Administering annual booster shots for some vaccines has been the norm in the past years. However, recent data has revealed that yearly boosters may not provide that much benefit as previously believed. Factors such as vaccine type, as well as the pet’s overall health and lifestyle help in determining whether booster shots are needed. Not all vaccines are created equal; there are vaccines, such as vaccines that protect against viral diseases, that provide 3 years of protection to your pets. Bacterial vaccines, on the other hand, are recommended to be administered every year.
Nowadays, full booster series are offered by experts to cats with complete vaccinations which can be given every one to three years. The frequency of booster shots to be given would only be determined after a cat’s lifestyle risk has been assessed. Indoor cats and cats with a complete vaccination record are considered low-risk cats. These low-risk cats can receive their booster series for the “core vaccines” every three years. The core vaccines include feline calicivirus, feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline panleukopenia, and rabies; feline leukemia is also often included by some experts. Non-core vaccines such as feline infectious peritonitis, Bordetella, chlamydia also have booster shots but, the booster injections for these are given on a conditional basis. Veterinarians would administer the booster only if the antibody titer tests would indicate the need for it.
Consult a veterinarian Leonardtown, MD to gather vital and relevant information that can improve your pet’s health.