Why do kittens require more frequent vaccinations than older cats?
Nursing kittens ingest immunizing antibodies from their mother. These maternal antibodies provide early protection against infectious disease. However, they also neutralize the immunizing agents in vaccines. Maternal antibodies naturally decline during the first three to four months of life and eventually disappear. For this reason, kittens vaccinated earlier than 12 weeks of age should be revaccinated after 12 weeks of age. This increases the likelihood of long-term protection from the vaccination as soon as maternal antibody levels have declined below protective levels. How often should my cat be vaccinated? Immunity to most infectious diseases gradually declines overtime, so periodic re-vaccination is generally necessary. Frequency of vaccination is dependent on your cat’s lifestyle, age and risk of disease exposure. We can determine the appropriate vaccination interval based on your pet’s history and individual circumstances. Common Infectious Diseases of Cats Rabies Rabies is a vi
