Vaccinations

When?

We recommend vaccinating your new kitten when it reaches the age of 6 weeks. Even more important, however, is a thorough physical exam so we can make sure your kitten is healthy and thriving. At this visit, our doctors and staff will also talk with you about basic care for your new kitten, including topics such as preventive medicine, nutrition and behavior. Your kitten will receive a FVRCP (distemper) vaccination every 2 weeks until it reaches the age of 12-14 weeks, and from that point on vaccinations should be done on an annual basis.

What?

The Cat Clinic of Johnson County recommends vaccinating and protecting your cat(s) against the following infectious diseases:

Feline Distemper (FVRCP): This is a viral disease (also known as panleukopenia) which affects the gastrointestinal tract by killing the cells of the intestinal lining. Cats with distemper may have severe vomiting and/or bloody diarrhea. White blood cells, which defend the body from infection, are also destroyed, and thus, many cats will die from secondary infections. This disease is “air-borne”, so even if your kitty in strictly indoor, this vaccine is highly recommended.

Rabies: This is a fatal virus that causes damage to the brain and central nervous system of both animals and humans. It is spread via the saliva of infected animals through bite wounds. Due to the serious nature of this disease, and the need to keep its incidence at a negligible level, it is Kansas State law that your cat(s) be vaccinated against this disease for the protection of other animals and humans.

Feline Leukemia Virus: This virus is more prevalent than any other infectious disease in cats. The virus attacks the defense or immune system of cats and can result in a wide range of clinical illnesses such as general lethargy, difficult breathing and fever. This disease is spread through bodily fluids, such as saliva. If there is any chance that your cat may come in contact with an unprotected cat, this vaccination is highly recommended.

Why?

Even though our world is becoming extremely hi-tech when it comes to veterinary medicine, we still feel that “prevention” is the best medicine. We believe it is good medicine to prevent diseases that are preventable, that is why your cat’s annual examination is so important. A year in a cat’s life is comparable to 7-8 years in a human’s life, and a lot can happen to our bodies in that length of time, especially as we age. The same is true of your cat. That is why it is our policy to never vaccinate without first doing a thorough physical exam. This is an opportunity for the doctors and our health care team to talk with you about any changes and/or advancements in feline medicine that may be beneficial to your cat. It helps us provide the very best care for your special member of the family.