Veterinarian in Marietta Discusses the Importance of Cat Vaccines

Our veterinarian in Marietta wants you to know that vaccinating your cat is one of the most important things you can do to protect the health and well-being of your feline friend. Cat vaccines protect your cat from a number of serious, and even life threatening infectious diseases.

A vaccine is a medication that prepares your cat’s body to identify and fight against specific infectious organisms. Once in the body, vaccines triggers an immune response, somewhat like a “practice session” that helps the immune system know what to do the next time it encounters that organism.

Veterinarian Describes Various Vaccines

Veterinarians categorize vaccines into two groups: core vaccines and non-core vaccines. The veterinary professionals at our cat hospital in Marietta can help you determine which vaccines are best for your feline friend.

Core cat vaccinations in Marietta

Core cat vaccinations in Marietta protect all felines – including indoor cats – against the most severe and widespread infectious diseases in Georgia.

Core vaccines for cats include:

• Feline panleucopenia, also known as feline parvovirus
• Feline herpes virus (FHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV)
• Rabies

Non-core feline vaccinations

Non-core feline vaccines offer valuable protection for cats with a high risk for exposure to certain infectious diseases.

• Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) – spread through fighting, mutual grooming, and shared food, water and litter boxes
• Chlamydophila felis – a type of bacteria causing eye infections in young kitten in multi-cat households
• Bordetella bronchiseptica – bacteria causing respiratory problems in stressed cats and felines in multi-cat households
• Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) – spread mainly through cat bites

For best results, your cat should receive vaccinations on a regular schedule. Regular vaccinations keep your cat’s immune system ready to fight off infectious diseases. Kittens should receive their first round of core vaccines at 8 to 9 weeks of age, and receive a second round 3 to 4 weeks later. A third round may be necessary to provide full coverage. An Atlanta cat clinic can recommend a vaccination schedule.

Cats should receive a booster at about 12 months of age to ensure protection. After that, cats should receive booster shots every 1 to 3 years, depending on the vaccine, risk of disease, and health of the cat. Cats that stay at boarding facilities may benefit from vaccination more frequently.

Cat Care Hospital, Inc. is a cat-only veterinarian in Marietta GA. Because of their dedication to felines, this cat veterinarian in Atlanta and Marietta understands the unique vaccination needs of cats living in the area.

For more information about vaccinations, contact Cat Care Hospital, Inc. This Atlanta cat hospital provides cat vaccines and other feline veterinary care in Atlanta, Marietta, Acworth, Austell, Kennesaw, Roswell, Powder Springs, and Smyrna. Cat Care Hospital, Inc. is conveniently located at 1106 Powder Springs Rd SW in Marietta, GA. Make an appointment to get your cat vaccinated by calling (770) 424-6369.