22 Responsible Pet Ownership

Get to the vet urgently

if your cat • Stopseatinga

nddrinking

• Stopsgrooming

• Startshidingandshyingaway

• Isvomitingblood

• Hasbloodydiarrhoea

• Becomeslethargicandmoves

around less

Kitty gets her

First visit

The first visit to your vet with your new kitten is an important one,

and most vets will schedule a long appointment in order to discuss

their preventive healthcare plan with you.

Breeders usually take their kittens for their initial vaccination at

eight weeks of age. Then vaccinations are typically repeated at

12 and 16 weeks to protect the kittens against various diseases,

such as Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FIE) and Feline Calicivirus.

A rabies vaccine is also given when over the age of 12 weeks.

It’s worthwhile talking to your vet about the other vaccinations

available, but which are not part of a combination vaccine, such

as for Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV).

Once the initial inoculation programme has been completed,

talk to your vet about when your kitten should receive her next

vaccination. This is usually at 12 months of age, and then annually

thereafter, but check with your vet.

Core vs. non-core vaccinesVaccines used for the protection of pets are currently divided into core vaccines and non-core vaccines. The former are vaccines that should be given to all pets in all regions because they protect against diseases that are widespread and have serious effects. Non-core vaccines are only given strategically when a particular disease is prevalent in an area or when circumstances predispose to the appearance of the disease. Non-core vaccines are only administered after discussion with your veterinarian to evaluate the risks.

Core vaccines for dogs

Canine distemper

Canine adenovirus

infection

Canine parvovirus infection

Rabies

Core vaccines for cats

Feline panleukopenia

Feline herpesvirus infection

Feline calicivirus infection

Rabies

Non-core vaccines for

dogs

Leptospirosis

Kennel cough

Canine coronavirus

Canine herpesvirus

None-core vaccines for

cats

Chlamydiosis

Feline leukaemia

Feline immunodeficiency

virus

Source: www.sava.co.za

VETS AND VACCINATIONS

shotsCat vital signsTemperature 37.7 to 39.4ºC (taken rectally)Pulse rate 130 to 240 beats per minuteRespiration Around 20 to 30 breaths per minute in a cat at rest