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Kitten Vaccinations

When you welcome a kitten into your home, you should begin by making sure your new companion receives the proper kitten vaccinations. A schedule of pet vaccinations generally begins at six to eight weeks of age. This guide will help you get a better idea of which kitten vaccines are necessary. At Alum Rock Animal Hospital in San Jose, CA, our veterinarian provides both core and noncore pet vaccines. 

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Core Vaccines

Core pet vaccines are the ones that our veterinarian recommends for all kittens. The core vaccines can reduce the symptoms or prevent infection if your pet comes in contact with a virus or bacteria that can cause a serious, life-threatening illness. Core kitten vaccinations include feline viral panleukopenia (distemper), rabies, feline viral rhinotracheitis (feline herpes virus), and calicivirus. 

Rabies is a virus that affects your pet’s brain and is always fatal. Feline viral panleukopenia is a viral infection and can decrease your kitten's white blood cell count and is fatal in some cases. Your kitten should receive this vaccine at eight weeks old and will need a booster every three to four weeks until 16 weeks of age. Calicivirus and rhinotracheitis both cause respiratory infections.

The rabies vaccine may be administered as early as 12 weeks. A second dose of the rabies vaccine will be administered at one year of age. 

Noncore Vaccinations

Some vaccines are non-core vaccinations, which means your veterinarian will only recommend these depending on your pet’s breed and lifestyle conditions. Feline leukemia is a non-core vaccine. This vaccine is usually given as early as eight weeks with boosters given every three to four weeks.  

Another vaccine our veterinarian may recommend for your kitten is feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), which is given as early as eight weeks as well and given in a series of three boosters every two to four weeks. Other potential vaccines include feline infectious peritonitis, feline giardia, and Chlamydophila felis. Our veterinarian will analyze your pet and recommend the most effective schedule of kitten vaccinations.

Pet Vaccines in San Jose

Our veterinarian provides pet vaccines to prevent serious health concerns. With a vaccine schedule tailored to your kitten’s needs, our veterinarian will work to ensure your kitten healthy for years to come. For more information on pet vaccines or to schedule an appointment calls Alum Rock Animal Hospital at (408) 258-2735.