Vaccination Schedule for Cats: Core and Non-core Vaccines
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Cat Vaccine
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Initial Kitten Vaccination (at or under 16 weeks)
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Initial Adult Cat Vaccination (over 16 weeks)
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Booster Recommendation
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Comments
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Rabies
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Single dose as early as 8 weeks of age, depending on the product. Revaccinate 1 year later.
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2 doses, 12 months apart |
Required annually or every 3 years, depending on vaccine used. State regulations may determine the frequency and type of booster required.
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Core cat vaccine. Rabies is 100% fatal to cats, with no treatment available. Prevention is key. |
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Feline Distemper (Panleukopenia) |
As early as 6 weeks, then every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age.
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2 doses, 3-4 weeks apart |
1 dose is given a year after the last dose of the initial series, then no more than every 3 years.
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Core cat vaccine. Feline distemper is a severe contagious disease that most commonly strikes kittens and can cause death. |
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Feline herpesvirus
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As early as 6 weeks, then every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age
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2 doses, 3-4 weeks apart |
1 dose is given a year after the last dose of the initial series, then no more than every 3 years.
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Core cat vaccine. Feline herpesvirus causes feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR), a very contagious upper respiratory condition. |
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Calicivirus
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As early as six weeks, then every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age
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2 doses, 3-4 weeks apart
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1 dose is given a year after the last dose of the initial series, then no more than every 3 years.
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Core cat vaccine. A very contagious upper respiratory condition that can cause joint pain, oral ulcerations, fever, and anorexia.
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Feline leukemia virus (FeLV)
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As early as 8 weeks, then 3-4 weeks later
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2 doses, 3-4 weeks apart
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1 dose is given a year after the last dose of the initial series, then annually
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Non-core cat vaccine.
Should test FeLV negative first. Transmitted via cat-to-cat contact. Can cause cancer, immunosuppressant |
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Bordetella
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At 8 weeks, then 2-4 weeks later
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2 doses, 2-4 weeks apart
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Annually
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Non-core cat vaccine.
A contagious upper respiratory condition. |
