Cat Vaccination – Mt Helena Vet Clinic

Vaccinations have played a vital role in reducing the prevalence and severity of several feline diseases including some that are associated with a high mortality rate and for this reason we support owners making an informed choice about which vaccine components should be used, and the frequency of booster vaccinations, based on current best evidence and the individual needs of each cat.

At Mt helena Vets we strongly recommend that your cat is vaccinated when young, with ongoing immunity then provided by annual booster vaccination. Sadly, there are a number of highly infectious (and potentially fatal) diseases that can affect your pet. Some have no effective treatment, but the good news is that you can provide protection with vaccination and regular annual boosters.

Kitten Vaccinations

Kittens are vaccinated with an F3 or F4 vaccine which protects them against Feline rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus, panleucopenia and Feline Leukaemia Virus. The vaccination course begins between 6-8 weeks of age and continues with a further two injections 4 weeks apart.

Until the course of vaccination has been completed, we do recommend that you keep your pet away from other animals where possible, in order to minimise the risk of infection. Indoor cats can still benefit from vaccinations, but may not need all parts of the vaccine. Please speak one of our friendly team if you have any questions about this.

If you are planning to use a cattery in the future, you will need to provide vaccination certificates with evidence of up to date boosters, so please do remember to keep your records in a safe place

Here at Mt Helena Vet Clinic (MHVC) we also highly recommend that any kitten that will be allowed access to the outdoors should also be vaccinated against Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). This can be given at the same time as the F3 vaccination. Please chat with our friendly team if you are not familiar with the FIV vaccine and they will explain how it works and help you determine if your kitten needs this extra protection.

Adult Cat Vaccination

Regular vaccinations are an important part for routine health care for your cat and helps to ensure your cat remains fit and well. The adult cat vaccines will be determined by the lifestyle in which it leads. Cats require vaccinations once every twelve (12) months to maintain a full immunity. The vaccines will protect them from diseases such as feline enteritis, cat flu and FIV.

After Vaccination Care

Following vaccination your pet may be off-colour for a day or two, or have some slight swelling or tenderness at the injection site. Access to food and water and a comfortable area to rest are usually all that is required for a quick recovery. However, if the response seems more severe, you should contact us for advice.