Feline Vaccination Advice From our Burbank Veterinarian

Whether you have adopted or own a kitten or a full grown cat, feline vaccinations are necessary for their entire lifetime. While you may think, “My cat stays indoors and is safe from diseases,” this is not always the case. Here is some valuable advice concerning the importance of cat vaccines offered by a reputable Burbank veterinarian.

Reasons to Take Feline Vaccinations Seriously

If you are thinking about skimping on your kitty’s vaccinations for any reason, here are five reasons to reconsider.

1. Cat vaccines prevent a number of illnesses.
2. Life-saving vaccines can help you avoid the high cost of treating and curing contracted illnesses.
3. Feline vaccinations help prevent transmittable diseases that can be passed from animal to animal and those that can be passed on to humans.
4. Diseases carried by wildlife like as rabies and distemper can infect your unvaccinated cat.
5. Certain vaccinations - like rabies - are often required by law in certain areas.

That being said, you should understand that there are two types of pet vaccines: core and non-core.

Core Cat Vaccines for Burbank Pets

Our veterinarians in Burbank believe every pet should, at a minimum, receive their core vaccinations. Core feline vaccinations include those for rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia, and rabies. Feline calicivirus and rhinotracheitis are the cause of 75 percent of cat respiratory infections. Panleukopenia is similar to canine parvo and is a very serious and highly contagious disease that can put all of your Burbank pets at risk. When possible, treatment is very costly, and fatality rates are high once the disease has been contracted. Rabies has the same outlook as Panleukopenia, and even indoor cats could contract this disease, as many carriers can easily access attics and basements.

Non-Core Feline Vaccines

Your Burbank Veterinarian may recommend one or several non-core feline vaccines if your cat is considered ”high-risk”. Frequent boarding, visits outdoors, and contact with other animals puts your pet in that category. These are the most common non-core vaccinations.

FeLV vaccine prevents the contraction of what is essentially feline Lymphona (cancer), and many veterinarians recommend it for all cats. Testing will be performed prior to vaccination to ensure your cat is free of this fatal disease, and it is typically administered at eight to 12 weeks but can be performed at any age.

Clamydophila felis vaccines are advised in multiple-cat homes where the infection is known to exist. This illness causes respiratory problems and conjunctivitis in infected felines. A follow-up booster a month after the first dose is required.

Call Rainbow Veterinary Hospital for Cat Vaccinations

Keeping your cat healthy with preventive treatments like core and non-core vaccines is a priority of our team here at Rainbow Veterinary Hospital. We are conveniently located at 2321 W. Empire Avenue in Burbank, CA, so call us today at 818-846-1166 to schedule your cat vaccination appointment.