Cat Vaccinations Provided by Our Veterinarian Near You
Vaccination is the best tool to prevent or minimize the effects of certain infectious diseases on cats and kittens. Like all procedures, vaccinations carry some risk, but their benefits outweigh any ill effects. Diseases we vaccinate cats against cause severe illness or death, and some threaten pet owners as well. Since pets can be infected and spread these diseases early in life, your cat or kitten should receive its first vaccine by four months of age. If you are looking for a veterinarian in the Coral Gables, FL, area, consider bringing your cat to our caring Coral Gables Animal Hospital team.
Required and Recommended Pet Vaccinations
The State of Florida requires cats, dogs, and ferrets to receive a rabies vaccination by four months of age; local communities may have other vaccination requirements. The American Veterinary Medicine Association and American Animal Hospital Association recommend that cats receive various combinations of vaccines based on where they live and travel, their exposure to other animals, and their outdoor activities.
Core and Non-Core Vaccines
Most veterinarians view rabies, distemper, and other vaccines as core vaccines, meaning that every cat should receive them. The need for non-core immunizations depends on your pet's living and visiting locations, the prevalence of specific diseases in those locations, and their potential exposure outside the home. Vaccines significantly reduce the consequences of these diseases, so non-core vaccines are a common-sense solution for most cats. Of course, your veterinarian will discuss these issues with you and review the benefits and risks of vaccinations before making a recommendation.
Cat and Kitten Vaccination Schedules
Kittens receive limited immunity against some diseases from their mother's milk, though the immunity quickly fades. Kittens can be infected by disease around six to eight weeks of age. That is why this is the typical starting point for their initial immunizations. We generally complete the first round of vaccines during the first six months of a pet’s life.
After completing the initial vaccination round, your cat enters the maintenance phase, during which we administer other shots and boosters during the cat's annual wellness check-up. We recommend that you keep your cat's vaccinations current to ensure proper protection during its life.
Working with the Coral Gables Animal Hospital
If you live in or near Coral Gables, FL, and are looking for a veterinarian near you, consider the Coral Gables Animal Hospital team. Call us at (305) 667-5821 today or use our online request form to schedule a cat exam.