Do cats need to get vaccinated every year?

Cats may not need to get vaccinated every year, mainly depending on their antibody levels. If the antibody level is above S4, there is no need for vaccination. If it is below S4, a booster vaccine is required.

How to vaccinate kittens?

Kittens receive three initial vaccinations. The main vaccine they receive is the imported Merial vaccine. The interval between each vaccination is 28 days. After the third vaccination, a antibody test is conducted 21 days later. If the antibody level is sufficient, there is no need for further vaccination. If the antibody level is insufficient, a booster Merial vaccine is given based on the antibody level. Kitten vaccination starts at least 2 months of age. Vaccination is not recommended below 2 months, and the vaccination schedule should be postponed until the cat has adapted to the new environment for a week.

Precautions during vaccination

During the vaccination period, it is not recommended to bathe, change diets, or change environments. Also, avoid contact with other cats. Each cat's response to the vaccine is different, and some may produce different antibody levels due to their own stress response or sub-healthy status.

Benefits of vaccinating cats

The Merial vaccine primarily prevents feline herpesvirus, feline calicivirus, and feline panleukopenia virus. Symptoms of herpesvirus include conjunctivitis, sneezing, coughing, and purulent rhinorrhea. Calicivirus symptoms include gingivitis, stomatitis, tongue ulcers, coughing, and sneezing. Panleukopenia virus symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, and hemorrhagic diarrhea. Among them, the mortality rate of panleukopenia is high, and the treatment cost is expensive. Once infected with feline herpesvirus or calicivirus, the cat basically carries the virus for life, and clinical manifestations occur mainly when the immune system is compromised. Therefore, regular vaccination and antibody level testing are necessary.