Vaccination ? for cat and kittens - 3 series necessary?

Question

I have adopted a stray cat who had kittens at my house. A local vet who has been practicing for 30 years told me that he could give the older cat all the vaccinations in one shot (and we did that) and no follow up booster was needed. (Other vets say return for booster in 3 weeks and again in a few more weeks.) He also said that if I wait until the kittens are 4 months old, he can also give them all of their shots in one visit. It's a lot cheaper this way, but everything I've read says you have to make 3 visits. Do I really need to give the series of 3 visits worth of shots or can I trust this veteran vets advise? I'm concerned they won't be protected, but that a lot of $ for these strays I've taken in (outside cats).

Answer 1

It's really a very bad idea to wait with the vaccinations until the kittens are 4 months old. Each booster shot vaccinates for Feline Panleukopenia(Distemper), Rhinotracheitis, & Calicivirus and sometimes a fourth virus. The idea is to build up immunity by getting a set of 3 boosters approximately 3 to 4 weeks apart. Some of these viruses are deadly and when kittens contract them they are likely to get the severest forms of the disease because their immune systems are not fully developed. I have never heard of a vet not recommending the series of three boosters. I know some breeders of cats only give the first two boosters and they believe that they get enough protection from that but they are dealing with pure breed cats whose immune systems are sometimes already compromised by inbreeding. So if you want to save some money you could probably get by with just the first two boosters but I wouldn't go with just one. Maybe you should call up the vet and ask why he feels you only need the single booster. Certain vaccinations for cats are quite controvertial among professionals. Perhaps he feels they do more harm than good. I would definitely want to know his thinking.
http://www.purina.com/cats/kittens/Vaccinations.aspx?print=1

You can learn to give vaccinations at home but you would want to initially work with a vet on where to give the vaccines and which is best:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/NavResults.cfm?N=2002+113227
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=87

Answer 2

We begin vaccinations as early as 7-8 weeks old because that is when the protection they got from their mom starts to decline. As long as kittens and cats get two boosters over the age of 12 weeks, they should be protected. I would definitely booster any first vaccine 3-4 weeks later. The first vets info is not correct.

Answer 3

as far as money, try to find a Banfield Vet in Petsmart or check other pet store chains. We got an awesome plan for our cat. It included all the shots, blood tests, and your choice of neuter or declaw. It was only $245.00 for the year. An estimate for just the neutering from a regular vet was over $300. as far as the all at once vs. 3 visits....i think it's safer to do the 3 visits. you never know if they will react to a vaccine. my kitten got a small fever after his first shot. One never knows. Good luck, i hope this helps.

Answer 4

a thanks to dodge the vet vaccination severe cost is to A)purchase them from a mill and feed keep and administer them your self, B) bypass to the community pound or ASPCA for a a lot cheap vaccination. no longer vaccinating your puppy places the puppy at risk for disease straightforward to the species. Parvo, FIP, Caronna Virus, and so on. I honestly have helped take care of many a dogs and doggy with Parvo that cost 2000.00 or more suitable to attend to and not using a gaurentee of a residing dogs contained in the right. an uncomplicated sequence of vaccinations adverse to Parvo ought to have kept the dogs and proprietor. definite vaccinations are significant, and definite after the place of work exam and price of vaccine the vet is severe priced, yet there are different ideas that keep your pocket and yourpet. from time to time community puppy shops will do vaccine clinics once a month.

Answer 5

The shot is called dap - This does protect them from the bad things, distemper, worms, etc. In my knowledge - that gives them them the protection- rabies shot is after they are 6 months old and that is the main one! Distemper is too! As long as they have the basics - it is great- but try to find homes that will fix them!( spay / neuter) Also thanks to you for loving and feeding a stray! They make the best family member!