Annapolis Veterinary and Wellness offers a variety of services dedicated to pet health. One of these services is vaccinations. For pet parents who have felines as part of their family and are looking for a vet near you, our animal clinic is ready to take care of your feline's vaccinations from kittenhood to adulthood.
What are Cat Vaccines?
There are two types of cat vaccines - core and non-core. Core vaccines are recommended for kittens and cats. These include:
- Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) (kittens)
- Feline caliciviruses
- Feline panleukopenia virus
- Feline viral rhinotracheitis (aka FHV-1 herpes virus type 1)
- Rabies virus
- Distemper
Non-core vaccines are for felines that have a higher risk of being exposed to some types of diseases. These vaccines include:
- Bordetella bronchiseptica
- Chlamydophila felis
- Feline leukemia virus
There are three types of vaccines: modified live vaccines, inactivated (killed) vaccines, and subunit vaccines.
Modified Vaccines
A modified live vaccine contains genetically modified live organisms. These organisms do not cause a disease but multiply inside the cat. The modified organisms then provide a strong and long-lasting shield of immunity for your feline friend.
Inactivated Vaccines
With inactivated vaccines, the organism, whether actual or modified, is eliminated/killed using specialized treatment. This vaccine is less potent on its own than the live vaccine and generally has another additive to enhance the strength of the immune response.
Subunit Vaccines
As the name implies, these vaccines are not complete organisms being used in the vaccine. The organism is initially broken down, and only specific parts make up the vaccine.
Our Veterinary Services
When your feline is checked by our veterinarian, which vaccine to use will be discussed with you, and the appropriate vaccine administered according to your pet's health and any conditions he or she may be experiencing.
Importance of Scheduling Cat Vaccines
Vaccines work hard for a pet's immune system. Their job is to stimulate the immune system into recognizing infectious organisms, viruses, such as distemper, rabies, and bacteria, and then wage war against those harmful microorganisms.
After your feline is vaccinated, the immune system is able to react to an infection by the particular microorganism and protect your pet. Depending on what the infection is caused by, the vaccine can either help prevent the infection from progressing or lessen the impact of the infection, so your feline will recover more quickly.
Contact Annapolis Veterinary and Wellness
Our team at Annapolis Veterinary and Wellness is available on Mondays and reopens from Wednesday through Saturday. Call our Annapolis team to set up an appointment for a preventive care exam and vaccinations or for any questions you have about our services.