Protect Your Cat with Vaccines
At Horse and Cat Vet, we strongly recommend vaccinating your cat to safeguard them against contagious and potentially fatal diseases.
Why Vaccinate?
Even well-cared-for cats can contract diseases through direct contact with other animals or indirect exposure to environmental factors like air, dust, or animal discharges. Kittens are especially susceptible.
Vaccination Schedule
Our vets follow the World Small Animal Vet Association Vaccination Guidelines Group recommendations for vaccines:
Kittens
- Start vaccinations at 8 weeks old with Felocel 3 (vaccine protects against Feline Herpes Virus, Feline Calicivirus, and Feline Panleucopaenia Virus)
- Vaccine booster shots every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks old.
- Wait 2 weeks after the last injection before allowing your kitten outside or interacting with unknown / unvaccinated cats
Adult Cats
- First booster of Felocel 3 at 6 months old (some cats don’t respond adequately to the kitten course and this should top them up)
- Subsequent vaccinations every 1-3 years, depending on your cat’s risk assessment
- If your cat visits catteries, or has a frequent interaction with cats outside of your household, then yearly is likely more appropriate.
Optional Vaccination
- Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) vaccination is no longer available in NZ, but we can test for the disease if you’re concerned
Lapsed Vaccinations
- If your cat’s vaccinations have lapsed by more than 6 months, a single dose can get them back on track for the 3-yearly course
Previously Unvaccinated Adult Cats
- Two doses, 2-4 weeks apart, are recommended, although a single dose can provide protection for many adult cats