illnesses, but also people living in the same house with the animal. Since only vaccination can protect a cat from diseases, veterinarians, first of all, advise pets to undergo it.
Many people are surprised to ask the question: is it possible for kittens to become infected if they have never been outside? A positive answer has the following explanation
For example, within the yard, some animal (no matter a cat or a dog) went to the toilet. His feces containing the virus were washed away by the rain, spread across puddles, the ground his owners once walked on
Dirt was brought into the house, and the furry baby could simply play with the laces and contract the disease.
At what age should an animal be vaccinated?
Kittens of rare breeds, such as Scottish Fold, undergo routine procedures at an early age. Meanwhile, doctors do not claim that vaccination will definitely protect the animal from infection. However, all vaccinations that are performed in veterinary clinics can minimize to zero all the possible consequences of the virus entering the body.
Discussions, the reason for which is the need to vaccinate kittens, have not subsided for quite a long time. And yet, doctors and breeders of shaggy little brothers have come to the conclusion that it is necessary to administer the first stage of vaccination to kittens at three months of age. Animals that have not reached this age threshold have the advantage of temporary innate immunity, so the kitten should not be vaccinated immediately after birth. Protection from harmful microorganisms is transmitted to babies from the mother cat.
Preparation before vaccination
A couple of weeks before the first vaccine is scheduled, the animal must undergo a mandatory check for the presence of parasites and undergo deworming if necessary. Whatever vaccinations are prescribed, the animal must be absolutely healthy. Most vaccines will not be able to help the body develop sufficient immunity if the internal organs are affected by parasites. By missing such an important stage of preparation before vaccination, there is a huge risk of infection of the pet even after the introduction of implanted artificial immunity. Do not be surprised if the veterinarian refuses to vaccinate due to the presence of worms.
You can get rid of helminths by purchasing special medications for animals at any pharmacy, which are usually given only once a couple of hours before feeding. Contraindications to vaccination include a kitten's loose, unformed stool, weak appetite or its complete absence, and the presence of liquid or purulent discharge from the mucous membranes of the eyes and nose.
Types of vaccines for kittens
Complex vaccinations, which are given to kittens at three months of age, do not contain a vaccine against rabies, the most common and dangerous disease among pets. But the first stage of vaccination will protect your furry pet from the viruses of panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis and calicivirus. Often, the first trivalent vaccine also includes antibodies that help in the fight against chlamydia in adult cats. After some time, when the vaccine takes effect, revaccination is usually done using the same drug. This will help the kitten’s body to quickly develop lasting immunity against a specific disease.
The next stage of vaccination is vaccination against a disease that affects stray animals - rabies.
Moreover, it is important not to miss the opportunity to perform such a procedure for those owners whose pets will be outside the city and walk the streets on their own. A popular vaccine for domestic cats is an injection that subsequently protects against ringworm and microsporia.
It is usually carried out last. Thus, by 8-9 months of life, the kitten will have strong immunity to many infectious diseases. After all, forewarned means forearmed.
Preparing for vaccination
Every owner remembers when to vaccinate their British kittens. But some time before this, preparations for vaccination need to be made. And the first thing to do is to remove helminths from your pet.
Doctors and veterinarians do not have time to study all the side effects of each drug: most of their knowledge comes from representatives of pharmaceutical companies; they also have to worry about the income that comes from their business, and no one can know everything. Additionally, some fresh graduate veterinarians who attend our Canine Health course have only been informed of the positive effects of these medications. Patients and clients, on the other hand, find no other time and are often the motivation to seek out their own illnesses or those of their children and pets, as well as prescribed medications.
In the case of small British pets, they need to be bathed with a special shampoo, while adults can use the appropriate products.
And the last stage is an examination by a veterinarian on the day of vaccination. He will evaluate the condition and appearance of the cat, since animals must be completely healthy during this procedure. British kittens are also vaccinated.
Even if we don't have the same qualifications as health professionals, we all know much better what happened in the past. We have a mind and know how to use it, and since the decision is ultimately ours, we have a responsibility to take care of ourselves and our loved ones. Too often, however, pet owners are forced to conduct research after their kills have died.
My goal, and that of Canine Health Concern, is to provide information before the tragedy is consumed. In truth, if we only realized the true extent of love expressed by animals for humans, we would be grateful to them, and no effort to protect them would be excessive. The Science of Vaccine Damage.
Is it mandatory to vaccinate a Scot?
Many people believe that if a kitten does not go beyond the boundaries of the apartment, then vaccinations are completely unnecessary. One can argue with this opinion.
Regarding the broad-spectrum vaccine, it should be said that it prevents a fairly large number of infections and viruses. However, some cat owners are convinced that their pets are completely protected within the confines of an apartment or house. But it is worth noting that the owners themselves leave the apartment, go outside, and go to visit places where there are other pets or free-roaming animals.
This all leads to the fact that people themselves are able to bring the infection or virus directly into their home, for example on shoes, hands or clothes . In such conditions, a kitten or adult cat can easily become infected.
What about the rabies vaccine? Carriers of this virus are found both among wild animals and among domestic animals (street or homeless). Rabies is transmitted by a bite.
Where can your Scotsie get the rabies virus? For example: at animal shows; when moving or traveling; in case of mating; when visiting a veterinary center; if you have other, unvaccinated, free-roaming pets in your home. In addition, mice and rats with the rabies virus are rarely, but still found (this information is especially relevant for people who live in private homes).
© shutterstock
Of course, everyone decides for themselves whether their four-legged friend needs to be vaccinated or not, but by vaccinating a Scottish kitten, you thereby protect his life and health.
Vaccines dead and alive
It is known what vaccinations a Scottish kitten needs. But which vaccine to give preference remains unclear. There are different types of vaccines for cats.
- Dead (inactivated vaccine), prepared from bacteria and viruses killed by high temperatures and chemical exposure. This type of vaccine is completely safe for animals, since its content is a dead environment.
- Live, prepared from weakened viruses and bacteria. Once in the animal’s body, microorganisms begin to develop, thereby developing natural resistance to infection.
A dead vaccine is used for rabies; both live and dead vaccinations can be used for infectious diseases. Regardless of the type of vaccination, the vaccination has the same effect on the animal’s body - it protects it from possible infectious diseases. Whether or not to vaccinate a Scottish kitten is a purely individual decision. Veterinarians recommend vaccinating the animal in any case, because some infections can not only kill the pet, but also be transmitted from the pet to its owner. Vaccination is the only effective protection against many diseases.