My new kitten received his second set of shots too soon...?

Question

I rescued a stray kitten last week and took him to the vet to be examined & receive his first set of shots (he was about 8 weeks old). They told me he didn't have enough bulk to give him a FeLV/FIV test at that time & to bring him back later in the month. They also said I should bring him back in before that for additional shots. He had gained weight over the past week, so I took him back in today to see if he could get the test & also if there were any other shots he could get now that he's bulkier (9weeks). They reviewed the paperwork from last week, gave him a 4-in-1 vaccination & took blood for the FeLV/FIV test. The vet warned me that he's too young for it to be completely accurate, so I should retest him at 16 weeks & vaccinate my current cat for FeLV as a precaution (I did that today). When I returned home and reviewed my kitten's paperwork, I saw that he received a 4-in-1 and dewormer last week and again today! Isn't that too soon? I'm not sure what I need to do from this point

So far my kitten seems to be ok. I am straining my memory trying to remember everything I was told when I left the vet last week. I am very sure that they told me that they only gave him a distemper vac last week because he was so tiny and they specifically told me to come in for the 4-in-1. I noticed that when I took my other cat in today for her rabies shot, distemper, and FeLV vac, they had also checked the 4-in-1 box although she only received distemper. I think (I'm hoping) that she may have only received a duplicate distemper, but not everything else. Regardless, I am very unhappy with their recordkeeping, double billing, poor communication, and how it might affect my kitten. I just moved across the country 6 weeks ago, so I do not have a vet yet. I had my last vet (referred by a coworker) for nearly 6 years, but she did not have a referral in my new city. I will definately be doing some research before she turns 16 weeks.

Answer 1

The vaccinations are to be given four weeks a part, as the manufacturer suggestion, a Week apart should not cause any short term problems, but I would take your questiions to the veterinary office and request an expalation as to why your kitten was given the same shots two weeks in a row, it may have been a billing error or a misunderstanding that could be cleared up, if you are still unsure about the relationship you have with your vetterinarian, then you can always find a another vet to work with. the best place to get answers about the vaccination protocal is to talk to your veterianrian, as he is the only person who can suggest the vaccine protocol legally. The typical vaccine schedule(protocol) is first 4-in-1 at 8 weeks then second 4-in-1 at 12, and third at 14 with a rabies given at 12 weeks. then an annual booster at 12 months and then various vaccines given yearly or as needed for the life style of the cat, as determined by the veterinarian with the owners in co-operation.

Answer 2

Yes it was way too soon...the first set needs to be done at 8 weeks and the second set needs to be done at 12 weeks...a kitten doesn't need a third set and most vets now no longer do a third set. As for the FeLv/FIV test this shouldn't be performed until the kitten is at least 16 weeks old. Younger is a big waste of money.
DO NOT have your kitten vaccinated again for a year except for rabies vaccination when he is 16 weeks or older (5-6 months old if you can manage to hold out that long). Hopefully the vet hasn't given the rabies yet. I would also look for another vet, the one you are currently seeing doesn't seem to keep very accurate records of what has been given and when to give what.

Answer 3

I agree with Dane and reispinsc suggestions. Also you should know that many homeopathic veterinarians feel that animals are terribly over-vaccinated and they feel it can actually lead to disease. There has not been any good research to show how long the vaccines are good for and how often they should be repeated.

It is extremely important that kittens be protected from panleukopenia which is so deadly, like parvo in puppies. Also there is no definitive answer as to how long after exposure it takes for the cat's body to develop antibodies in his blood to FIV or leukemia. So I might even wait six months to a year before going to the expense of retesting.

Also though rabies is mandated in most states and local communities there are no "rabies police" to check if your cat has been vaccinated. If your cat will go outside you will need that protection for him. If the cat is indoors it would not be necessary. The incidence of rabies in cats is very low. Usually the vector population is different in different areas of the US. Here in my county only bats have been identified as vectors. In the East and South raccoons are the vector and there has even been one human death reported from a raccoon bite.

I have a ten year old cat who is extremely ill and we are pursuing diagnosis for lymphoma. This cancer is connected to exposure to the leukemia virus. She was tested early at the shelter where I got her and later at seven months when she was spayed. The tests were negative both times.

Answer 4

clarify which you have her spayed yet not for a at a similar time as yet if you consider which you have a settlement with the breeder saying the call won't take place till she's a 300 and sixty 5 days previous. My wager is that your vet sees too many non-spayed canines who go directly to have undesirable doggies. he's making an attempt to motivate you to do the main suitable situation. you choose to coach him which you're doing the main suitable situation are are being in charge because of the fact he sounds like your in basic terms determination and a appropriate vet who needs to do the main suitable situation too.

Answer 5

Take him back to the vet just to be sure he'll be ok.

Answer 6

i have no idea