Recommended Vaccination Schedule for Cats
You kitten should receive his first core vaccines when he is between 6 and 8 weeks of age and should be revaccinated every 3 to 4 wks until his is 12 to 16 weeks of age. A single dose of killed or recombinant rabies vaccine should be administered when your kitten is between 12 and 16 weeks of age. A booster vaccine for the core diseases and rabies should then be administered one year after finishing the initial series.
Historically, veterinarians have encouraged owners to vaccinate their adult cats annually. However, recent studies have shown that vaccine protection lasts much longer than one year and that annual vaccinations are neither necessary nor beneficial for the majority of cats. For this reason, the American Association of Feline Practitioners currently recommends that adult cats receive booster shots at three year intervals rather than annually. Cats who are at higher risk of exposure to disease, such as show cats or breeding cats, may still benefit from more frequent vaccination. (NOTE: Regardless of the vaccination interval that is recommended for your cat, it is still advisable to schedule annual health examinations with your veterinarian to monitor your cat’s general health and to examine him for intestinal parasites, external parasites, and weight changes).
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