How long are pet vaccinations good for? I have a cat and I don't know when I need to renew her vaccinations.

Answer 1

Usually cats are vaccinated with the mix vaccine of Feline Herpes virus(FHV) + Feline Calicivirus (FCV) + Panleulopenia Virus. Duration of immunity for the vaccine is probably at least 3 years based on the persitence of antibody titers.

Answer 2

There are different schools of thought on this. I used to vaccinate my cat every year, but I read on the Tufts University website that most vet visits for illness are within 3 months of being vaccinated and when I went back and looked at my records, that was indeed the case. Mostly, she would end up with some sort of bladder or kidney infection

I've since read that most vets now agree that vaccinations last at least 3 years. Mine does not, so I just have to insist. Dogs you really have no choice on because of the requirements for rabies shots.

Don't neglect an annual exam, though. A good Vet can't detect and diagnose health issues in time to treat them if they dont examine your pet regulary.

Answer 3

It depends on if the cat is still a kitten or not kittens need several booster shots until the cat is one year old. Rabies shots in most areas its the law a cat has to be vaccinated once a year. Also if you want to get the cat vaccinated for feline leukemia have the cat tested for it and if she is negative then the vaccination lasts for 3 years. My vet told me that last year also one vaccination FIP they no longer give cats that and my vet also told me they had been overvaccinating cats. My vet gives the shots in different joints of the cat's legs because that way they can tell what vaccination caused a reaction.

Answer 4

I think e.s. has good information for you. Also go to www.littlebigcat.com and read Dr. Jean Hovfe's article titled "Vaccinations". It is at the end of about sixty articles. Dr. Hovfe also has updates on vaccinations in her newsletter archives.

Homeopathic veterinarians believe that frequent vaccinations can cause more health problems than they solve. Most regular vets are now willing to discuss the vaccination issue with you. Between you and your vet you can decide what vaccination protocol suits your cat's lifestyle.

My cats are all in their "teens" and have received no vaccinations for the last five years. The only way to tell if a cat has antibodies currently in its system for rabies, etc. is to do a titer test and not all veterinarians will do this.

Answer 5

First off check with your local vet, and if you got her from a shelter ask them if they do any vaccinations on their animals. Most shelters don't but ask anyways. As for the the length--depends on what vaccination she needs. Rabies are usually given the first time for one year, then every three after after that. For other things like FELV it's a booster every year after the initial shot, and that also includes inside only cats. Besides the shots, you should also be treating her with Frontline flea stuff every month (once again inside cats also).
If your vet is good and reliable, they should be notifying you a few weeks in advance to when you cat needs her shots.

Answer 6

Contraversial subject if you raise your pets holistically.

I've read/heard too much info about vaccinosis. Seen too many animals who have gotten sick (cancer, arthritis, etc.) because of over-vaccinating. And experienced watching a bad reaction in one of my cats after her vac when she was 5 years old.

Vets really push vacs, but I think the practice of vaccinating pets actually keeps them in business.

I haven't vaccinated my 3 oldest cats (each 12 years) for the last 7 years. My 5 year old cat only got his kitten shots, and my dog is vaccinated every 3 years only because I am a dog obedience instructor and Stoan is around other dogs all the time.

spazrats
http://spazrats.tripod.com/family.html

Answer 7

Most vaccinations are 1 year, but there is a 3-yr rabies. Ask your vet if you can do the 3-yr rabies.

Answer 8

I have to vaccinate my dog once a year. May be the same for cats?

Answer 9

I have a cat who is 20 and one who is 21. For those seniors, who had their regular immunization when they were younger, my vet passes. He says that the possibility of a reaction, coupled with the cats' ages, along with the fact that they are kept indoors 24/7, makes the annual needle thingie not necessary.

The younger ones (under 10) still get their boosters annually.

After ten, my vet lets it go three years.

A lot depends on the vet, where you live, the cat's lifestyle (indoor vs. outdoor). It is a conversation you should have with your vet about the specific cat in question.

Answer 10

once they have their boosters as young kittens they should have their vaccinations renewed every 12 months