Kitten vaccinations and health is an issue from early on. Without proper medical care the best of food and management may not be enough. While many breeders are divided about how much and how often our pets need vaccination, the one sure thing is that no immunity means a sick or sometimes dead kitten.

The first colostrum is critical in protecting the kitten’s health early on. This will usually take the kitten through the first vaccinations. There are always risks to any vaccine, with some mild and others not. Some pets might be tired, off feed and feverish while others more serious include pain, swelling or listless attitude. Any vomiting, body itching, breathing issues or swelling of face or legs mean an immediate trip to the vet as this can be a life threatening reaction. It is not common but does happen and quick action is needed to save the kitten.

Kitten vaccinations is reccomended at 6 and 8 weeks for caliciviral disease, panleukopenia and pneumonitis. At ten weeks vaccination for feline leukemia and at 8-10 weeks viral rhinotrachetis (upper respiratory) are scheduled. At roughly 4 months a rabies vaccination is recommended.

Some vaccines you might see “live vaccine” or “killed vaccine”. A killed vaccine injects the dead virus which allows the immune system to build immunity. This allows the system to filter the cells without actually giving the animal the disease. A live virus is, as it sounds, a small dose of the live virus. The immune system works as a military defense attacking the virus, winning and teaching the immune system to attack and defeat the virus.

Cats are normally healthy, resilient creatures and often kittens grow up without so much as a runny nose. However, as more cats enter the home and more potential for issues come up it pays to keep a good health program in place for the health and safety not only of the kittens but of your queens too! Prevention really is better than trying to treat it after the fact!