I took my 13 week old babies to the vet today to get their second set of shots. The breeder had warned me that some vets like to give all kinds of shots that are really necessary for ragdolls since they are indoor cats. I talked to the vet and did not really understand half of what she was talking about because she was using acronyms for different diseases. While sitting there I was thinking, I'll just come on here and ask since she didn't make much sense to me. We have an indoor/outdoor puppy which I explained to the vet. She said that dogs and cats can't give each other diseases as they aren't the same. But I have read here (and other places) and about people (so I'm assuming dogs as well) possibly tracking in disease on their shoes. So what shots exactly do my new kittens need when they go back in 4 weeks. She did say they had to get their last set of shots after they were 16 weeks. She mentioned something (a type of mist or something up their nose) but my breeder had given them some sort of inhaled up the nose something- (man I feel really dumb for not knowing) the vet wanted me to check with the breeder to see exactly what she had given the kittens. Thanks in advance for any help you can give us.
You do need to know what was given.
3/1 (and 4/1) shots should be given monthly until the kitten is over 16 weeks (20 weeks in some protocols).
Rabies depends on where you are and local laws.
FeLV (Feline Leukemia) generally is not needed for indoor only cats unless they live with indoor/outdoor cats, are an escape risk, will be boarded or you live in an area where natural disasters can leave the cat outside, in a shelter or in a foster home.
Do not get FIV or FIP shots.
I would not choose intranasal vaccines, but if the vet recommends them, then think about why they are being recommended rather than shots.
Dogs are not relevant for shots. They are relevant in terms of flea and heartworm protection for the cats.
Some breeders will have "rules" on vaccinations that may affect the applicability of the health guarantee. Make sure you read the contract to understand anything of that sort.
I have the shot record from the breeder and that's what I gave the vet to look at.
We live in an area where we don't have fleas but the vet has our puppy is on heartworm medication. Should the kittens be on heartworm meds as well?
I think FIV and FIP where the ones I didn't know what she was talking about because of the acronym. The FIP might have been the nasal one the vet was talking about because she said they need it at 16 weeks. What is it and FIV and why shouldn't they get it? Just curious.
I believe the breeder told me if we decided to give the kittens the feline leukemia shot to have them give it in their leg as it could case a tumor later in their lifetime, so to beware. Is that something to consider if my vet really thinks they need the shot?
I just assumed that all pets needed a rabies shot, but I will check with the vet next time as well.
Rabies shots are not needed in the UK. ; ) If you give rabies to your dogs, get it for your cats too. You may want to wait until they are older than six months and should not get two shots at one visit while they are kittens.
FIV (Feline AIDS) and FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis) shots are controversial. In my view, based on experts I trust, they are both ineffective and dangerous. The FIP vaccine is supposed to be given before any CV exposure and that may be the reason for mentioning 16 weeks. However, CV is very common and the kittens may already be exposed. This is yet another problem with the FIP vaccine.
You can read the 2006 recommendations to feline practitioners on vaccinations at
http://www.catvets.com/uploads/PDF/2006_..._JAVMA.pdf
You can also read there about shot sites. 3/1 should be at the top of the left front leg. Rabies shots should be in the top of the left rear leg. You can expect your vet to know that and give them in the right place. (FeLV should be given at the top of the left rear leg.)
The heartworm risk to cats is now believed to be greater than once suspected. You should carefully consider the vet's advice about it. For me, if the dog needs it the cats probably do as well.