Vaccination Protocol for Kittens
Vaccinations are the best form of prevention when it comes to protecting your pets from diseases and illnesses affecting their particular species. When you come in for your first visit to Woodland Springs Veterinary Hospital, please bring your pet’s most recent vaccination records with you, or give our receptionist the name of the clinic where previous vaccinations were administered so we can evaluate the records. Based on these records, our veterinarians will determine which pet vaccines are right for your dog or cat. We use only high-quality pet vaccinations that have a proven record of quality, effectiveness and low reactivity.
About Our Vaccine Recommendations
Rabies
The state of Texas requires every cat to have a rabies vaccine. Woodland Springs Veterinary Hospital uses a three-year vaccination, meaning your cat will need this rabies vaccine once every three years following the initial rabies vaccination and one-year booster.
FVRCP
This cat vaccine is an essential pet vaccination we recommend for all cats. Following the initial kitten immunization series, we use a three-year vaccine with a proven record of effectiveness, which allows for less-frequent injections.
Feline Leukemia
This cat vaccination is not considered to be as vital as others, but we recommend it for all cats that go outside. We recommend an initial series for kittens because cats are the most susceptible to this deadly viral disease when they are young. Mothers can pass feline leukemia to their kittens. The virus can also spread due to close contact with other cats through grooming and fighting. Any cat that goes outside or may come into contact with outdoor cats is considered to be at risk for this viral disease and should be protected.
Kitten Vaccine Schedule
Age: 6 to 8 weeks
- Complete head-to-tail physical exam
- FVRCP vaccine #1/3
- Fecal analysis
- Feline leukemia/FIV screen
- Prophylactic de-worming for roundworms and hookworms (two doses, two weeks apart)
- Begin heartworm preventative care
Click here to learn how your pets’ parasites can affect you.
Age: 10 to 12 weeks
- FVRCP vaccine #2/3
- FELV vaccine #1/2
- Second fecal analysis (if previous parasites were found)
- Rabies vaccine (must be at least 12 weeks old)
Age: 14 to 16 weeks
- FVRCP vaccine #3/3 (3 year)
- FELV vaccine #2/3 (1 year)
- Rabies vaccination (1 year)
Age: 4 to 6 months
It is important to have your kitten spayed or neutered at your earliest convenience once he or she reaches the proper age. Doing so is in your cat’s best medical interest and helps him or her lead a healthier and oftentimes longer life than an unaltered cat. Click here to learn why it is a good idea to have your kitten spayed or neutered.
Parasite Prevention
At every wellness visit, our veterinary technicians and doctors will discuss which parasite preventative is best for you and your pet. We recommend a monthly heartworm and intestinal parasite preventative for all dogs and cats. Heartworm disease is endemic in Texas, so even dogs and cats that rarely go outdoors are at risk of contracting this deadly disease. Some of our heartworm preventatives also include monthly flea protection. We offer a wide array of heartworm and intestinal parasite protection as well as flea and tick preventatives. Your veterinarian can help you determine which one of right for your pet based on his or her lifestyle.
There are certainly exceptions to these general rules, so if you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact Dr. Slough, Dr. Loter or Dr. McCutchon. They are always more than happy to help in any way they can.
