Cat Vaccinations in Los Angeles
The American Animal Hospital Association and your veterinarian in Los Angeles recommends cat shots should be given according to how likely it is the cat would be exposed to disease, the severity of the disease and its ease of transmission among felines. By following these guidelines, the AAHA considers feline calicivirus (FCV), feline viral rhinotracheitis virus (FHV) and panleukopenia (FPV) as core (essential) vaccinations for all cats. Alternately, non-core vaccinations should only be administered to cats at risk for exposure to certain diseases due to their environment or lifestyle. Non-core shots for kittens include giardia vaccines, feline infectious peritonitis (FIPV), chlamydophyla, bordatella and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).
Why Should Your Cat Be Vaccinated?
Your Los Angeles veterinarian will be happy to discuss an appropriate vaccination schedule for your kitten. Determining what kind of kitten shots are core vaccinations or non-core vaccinations involves answering the following questions:
- Is your cat at risk for contracting this disease?
- How serious is the disease? Does it have an increased morbidity?
- Is the disease treatable with veterinary prescriptions?
- How well does the vaccine protect a cat against the disease? Does it provide lifelong immunity?
- Do certain shots for cats cause adverse reactions or uncomfortable side effects?
At our Hancock Park Veterinary Clinic in Los Angeles cat vaccinations (core) are available to kittens that are at least six weeks old. A second round of kitten shots are given about three to four weeks later. Your veterinarian will recommend getting a third FPV vaccination when your cat is 15 weeks old, a Leukemia vaccine at 2-4 weeks along with a booster administered yearly to ensure your cat is fully protected. Booster cat shots should be administered one year after the initial vaccinations to provide continuing protection against core cat diseases. Following a cat’s first year, your veterinarian in Los Angeles will talk to you about frequency of booster shots. Whether your cat needs additional booster shots depends on the disease, the vaccine and the risk of your cat encountering the disease.
Outdoor Cats and Vaccinations
One vaccine especially important for helping roaming cats remain healthy is feline leukemia vaccine (FeLV). Feline leukemia is a strictly “cat”disease and cannot be transmitted to humans or other animals. Kittens over eight or nine weeks can get the FeLV vaccine, followed by a booster shot one year later. FeLV is transmitted through infected saliva, blood and sometimes feces and urine. Possible symptoms of FeLV include poor coat, yellowish gums or whites of the eyes, diarrhea and recurring respiratory infections.
To learn more about shots for cats or to schedule an appointment at our vet clinic on Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles, please call (323) 936-6952 or email: hancockparkvet@gmail.com