The drug Multifel 4 for cats is a vaccine prescribed to prevent calicivirus, chlamydia and a number of other pathologies in pets. The instructions for the drug indicate that it is equally effective in both adults and newborn animals. However, the medication must be used taking into account its characteristics and contraindications.
general information
The vaccine for cats Multifel 4 is supplied to veterinary pharmacies and pet stores in the format of an injection solution. The liquid has a clear or slightly cloudy consistency. During prolonged storage, a sediment forms on the surface of the bottom of the bottle with the medication, which should easily break up when shaken. The color of the solution ranges from pink to yellowish.
Since the maximum tightness of the medicine must be ensured during storage, it is placed in glass bottles with a volume of 1 or 3 ml. Glass containers are closed with rubberized stoppers.
Through them you can draw the solution into syringes. Additionally, the bottles are packaged in polymer packs or cardboard boxes, but in pharmacies they are sold individually.
Dosage and timing of vaccination
The Russian vaccine manufacturer, the international holding Vetbiohim Group of Companies, produces the drug in transparent 1 ml bottles and 3 ml ampoules. The vaccine itself can be either clear or cloudy. Don’t be confused by the color (yellow or pink) and sediment at the bottom of the bottle - shake the bottle until the sediment dissolves before use.
NOTE!
If the time of vaccination occurred during the cold period of the year, the ampoule must be heated to a temperature of 36-38°C.
- The first vaccination is given to a kitten at the age of 8-12 weeks. To do this, 0.5 ml of the vaccine is injected subcutaneously in the area of the shoulder blades;
- The second injection follows 3-4 weeks after the first;
- The third - when the animal is one year old;
- All subsequent ones - once a year.
It is probably important for you to understand what to do if for some reason you missed the re-vaccination deadline?
If you miss a booster immunization, just do it as quickly as possible!
Features of use and storage
The shelf life of the drug is 12 months from the date of manufacture. The temperature should be in the range from +2 to +8 degrees Celsius.
During storage, the packaging with the solution should be protected from exposure to sunlight.
It is necessary to refrain from using the medication in the following situations:
- traces of mold appeared inside the bottle;
- the integrity of the packaging is compromised;
- a precipitate or flakes have formed inside the solution that do not collapse when shaken;
- there is no label or information about the manufacturing company on the package;
- There is no manufacturing date or expiration date on the medication packaging.
If the vaccine has not been used within 24 hours, it must be thrown away, having been disinfected in advance. For this purpose, the liquid must be boiled for 15-20 minutes. After such treatment, no specific measures need to be taken.
Composition and action
The Multifel 4 cat vaccination contains neutralized viral strains, that is, it contains processed and killed strains. Therefore, the medication is considered safer than an activated vaccine and is much less likely to cause side effects.
The developers included 4 types of viruses in the injection solution , which are most often observed in representatives of the cat family:
- chlamydia;
- calicivirus;
- herpesvirus;
- parvovirus.
In addition to inactivated viruses, the injection mixture contains aluminum hydroxide. This substance is intended to stimulate the body's immune response to killed viruses.
If the vaccine is administered correctly, it will not lead to complications. A persistent immune response against infections is developed 2-2.5 weeks after the vaccination procedure and is not lost for 12 months.
Experts note that this vaccine does not have a direct pharmacotherapeutic effect and is used only to prevent infectious complications.
Indications and instructions for use
The medicinal activity of the drug is explained by its unique composition. The vaccine is used to prevent the development of the following diseases in cats:
- chlamydia;
- infectious form of rhinotracheitis;
- panleukopenia;
- calicivirus.
It is undesirable to neglect vaccination with this medication, since the diseases presented can be fatal. In some cases, even the Multifela 4 vaccination does not provide a 100% guarantee of safety, but in the event of infection, vaccinated cats cope with infections much easier and recover as soon as possible.
Medication injections are given intramuscularly . In some cases, the veterinarian prescribes subcutaneous administration, but this technique increases the risk of developing an inflammatory process in the injection area.
Primary vaccination is carried out for small kittens, whose age ranges from 8-12 weeks. A second injection is performed after 3-4 weeks. The interval between procedures is necessary in order for a stable immune response to viruses to form in the pet’s body. Revaccination is preferably done at 10-12 months. Adult pets are vaccinated at least once annually. The single dosage of the medicine is the same for everyone and is 1 ml. The amount of medication used does not depend on the breed, body weight and age of the animal.
Vaccination is carried out in accordance with technology. It is forbidden to skip procedures, as this will negatively affect the infectious defense of the cat’s body.
It is recommended to do deworming 1.5-2 weeks before the procedure. If parasites are present in your pet's body, complications may arise. Anthelmintic manipulations should also be carried out for those animals that do not walk outside.
Veterinarians note that the drug Multifel 4 has good compatibility with the Rabifel vaccine (for rabies) and Leominor (for viral leukemia).
When vaccinating, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- Before the procedure, the drug must be heated to above room temperature. This is necessary to minimize pain.
- Before drawing the injection solution into a measuring syringe, the bottle must be thoroughly shaken so that the mixture acquires the most uniform consistency possible.
