What shots or tests should a cat routinely get?

If the physical exam is normal and a cat is not having any problems at home, recommended wellness care includes a rabies vaccine, a fecal exam (looking at a specially-prepared poop sample under the microscope for intestinal worm eggs), and flea and gretel 3heartworm prevention (usually a monthly topical medication). We recommend the FVRCP vaccine every 3 years. Depending on a cat’s lifestyle, they may also need a feline leukemia vaccine. If a cat has never been tested for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), a test is recommended (it takes a small blood sample and about 10 minutes). Kittens of course have a different schedule of wellness care in the first few months of life, and older cats may need a complete blood count, chemistry panel, urinalysis, and blood pressure measurement at their yearly wellness visits in addition to the items above. It is also a good idea for every cat to have a microchip for permanent identification.

For more information about vaccination and your cat, read this.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners 2013 Vaccination Guidelines are here.

 

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