We recommend that newly acquired kittens are given several days at least to settle into their new home before being given any vaccinations.

The vaccination course, which consists of two injections, three weeks apart, can be started from 9 weeks of age. Each injection needs two weeks to produce some immunity so the earliest we would suggest a kitten is allowed out would be at 14 weeks of age. However, many owners prefer to try to keep kittens inside the house till they have been neutered.

Once an animal has had their first two injections (called a primary vaccination course) they then require annual booster vaccinations to maintain their immunity. We do not give exactly the same vaccination every year because the various parts of the vaccine produce immunities lasting different periods of time.

The diseases the vaccination course provides protection against are:

• Cat Flu or Feline Upper Respiratory Disease (FURD)
• Feline Infectious Enteritis
• Feline Leukaemia Virus
• Chlamydia

We can also provide protection against:

• Rabies

More information about the diseases vaccinated against:

Cat Flu or Feline Upper Respiratory Disease (FURD)

A highly infectious disease which is caused by two viruses:

• Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR)
• Feline Calicivirus (FCV)

The signs are similar to the human version of the disease, but many cats can unfortunately get large ulcers inside their mouths which stops them eating. This disease is often associated with a number of cats being enclosed together, such as in a cattery.

Feline Infectious Enteritis

a highly contagious disease which is caused by a virus from the same family as that causing Parvo Disease in dogs. It causes a severe gastroenteritis which is often fatal, especially in kittens.

Feline Leukaemia Virus

At present, this disease kills more cats than any other infection in this country. It can cause a number of conditions from tumours to a severe anaemia. Treatment is not possible at this time, although research continues in this area. It is transmitted through many body secretions including saliva, so cat bites in adult cats are a common means of infection.

Chlamydial infection

One of the commonest causes of conjunctivitis in cats. Treatment usually means a lengthy course of antibiotics.

Rabies Virus

Although this disease is not present within the dog population in the U.K. it is present in certain parts of Europe. It is transmitted via the saliva of an infected animal and targets the nervous system, rapidly causing death through respiratory muscle paralysis. Because of the PETS travel scheme, we can now provide routine vaccinations against rabies