Why Is Vaccination Important For Cats?
Why Is Vaccination Important For Cats?
Dr. Abdul Basit Javed (DVM, RVMP)
Cats are extremely sensitive creatures who are particularly susceptible to disease, thus as a cat parent, you must have your fur baby vaccinated at the appropriate time.
Vaccinations protect cats from potentially fatal infections such as Feline Calicivirus, Rabies, Feline Infectious Enteritis, and others. Additionally, it protects people from getting cat-borne illnesses. Cats need two rounds of vaccinations during their first year, followed by yearly booster shots.
Continue reading to find out why you should vaccinate your cat.
What Is A Vaccine: Vet Explains
Vaccination is essentially a killed or weakened microorganism that is introduced into the body in order to stimulate the immune system into producing antibodies against that specific organism. Take rabies vaccination as an example; the rabies virus is either killed or made inactive in the vaccine, making it incapable of causing the disease in cats.
The immune system, however, will develop antibodies against it when it is injected into the body since it will identify it as a foreign substance. If the true virus capable of causing the disease enters the body in the future, the already prepared antibodies will capture and neutralize it, protecting the cat against rabies.
What Is The Importance Of Vaccines In Cats?
There are several benefits of vaccinating your cat and all veterinarians recommended cat parents get their cats vaccinated at a proper age to avoid any health problems.
Traveling
If your cat is not vaccinated and has no vaccination card it will not be able to travel to certain countries. Most countries require a vaccination card from a certified veterinarian in order to allow your cat to enter the country. Some states in the US also don't allow the entrance of unvaccinated pets including cats.
By Law
Most countries in the world have made it essential for cat owners to get their cats vaccinated at the proper age against specific diseases by law. If you fail to do so you will be subjected to heavy fines and other restrictions. Some states in the US also have vaccination laws for cats.
Protection Against Disease
The biggest benefit of vaccination for your cat is the protection against life-threatening diseases like Feline infectious enteritis, Rabies, etc. Viral diseases are very common in cats and they have no specific treatment as well, the only way to prevent these is via vaccination.
Safety For Cat Owners
Vaccinating your cat will keep you and your family safe from diseases that can be transferred from cats to humans like rabies. These diseases have no cure so it is best to get your cat vaccinated at the ideal age.
Fewer Vet Bills
A cat that is vaccinated has fewer chances of getting ill than a cat that is unvaccinated. This way you can save your wallet from big vet bills because treating viral diseases requires long medication courses which can be expensive.
How Often To Get My Cat Vaccinated?
Getting your cat vaccinated at the appropriate age is critical, so make sure you stick to the vaccination schedule for your cat. Cats typically receive two rounds of vaccinations: the first at 8–9 weeks old and the second at 3 months old. After receiving these shots, cats only need yearly boosters to help maintain an adequate level of antibodies in their blood.
References:
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Cat & Kitten Vaccinations - What You Need To Know | RSPCA. (n.d.). Rspca. Retrieved September 1, 2022, from https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/cats/health/vaccinations#:%7E:text=Vaccinating%20cats%20and%20kittens,weeks%20as%20a%20cat%20owner.