Ensuring your kitten's long-term health is important.The vaccines are divided into two categories.All kittens are recommended to get the core vaccines.Under certain circumstances, non-core vaccines should only be used for kittens.Whether they go outside or not.Your vet will be able to recommend non-core vaccines for your kitten.
Step 1: In the first six to eight weeks of life, don't get vaccines.
When kittens are born and start eating from their mother's milk, they ingest a variety of antibodies.The kitten will be protected from diseases if she develops her own immune system.When the kitten is around six to eight weeks old, she will have less of her mother's milk in her system.She needs help protecting herself from infectious diseases with vaccines.One of the reasons it is not recommended to give a kitten a vaccine earlier than six to eight weeks is because her mother may interfere with the vaccine and prevent it from being effective.
Step 2: The vaccine should be given at six to eight weeks.
Once a kitten is about six to eight weeks old, he will need to start a series of vaccines in order to build up his immunity to certain infectious diseases.There are three vaccines recommended for kittens at this age.Feline Parvoviruses may be referred to as Feline Panleukopenia virus or Feline Distemper.The Feline Upper Respiratory Disease Complex is often associated with Feline Herpesviruses-1.The modified live virus version of all vaccines should be used as they last longer and work faster.Your kitten will only need one needle if the veterinarians are able to offer all three vaccines in one injection.When the vaccine is designed to be combined, this is possible.Vaccines should not be combined into one injection.
Step 3: Continue to give your kitten vaccines until it is 16 weeks old.
The three core feline vaccines should be given to a kitten every two to four weeks between six to eight weeks of age.Depending on advice from your vet, the schedule you use may be different.If you start your kitten's vaccines at six weeks of age and continue every two weeks, the schedule would be: eight, 10, 12 and 14 weeks.If you start your kitten's vaccines at six weeks of age and continue every four weeks, the schedule would be: 10, 14 and 18 weeks.If you start your kitten's vaccines at eight weeks of age and continue every two weeks, the schedule would be as follows.If you start your kitten's vaccines at eight weeks of age and continue every four weeks, the schedule would be: 12 weeks and 16 weeks.
Step 4: At eight weeks old, add the Feline Leukemia Virus vaccine.
The Feline Leukemia Virus is a vaccine that is recommended for all kittens.When your kitten is eight weeks old, FeLV can be administered.She will need a second dose of the vaccine in three to four weeks.The vaccine can only be given to kittens who don't have FeLV.If the mother did not have FeLV, a kitten shouldn't have it.It is recommended that the mother be tested first if she has FeLV.The association of fibrosarcoma in cats who have received the FeLV vaccine is currently being investigated by researchers.In a small number of cases, a cat who has received the vaccine develops fibrosarcoma in the area around the injection site.The live version of the vaccine is thought to cause fibrosarcomas in cats who have been given the dead version.The FeLV vaccine is normally injected in a cat's left rear leg, where no other vaccines are given, in order to allow the owner to recognize a tumor, should it develop.
Step 5: The vaccine should be given as early as 12 weeks of age.
The core vaccine is the rabies vaccine.Your kitten can receive her first vaccine as early as 12 weeks old.
Step 6: Discuss the non-core vaccines with your doctor.
There are four more vaccines available for cats.All of these vaccines are non-core and their requirements for your kitten will depend on his individual circumstances.The vaccine for FIV is not usually recommended by veterinarians.Future tests for FIV will likely be positive if a kitten is given this vaccine, so a careful record should be kept.It is also known as Chlamydia felis.The vaccine is only recommended for kittens who will be in multi-cat environments where the disease is already known.The Bordetella vaccine is only recommended for kittens who will be living in colonies.The vaccine for FIP isn't usually recommended for a kitten.
Step 7: If you think you will need it, have help.
Depending on the personality of your kitten, and how hyper she is at any given moment, you may need to get assistance when giving her an injection.If you are giving an injection for the first time, you may want someone else to hold your kitten so you can use both hands.During this procedure, keep your kitten calm.It is important that your kitten does not fear injections in the future.
Step 8: Make sure you have all the right equipment.
Depending on where you get the vaccine, it may not come with a needle.Make sure you have all the equipment you need for the vaccine.
Step 9: If required, mix the vaccine.
Some vaccines need to be mixed before being administered.If you want to mix up the vaccine for your kitten, attach the needle to the syringe with the cap still on it.Remove the cap from the needle and put it into the vaccine.If you want to hold the syringe in a vertical position, turn the vial upside down.The liquid must be filled with all of the liquid.Press the plunger if you want to inject the liquid from the first vial.The second vial usually contains a powder or freeze-dried substance.Put the needle out of the second vial and shake it to mix the contents.Pull the plunger on the second vial and put the needle back into it.The excess air may have accumulated in the needle.When you are ready to give the vaccine to your kitten, put the cap back on the needle.
Step 10: The vaccine should be filled with the syringe.
The vaccine should be filled with before you attempt to restrain your kitten.Attach the needle to the syringe, remove the cap, and insert it into the vaccine.The vaccine can be filled with the plunger.Put the cap back on the needle and make sure there are no air bubbles left in the syringe.
Step 11: Take care of your kitten.
It may be easier to give the vaccine when your kitten is lying on your lap.He can be placed on a table at a height that will allow you to see and access the injection site.Whatever position works best for you and your kitten.Put a towel or blanket on your lap or table first.If your kitten tries to scratch or bite you while you administer the vaccine, you may want to use your lap.If you don't think you can restrain your kitten while administering the vaccine, have another person hold him.You can keep both of your hands free for the injection.
Step 12: You should know where to inject the vaccine.
Instructions on where and how to inject the vaccine will be included in each vaccine.If you don't know what to do, contact your doctor.The main core vaccines are usually injected on the outside of your kitten's right front leg.The vaccine must be injected into your kitten's rear left leg.Your kitten needs to be injected with the vaccine on the outside of his rear leg.
Step 13: You can inject a vaccine.
The cat vaccines need to be injected under the skin.To inject in a location, you have to locate the area where you will need to place the injection.There is a spot with loose skin.Pull the skin with your thumb and finger.The needle should be inserted into the tented part of the skin.The needle should be parallel to the skin.You don't want to accidentally push the needle into a muscle if you angle it downwards.If there is blood coming out, pull the plunger back.You can proceed if you don't.Try another spot if blood comes out.The vaccine can be injected under the skin.If you see blood, use a clean cloth or paper towel.
Step 14: Give a vaccine that is in the air.
Some vaccines do not come in an injection format, but in a liquid that needs to be dropped into your kitten's eyes and nose.You will need to mix this vaccine before you can administer it.Once the vaccine is mixed, use these steps to give it to your kitten.Make sure your kitten has an equal amount of vaccine in its nostrils.