Vaccines are essential for the prevention of feline diseases as serious as panleukopenia or as common as rhinotracheitis, even if our feline does not have access to the outside. There are many vaccines and, depending on how effective they are against one pathology or more, they will be monovalent, bivalent, trivalent and even polyvalent. In the next article on our site we focus on the trivalent vaccine for cats and explain how often to give it and what its side effects are.
How Cat Vaccines Work
Before delving into the trivalent vaccine for cats, it is important to be clear about what a vaccine is and how it works. In short, vaccines are preparations of modified or inactivated viruses, which, when in contact with the immune system, cause it to react, creating defenses or antibodies to fight the disease
Thus, if the cat in its natural environment comes into contact with the disease against which it has been vaccinated, it will already have the necessary defenses to defend itself quickly. For this reason, they will normally no longer show clinical signs of the disease or they will be very mild. This protection is very important in diseases as serious as panleukopenia, which mainly affects kittens and is fatal in a considerable percentage of cases.
As we said, vaccination is especially important in kittens, since their immune system is not yet well developed. Also in those who have more contact with others, although some diseases can be spread because they enter the house through our shoes or clothing.
In any case, it is the veterinarian who, depending on the characteristics and living conditions of each cat, will have to set the vaccination schedulemore suitable for our kitty. Only veterinarians can vaccinate.
Currently, there are several vaccines that can be given to cats. Some are considered essential vaccines, while others would be optional. Among the first is the trivalent vaccine, which we will discuss below.
What does the feline trivalent vaccine protect against?
The importance of this vaccine lies in the fact that it protects against highly contagious feline diseases for which there is no other cure than offering support treatment and waiting for the cat to evolve favourably. But, specifically, what is the trivalent vaccine for cats? As its name indicates, it confers protection against three pathogens, which are the following:
- Feline herpesvirus, causing rhinotracheitis, a very common disease, especially in younger kittens, characterized by causing secretion nasal, ocular and cough. Although there is a cure, in severe cases the animal can die.
- Feline calicivirus, also related to rhinotracheitis. In addition to clinical signs such as those mentioned, it can cause others such as wounds in the oral cavity.
- Feline parvovirus, which triggers panleukopenia, a life-threatening disease that also affects kittens more, causing profuse vomiting and diarrhea, usually with bleeding.
When to give the feline trivalent vaccine?
In general, vaccination of kittens usually begins around eight weeks of age Earlier, at best, they have the protection of the defenses that their mother has transmitted to them. But a single dose is not enough, so the vet usually makes a new appointment to repeat the trivalent vaccine after 4-12 weeks. Depending on the vaccination schedule you manage, since there are several options, you can also give a third dose at 16 weeks and a fourth between 24 and 26.
It is important to deworm the kitten internally before vaccinating it, as it is known that the presence of parasites can interfere with the effectiveness of the vaccination. Also remember that vaccinating is a clinical act that includes checking the animal to confirm that it is he althy. Otherwise, the effectiveness of the vaccine could also be reduced.
In addition, the feline trivalent requires periodic revaccinations throughout the life of the cat to guarantee its protection. In general, it is recommended to repeat its administration once a year, but, depending on the circumstances of each individual, this revaccination can be done every three.
Side effects of the trivalent vaccine in cats
Normally we will not appreciate in the cat any adverse effect after the inoculation of the vaccine. He will therefore continue to lead his normal life as if nothing had happened as soon as he returns home. But in some specimens side effects such as general malaise or even fever are seen during the first 24 hours after the puncture. In case you have any doubts, in this article we explain how to measure a cat's temperature. Remember that its normal parameters range between 38 and 39.2 ºC. In any case, this discomfort usually subsides spontaneously without us having to treat it.
We can also notice an inflammatory reaction right at the point of inoculation. If this is the case with our cat, the inflammation may take a few days to disappear. In some cats a fibrosarcoma develops, although this is more related to vaccines against rabies and feline leukemia.
Only in a small percentage of cases can the cat suffer a severe allergic reaction The well-known anaphylactic shock is an emergency that needs to be treated the vet immediately. It is one more reason for only this professional to be in charge of administering the vaccines.
Price of the trivalent vaccine for cats
We cannot give a single price for the trivalent vaccine, since each veterinarian is free to establish the amounts he deems appropriate for his services. That is why there are considerable differences between the different clinics. It is possible to enter an average amount, which would be about 20-35 euros per dose. In any case, it is best to ask directly the veterinarian that we have chosen.
