It’s a no-brainer, but your cat must be immunized to protect her from harmful, sometimes fatal diseases.
Immunizing your cat
As most cats are adequately vaccinated against major infectious diseases, many feline diseases are relatively uncommon. But failing to immunize your cat not only puts her/him at risk but also all other cats in your area and even the wild cat population.
Maternally derived antibodies (MDA) can interfere with vaccine efficacy, which is why your kitten will require a series of boosters. Vaccinations in kittens should commence between 6 – 8 weeks of age.
The kitten vaccination schedule in Australia is:
Core vaccines - F3 FVR (feline viral rhinotracheitis), FCV (feline calicivirus), and FPV (panleukopenia).
- Primary: 1st shot at 6-8 weeks
- Primary: 2nd shot at 10-12 weeks
- Primary: 3rd shot at 14-16 weeks
- Booster: 12 months
- Repeat booster: 12-36 months depending on risk factors
- Non-core vaccines:
- Rabies: Primary: 8 - 12 weeks
- Booster: 12 months
- Booster: 24 months
- Repeat booster: 12-36 months depending on local laws
- FIV (Feline immunodeficiency virus)
- Primary: 1st shot at 8 weeks
- Primary: 2nd shot at 10 weeks
- Primary: 3rd shot at 12 weeks
- Booster: 12 months
- Repeat booster: every 12 months for high-risk cats
- FeLV (Feline leukemia) – Requires two doses 3-4 weeks apart.
- Primary: 1st shot at 8 -12 weeks
- Primary: 2nd shot at 12- 16 weeks
- Booster: 12 months
- Repeat booster: every 12 months for high-risk cats
- FIP (Feline Infectious peritonitis) – Requires two doses 3-4 weeks apart.
- Primary: 1st shot at 16 weeks
- Primary: 2nd shot at 20 weeks
- Booster: every 12 months for high-risk cats
- Chlamydophila felis – Requires two doses 2-4 weeks apart
- Primary: 1st shot at 9 weeks
- Primary: 2nd shot at 13 weeks
- Booster: every 12 months for high-risk cats
- Bordetella - Bordetella can also be given intranasally with just a single dose as early as 4 weeks of age.
- ‘Single intranasal dose at 4 weeks’
- Primary: 1st shot at 8-12 weeks
- Primary: 2nd shot at 12-16 weeks
- Booster: every 12 months for high-risk cats
According to the Australian Veterinary Association, the core vaccines need to be administered tri-annually. The best vaccination protocol for any cats with higher risk factors can be assessed by your veterinarian.
For more information, view: https://www.wsava.org/Guidelines/Vaccination-Guidelines