- If the drug is drawn into a syringe through a rubberized cap, the latter must be treated with medical alcohol so that dirt and bacteria do not penetrate into the medication.
Do not mix the drug with other drugs in a common syringe. Each medication requires its own syringe.
Description of the vaccine
Multifel-4 for cats and kittens is an associated complex vaccine containing formalin-inactivated (neutralized) strains of the following groups of viruses: rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, calcivirus, causative agents of chlamydia (Chlamydia psittaci). , NARVAK NPO Russia.
It is used for animals during preventive immunization and further annual revaccinations. It is worth noting that the veterinary drug does not have a therapeutic effect, therefore, in case of infection of a pet, it is not used in veterinary practice for the treatment of infectious diseases.
Multifel-4 for cats is one of the most effective domestically produced veterinary medications for the prevention of the following infectious diseases in cats:
- chlamydia;
- panleukopenia;
- viral rhinotracheitis;
- calcivirosis.
The most dangerous viral disease for cats is panleukopenia or “feline plague”, which often causes death in pets. Infection occurs by contact, aerogenously, through household items. The virus affects the nasopharynx, regional lymph nodes, gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system, and other internal organs. Therefore, veterinarians recommend using Multifel to prevent cats from becoming infected with the dangerous causative agent of this infection.
After administration of the vaccine, cats and small kittens develop stable specific immunity to the infectious bacterial diseases listed above within 13-14 days. The immune response is formed as a result of the production of antibodies in the body of animals.
Important! After administration of the drug Multifel-4, immunity persists for one year. Revaccination is carried out annually, every 12-14 months.
Multifel-4 for cats is available in the form of an injection solution. The liquid has a pink-grayish color, a loose sediment that completely dissolves when shaken. Each package contains 10 ampoules of 1 ml (dose).
Vaccine Multifel-4
In veterinary practice, the Multifel-4 vaccine is used to vaccinate cats of various age groups, regardless of breed. The veterinary product is absolutely low-toxic and absolutely safe for animals. According to the instructions, it can be used to vaccinate kittens starting from three weeks of age.
Contraindications and negative effects
The instructions for the drug indicate that it has a number of contraindications. The manufacturer states that the medication is prohibited for use in the following situations:
- in kittens under 2 months of age;
- with significant depletion of the cat’s body;
- in the presence of infectious diseases.
Vaccination should only be carried out on healthy pets. Before injection, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian and undergo a thorough examination of the animal. This will prevent possible complications and evaluate the effectiveness of the upcoming vaccination.
Sometimes after vaccination, a cat develops swelling and pain in the injection area. Such symptoms go away on their own within a few days.
Application procedure
The drug is prescribed by a veterinarian as a preventive measure; sick or weakened cats are not subject to vaccination. The regimen for using the drug does not depend on the age of the animal :
- Kittens (8-12 weeks) receive the first injection, and after 3-4 weeks - a second one, the dosage in both cases is 1 ml, breed and weight have no effect. The protection begins to “work” two weeks later.
- Repeated injection of Multifel is performed at 12 months. The dose is also 1 ml.
- Adult cats, regardless of age, are injected with the drug annually (1 ml).
- If the kitten has not been vaccinated at the specified age, then vaccination is acceptable at any time according to the same scheme: the first injection (1 ml), after 4 weeks - the second. Next, injections are given to the animal on an annual basis.
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It is extremely undesirable to violate the scheme, since this significantly reduces the effectiveness of the preventive measure. If re-vaccination for any reason has not been carried out after 4 weeks, this should be done as soon as possible.
The instructions for use of the Multifel vaccine for cats indicate that this is an immunobiological product - it causes a response in the animal’s body when virus strains enter it. This is how defensive reactions are formed.
Advantages, disadvantages and cost
The use of the drug Multifel 4 for vaccination has many advantages. For example, a medicine is sold ready for use. It does not need to be mixed with solvents and fillers. Before injection, you just need to shake the bottle thoroughly and draw its contents into a measuring syringe.
If you use the medicine correctly and follow the veterinarian's instructions, the risk of disease is reduced significantly. In addition, this medicine is suitable for both adult cats and kittens.
Among the shortcomings of the product, one can only note that its storage requires strict adherence to a special temperature regime. Also, against the background of its use, the animal may develop adverse reactions and complications.
The price of 1 vaccination with the drug varies between 220−270 rubles. When purchasing a drug, you must comply with all conditions for its storage. It is recommended to keep it in the refrigerator away from any light sources. You can purchase the Multifel 4 vaccine in almost every pet store, veterinary clinic or specialized pharmacy for animals.
In what cases should it be used?
There are several diseases that the Multifel vaccine can prevent.:
- Chlamydia;
- Panleukopenia;
- Calicivirus infection;
- Ritotracheitis.
The active ingredients in the drug are inactivated antigens of the pathogens of the above diseases.
The Multifel 4 vaccine for cats helps to form immunity in animals to the viruses that cause these diseases; the duration of action is 1 year. The drug Multifel does not have a therapeutic effect, but is completely harmless for cats of any age.
