Vaccinations and Worming in Cats

Vaccination - Readiness for life from an early age

The so-called basic immunization is mandatory, just like the triannual refresher vaccinations. The first series of vaccinations consists of 2 injections, which are them given within intervals of 3-4 weeks and every 12 months later on.

The cat’s body needs to develop a type of memory that persists for a period of about one year. Booster vaccinations should be carried out more than 14 months later. Otherwise, this effect may be lost and recent vaccination may be necessary. Not every cat needs every vaccine in the world.

You have to consider whether the cat will be a purely indoor cat or whether you will let it go out of the house from time to time. What do you do during your vacation? Do you take your cat with you, do you leave it with the neighbors or do you take it to a special home? The age of your cat is essential for some vaccinations, too. Each vaccination can cause different reactions or adverse effects.

Prerequisites for vaccination

Health
Parasite freedom, i.e. deworming has been carried out previously
Avoidance of stress, such as owners’ departure or relocation

Compliance with the vaccination schedule for kittens

The alleged schedule is a guideline but you can create a personalized vaccination schedule together with your veterinarian.

The vaccination schedule for kittens:

9th week of life Vaccination against cat flu, feline distemper
12th week of life Vaccination against cat flu, feline distemper, rabies and feline leukemia
16th week of life Vaccination against rabies and feline leukemia

The vaccination schedule for previously unvaccinated adult cats:

Vaccination of cats against cat flu, feline distemper, feline leukemia and rabies (variations are possible depending on the lifestyle)
Repetition of the same vaccine 3-4 weeks later
Booster vaccination is required every one to three years depending on the vaccine and the infection rate, as well as on the deworming

Why should you deworm your cat?

Regular deworming is a hygienic duty to protect both the cat and the cat owners against any possible infection. Deworming is not a form of vaccination. It does not offer protection over a certain period of time. It only treats the current infestation. However, a new adult worm can develop in four weeks from the deworming.

Means of infection of worms

Cats get infected with roundworms through breast milk. Roundworms are transmitted mainly through excretion, through feces which contains larvae that evolve nearby the infection. Then, the larvae pass through the mouth cavity to the stomach-intestinal tract of the pets. Furthermore, infestation is possible through the consumption of raw meat or flies.

Larvae of hookworms can penetrate the healthy skin of the cat.
Tapeworms, however, give off some limbs and remain in a dried state, as if they were grains of rice affecting the cats health. They can also be transmitted by fleas or rodents. Therefore, regular deworming is strongly recommended for the best protection of your pet.

Do indoor cats need to be dewormed? Several studies have shown that up to 20% of worm-derived fecal samples tested positive for indoor cats. This means that 20% of the suspected cats were indoor cats. These cats catch worms from flies, fleas or the master’s or mistress’s shoes. Sometimes they get infected after consuming raw meat. Pure apartment cats should be dewormed annually or whenever they are suspected of being infected with worms.

How to deworm your cat properly

Dams: 10 days before the birth
Kittens from the 14th week of life: Every 2 weeks until weaning with the mother. Then twice more.
Indoor cats: Once per year
Street cats: At least 4 times per year and 14 days before (or after) each vaccination. Not simultaneously.

Different preparations can be administered in different ways. Follow the instructions provided by your veterinarian.

Interesting things:

There is custom-made deworming for humans against nematodes, tapeworms, Giardia. Unfortunately, there is still no vaccine against Lyme disease for cats. Prevention remains the best protection against Lyme disease (anti-tick prevention should be carried out every 3-4 weeks), as well as the regular, daily scanning of the animal for ticks. Lyme disease is usually not transmitted within the first 24 hours.