Kitten and shots?

Question

I just got a kitten and i have never had one before my mom said that it doesnt need shots if it's going to stay inside what do you guys think?? Do all kittens need shots?

Answer 1

YES, ALL kittens and cats NEED shots.

Vaccinations for indoor cats

Cats that never go outdoors do not usually need leukemia or FIP immunization. Test every cat in the household for leukemia and FIV so we do not have to worry that they will catch these diseases from each other. Test new cats before bringing them into the household.
Rabies

Because it protects people from a disease that is highly fatal and frequently diagnosed in local skunks, rabies is the most important immunization for cats and dogs. If an unvaccinated cat bites a person, even an indoor cat, the Health Department often insists that the cat be euthanized so its brain can be examined. All cats need rabies shots. Immunize once in kittenhood, a year later, and every three years after that.
Distemper

Distemper vaccination protects against panleukopenia (FPV), feline calicivirus (FCV), and feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1). Panleukopenia is rapidly fatal. The other two are common respiratory diseases that are seldom fatal but sometimes incurable. All are easily transmissible - your visiting friend can carry the virus from her own cat to yours. Kittens are usually given a series of two distemper vaccinations in kittenhood and a booster shot one year later. After that, some veterinarians give boosters every year, some every three years. The vaccine companies recommend boosters once a year, the Association of Feline Practitioners recommends boosters once every three years. We give boosters once every three years.
Feline Bordatella

Bordatella is mostly a problem where cats are kept together in an enclosed area. It is usually not a serious disease, and unless you are going to have your cat boarded, or bring a home a cat from an animal shelter, you probably don't need to worry much about Feline Bordatella. We do not recommend Bordatella vaccinations for cats and do not stock the vaccine.
Leukemia

Experts disagree about the effectiveness of leukemia vaccine and about how frequently it should be given. Recently published guidelines recommend annual revaccination of all cats with potential exposure.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)

FIP is not a common disease. Recent work at U. C. Davis (Peterson) suggests that FIP vaccine is pretty much useless, and if your cat already has the disease, may even be worse than useless. FIP is an important problem, but we don't have a worthwhile vaccine, and based on the most recent work, we aren't likely to have one any time soon. FIP is best avoided by adopting cats that have not had direct contact with large numbers of other cats. See finding the right kitten.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

FIV is similar to HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) in that it attacks the body's immune system, eventually making the patient unable to deal with common infections. The disease is spread by contamination with saliva when cats bite each other and is another excellent reason why it is safer for cats to live exclusively indoors, with only one or two other cats. As of 2003 there is an FIV vaccine on the market, but we have concerns about its efficacy and side effects are serious enough to keep us from recommending it. FIV is best avoided by adopting cats that have not had direct contact with large numbers of other cats. See finding the right kitten.

Answer 2

All kittens and puppies should have shots!
Even if they stay inside. There is always the chance they may escape. Also every time YOU go outside, you bring germs into the house! Even if you never go near other animals, there are animals walking around everywhere outside. Other peoples pets, squirrels etc. Please! Take your kitty to the vet! They also need to be dewormed , because often they get worms before they leave their mother. Flea treatments are not usually necessary for indoor cats unless you are around animals that have fleas, or your area is heavily infested. Again, it would be the HUMAN bringing the nasties in to the cats!

Answer 3

Yes, it does. Kittens are typically given a de-wormer initially. It is an oral medication, but sometimes it is given by an injection, (a shot).

Next there is rabies. If your kitten gets out and is bitten by another animal, it could become infected. Most municipalities require both cats and dogs be vaccinated against rabies.

The other diseases are serious and or life threatening, so I'd have your kitten vaccinated against them too. This will ensure your kitten stays happy and healthy.

There are low cost or free vaccinations for lower income people. If the kitten was from a shelter or a stray it sometimes is low cost or free too. While you are there, I suggest that you have your kitten spayed or neutered.

Answer 4

All kittens need shots to protect them against feline Leukemia and rabies. You never know when the kitten may get out and be exposed to all kinds of harmful things. Some areas require shots for all animals.

Answer 5

By Law in most states , a cat or kitten muxt have a rabies vaccination , inside or outside... but it really is best for the kitten to have all the vaccinations reccomended by the Veterinarian.. even if You are keeping it inside.

Answer 6

Yes, it needs it's initial kitten series. Feline distemper is deadly to kittens and can be carried home to your kitten on clothes, shoes, etc. Also depending on where you live it may be law that your kitten receive a rabies vaccine even if it is indoor only. Your kitten also needs to be checked for parasites.Also kittens & cats need yearly vet exams. They often can look healthy but may be harboring an illness that if it goes on undetected could lead to death. When someone has a pet it is their responsability to seek yearly well pet exams as well as other medical care when necassary.

Answer 7

It is actually illegal for pet owners not to have their pets vaccinated against rabies. There's also the chance that your kitten could get out accidentally and pick up something like giardia (from drinking dirty water) or Feline Leukemia Virus (from fighting with another cat). There's also the chance, if she's a girl, that she could get pregnant.

Also, most kittens have worms and need a medication to rid them of those.

If you are short on cash, there are many places that offer vaccinations at low cost. Look up "low-cost veterinarian" and the name of your city to find out where.

Answer 8

Your mom knows best. Most shots are recommended by vets....its a business of course....lots of shots have serious side effects....it is a whole study in science...give them love and respect...we have had cats for years and never took them to the vet accept to get spayed or neutered.

Funny these people recommend shots for feline leukemia, but they still dont have a human cure for leukemia. Makes one wonder.

Brock Maclean
Vancouver, canada

Answer 9

If it's an indoor kitty you really don't need shots but you always want to protect them if they ever do escape out doors. If you can't afford a vet bill then go to a pet store and you can buy the shots there and it's a lot cheaper that is what I did, just make sure you document the date and dose so when to take it to get fixed so you have proof that it has it's shots. I believe there is only one shot that you can't buy over the counter and that's the feline leukemia shot that has to be given by a vet. But all of my cats have been fine and I have had cats for 27 years now.

Answer 10

YES! all kittens need shot especially if it is an outdoor cat. It can get lukemia (can't spell it but I know they can get it).

You mom probably doesn't want to pay for the shots, tell her you can take it to your local humane society and they will fix it and give it shots for really cheap or free! It is very important to give kitten's their shots!