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Why you can trust the vaccines that come from Drs. Foster and Smith:
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The same vaccines your veterinarian recommends |
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Take control of your vaccination schedule |
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Learn how to vaccinate your own pets - we'll show you how! |
SEE WORMERS »
SEE DOG VACCINES »
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| Why vaccinations are necessary |
| Kittens receive antibodies from their mother through the placenta and after they are born, through
the colostrum (the first milk). The age at which kittens can effectively be immunized is proportional
to the amount of antibody protection the young animals received from their mother. Antibodies are
small disease-fighting proteins produced by certain types of cells called ‘B cells.’ The proteins are
made in response to ‘foreign’ particles such as bacteria or viruses. These antibodies bind with certain
proteins (antigens) on foreign particles like bacteria, to help inactivate them.
High levels of maternal antibodies present in a kitten’s bloodstream will block the effectiveness of a
vaccine. When the maternal antibodies drop to a low enough level in the young animal, immunization
by a commercial vaccine will work to help protect your kitten/cat against disease.
Check out our Cat Vaccination Schedule to find out the most appropriate times to vaccinate your
kitten/cat. |
Mix Vaccine
1. Tighten the needle on the syringe and insert the needle into the vial which contains the liquid. Withdraw all the liquid by pulling back on the syringe plunger. |
2. Inject the liquid in the syringe into the vial that contains the freeze-dried or powdered portion of the vaccine. |
3. Remove the syringe and needle from the vial and shake the vial as shown for a few seconds to mix contents well. |
4. Insert the needle back into the vial and withdraw the entire mixed contents. Remove the needle and syringe from the vial. Hold the syringe with the needle pointing upward. If there is air in the syringe, push on the plunger slowly to eject the air through the needle. You are now ready to give the vaccine. |
Inject!
5. Most vaccines may be given just beneath the skin. In cats, inject most combination vaccines without a feline leukemia component under the loose skin over the right shoulder. Simply lift the skin, insert the needle, pull back slightly on the syringe plunger to be sure the needle is not in a blood vessel (if it is, blood will enter the syringe as you pull back the plunger), and then administer the vaccine. This method is called subcutaneous (under the skin) vaccination.
Feline leukemia (FeLV) vaccines are often given under the skin on the outside of the left rear leg, above the knee. Rabies vaccine is generally given by your veterinarian into the right rear leg.
Many vaccines may also be given intramuscularly (into the muscle). However, if given the choice, the subcutaneous method described above is the easiest and safest way for you to administer vaccines.
Note: If your cat is sensitive or hard to handle, ask someone to help you hold your cat while you give the vaccine. |
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| VACCINATION |
AGE |
| Distemper combination vaccine* |
Begin as early as 6
weeks of age and repeat
every 3-4 weeks until 16
weeks of age. Booster
at 1 year after completion
of initial series, then
no more frequently
than every 3 years. |
| Feline
leukemia |
Begin as early as 8
weeks of age and repeat
in 3-4 weeks. Booster at
1 year after completion
of initial series. Continue
annual boosters for those
cats at risk of exposure. |
| Rabies |
Given by your local veterinarian
(age at vaccination
may vary according
to local law and type of
vaccine). Revaccinate
one year later, and then
as required. |
*Distemper combination vaccine
includes panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis
and calicivirus. Consider inclusion of
Chlamydophilia for cats at risk of exposure.
These recommendations vary
depending on the age, breed, and
health status of the cat, the potential
of the cat to be exposed to an animal
who has the disease, the type of
vaccine, and how common the disease
is in the geographical area where the
cat lives or may visit. |
Use needles & syringes only once!
With any vaccine or injectable medication, always use a separate sterile needle and
syringe for each injection. Safely dispose of all used syringes and needles. |
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We strongly recommend air service to ensure your vaccines arrive in peak condition. Due to the temperature sensitivity of vaccines, we will not be able to replace or accept returns on vaccines that are shipped ground service.
We sell to breeders, groomers, kennels, catteries, shelters, rescue groups, farms, adoption agencies, veterinarians and other pet enthusiasts. We do not sell to other commercial entities, distributors, etc.
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