Kitten Shots & Cat Vaccinations
Vaccinating your cat is essential to protect them from a wide range of debilitating and potentially fatal feline diseases. Petroglyph Animal Hospital provides all the cat vaccinations Albuquerque and Rio Rancho cat lovers need to keep their cats healthy and happy.
Is It Necessary to Get Your Cat Vaccinated?
Even cats who live exclusively indoors are at risk of contracting disease.
Am I Required by Law to Have My Cat Vaccinated?
Vaccination laws for pets vary from state to state. Many states require your cat to be vaccinated for rabies, but most do not have any other cat vaccination mandates. In New Mexico, a licensed veterinarian must administer rabies vaccinations in all cats over three months of age. The vaccination then must be kept current, either yearly or every three years.
Which Cat Vaccines Should I Have Administered?
The three cat vaccinations commonly recommended are rabies, feline leukemia, and a three-way vaccine against calicivirus, feline herpes, and panleukopenia (feline distemper). A vaccine schedule for kittens should begin at six to seven weeks old. Kittens require a series of boosters of the leukemia vaccine and the 3-way vaccine. Rabies is given as young as 12 weeks. As your cat ages, boosters are recommended either yearly or every three years.
Are There Risks Associated With Cat Vaccinations?
The most common risk associated with feline vaccines is the possibility of your cat developing a cancerous lump at the injection site (ISS). For this reason, Petroglyph Animal Hospital uses non-adjuvanted rabies and Feline Leukemia vaccines designed to minimize the cat's immune response at the injection site and lower the risk of developing ISS. We also vaccinate as low on the leg as possible, away from the shoulder and neck area. Please feel free to discuss this risk with your veterinarian prior to vaccination.
What Side Effects Can Cat Vaccinations Cause?
Administering cat vaccinations can cause some minor side effects, though the vast majority of cats experience no side effects at all. Symptoms that may be a sign your cat is having adverse reactions to a vaccine include:
- Fever
- Severe lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Swelling and redness around the injection site
If your cat is experiencing any of these symptoms after receiving a vaccine, contact us or an emergency hospital right away.
Contact Petroglyph Animal Hospital Today
We understand that pet owners want the very best for their companions. That’s why at Petroglyph Animal Hospital, we offer the most comprehensive care in Albuquerque near Rio Rancho. Contact us today to make an appointment!
CONTACT INFORMATION
HOURS OF OPERATION
Mon - Fri: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sat - Sun: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Open on all major holidays except Christmas Day
