What Vaccines Do Kittens Need Uk
After this kittens and cats usually need booster vaccinations every twelve months.
What vaccines do kittens need uk. I recommend starting vaccinations at about 8 weeks of age continuing until the kitten is 4 months old. If you have kittens or puppies the first round of vaccinations usually two or three vaccines are given at around six to eight weeks old. This is a core vaccine considered essential for all kittens. Non core kitten vaccinations include feline leukemia felv feline immunodeficiency virus fiv feline infectious peritonitis fip chlamydophila felis and feline giardia vaccines.
Kittens should have their first set of vaccinations at nine weeks old and at three months old they should receive the second set to boost their immune system. Feline panleukopenia virus feline infectious enteritis or feline parvovirus this is a highly contagious virus and can often be fatal particularly for young kittens. The feline viral rhinotracheitis calicivirus and panleukopenia vaccinations often come in a combination shot fvrcp which is sometimes called the distemper shot your cat may need extra shots. In the uk most kittens have their first vaccination at nine weeks old and the second at 12 weeks.
Kittens must be over 12 weeks old at the time of the second vaccination. The final vaccine however should not be given before your pet turns sixteen weeks. Fvrcp stands for feline viral rhinotracheitis calicivirus and panleukopenia. Calicivirus and rhinotracheitis are common feline viruses know to cause upper respiratory infections in cats.
An initial vaccination course is made up of two separate injections three to four weeks apart. Kitten and cat vaccinations cats and kittens in the uk need to be vaccinated against feline enteritis and cat flu cats and kittens who go outside will also need to be vaccinated against feline leukaemia some boosters may be needed annually but others may be needed every three years. Until your kitten is fully vaccinated and neutered you should keep him or her inside. The felv vaccine is recommended by some veterinarians for all kittens while others recommend the vaccine only for those kittens at risk of disease.
According to the american association of feline practitioners aafp the core vaccines those that are recommended for all cats are feline panleukopenia virus fpv feline herpesvirus 1 fhv 1 and feline calicivirus fcv as well as rabies.