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Core Cat Vaccinations You Should Know About!

Core Cat Vaccinations from Your Columbus Veterinarian

All cats need certain core feline vaccinations to protect them from life-threatening, highly infectious diseases. Rabies is an example of a pet core vaccination that is mandatory in most states. Your Columbus veterinarian recommends starting cats on core vaccinations when they are six to eight weeks old, followed by booster shots if necessary. Feline core vaccines consist of feline panleukopenia (distemper), feline calicivirus, feline leukemia, feline herpesvirus 1 and rabies.

kitten vaccine

Feline Rabies

Kittens between three and four months old should receive their rabies vaccine and a rabies booster shot one year later. Rabies is spread when an infected animal bites another animal and the infected saliva gets under the skin of the bitten animal. Symptoms of a rabies infection (irritability, aggressiveness, drooling) may not emerge for eight to ten weeks. Unfortunately, rabies has a high fatality rate in cats and other pets.

Feline Panleukopenia (Distemper)

This highly contagious viral infection is spread from cat to cat by infected feces and urine. This virus affects the rapidly dividing cells of the intestinal tract and bone marrow.  Symptoms of this disease include vomiting, bloody diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss, high fever and anemia.

Feline Leukemia

Shed via feces, urine, saliva, mother's milk and nasal secretions, the feline leukemia virus causes ongoing weight loss, fever, poor coat/skin condition, swollen lymph nodes and respiratory/bladder infections. Advanced feline leukemia can induce seizures and neurological disorders that could leave a cat severely incapacitated.

Feline Calicivirus

A chronic and debilitating respiratory infection, feline calicivirus causes sneezing, conjunctivitis, copious nasal discharge and ulcer development on a cat's nose, lips, gums and tongue. A feline calicivirus infection will sicken a cat for up to 20 days. During this time, they can give other cats the disease and suffer systemic malaise that requires your Columbus veterinarian administer emergency care. 

Feline Herpesvirus 1

Also called feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR), feline herpesvirus 1 causes uncontrollable sneezing fits, watery/pus-filled nasal discharge, eye inflammation, fever, reduced appetite and lethargy. Kittens are especially at risk for suffering from FVR as well as pregnant cats or cats with pre-existing conditions that impair their immune system. In some cases, cats infected with feline herpesvirus 1 may need to be hospitalized and fed via a feeding tube to help restore their health.

Schedule an Appointment with us Today!

Schedule an appointment today at our Columbus animal hospital to begin your cat's core vaccination program: 614-239-0027.

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    Wow! Thanks to all the staff at Anderson Vet Clinic. I feel like you all truly love what you do! My kitty, Lola and I always have such a pleasant experience when we come in. Fortunately, it’s usually just for a check-up, but I would not leave Lola in anyone else’s hands but yours. Thank you for your caring commitment!

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    Fabio wasn’t eating the food I was giving him and I didn’t feel he was getting the nutrition he needed. Thanks to Dr. Anderson, he evaluated Fabio and his current diet to make some recommendations and now Fabio has gone from barely eating to finishing his meals and he looks healthier than ever. You clearly are an expert in your field...thanks so much!

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