What shots does my cat need?

Because medical terms aren't really meaningful to most people, veterinarians usually abbreviate. A new kitten will receive what's called an F-R-C-P shot, as well as another for rabies. The common names for the diseases covered are distemper, herpes, and something called calicivirus (cal-ISS-ee-vie-rus), which is a form of hepatitis. If your cat will go outdoors, vaccination for feline leukemia is also recommended. Kittens should get their first shots when they're nine or ten weeks old, with a booster a month later. A final booster should be given when they're six months old. After that, they should get the shots when they're 16 months old, and every year thereafter. When you visit the vet, it's also a good idea to bring along a stool sample so your cat can be tested for internal parasites. Shots for these can be given as needed.