The issues of supporting the immunity of pets should be approached with all responsibility. Timely vaccinations help maintain your pet's health, and in some cases even prevent its death. There are many commercially produced preparations for vaccinating cats. "Multifel-4" is one of such modern means. This medication almost never produces side effects. It saves cats quite well from the four most common diseases. Further in the article we will look at what the drug “Multifel-4” is (instructions for cats, price, composition, reviews).
Composition and release form of the drug
Like almost any other vaccine, Multifel-4 is supplied to veterinary centers in the form of a solution. It is a pink-gray liquid with a loose sediment. This medication should be shaken before use. In this case, the sediment is easily broken into a homogeneous mixture.
This product is packaged in an amount of 1 cm3 in bottles of 2-5 cm3. The label of each such small container must indicate:
- name of the manufacturer;
- name of the vaccine;
- control series number;
- volume of the drug in cubic centimeters;
- Date of issue;
- shelf life.
The main active ingredients of the Multifel-4 vaccine (the instructions for cats require its use in strictly defined dosages) are inactivated antigens of viral panleukopenia, calicivirus infection, rhinotracheitis and chlamydia.
Vials with the vaccine are sealed with rubber stoppers reinforced with metal caps. Also, sometimes this medication is supplied to clinics in 3 ml ampoules.
Analogs
How can you replace Multifel-4
? Multifel has analogs that are similar in composition and principle of action. These include:
- Nobivac Triquet Trio is a product of the Dutch pharmaceutical company. Comes in powder form complete with solution. The injection is placed into the muscle. Protects against the same pathogenic microorganisms as Multifel, with the exception of chlamydia;
- quadricate is lyophilized pills and liquid for making a solution. Injected under the skin. The medicine creates a barrier to panleukopenia, herpesvirus, calicivirus infections and rabies;
- purevax - available in the form of a ready-made solution or lyophilisate. The injection is given subcutaneously.
What is it used for?
Vaccinations given to cats using this vaccine prevent the animal from subsequently becoming infected with:
- chlamydia;
- rhinotracheitis;
- calcivirus;
- panleukopenia.
The immune response in cats is formed 14 days after using the medication. The effect of using the vaccine lasts for a year. This product does not cause any harm to the cat’s body. However, the Maltifel-4 vaccine does not have a therapeutic effect. This drug can be used not only for cats itself, but also for other members of the family.
Advantages of the drug
As you know, there are two types of vaccines: live and killed. In the first, the virus is in a weakened state, but these are still the same pathogenic organisms. In this case, the body produces a strong immune response. That is, the next time it detects similar pathogens, the immune system will react instantly.
Killed vaccines contain only parts of pathogens, so the immunity produced will be somewhat weaker. “Multifel-4” belongs to this class. The main advantage of this product is safety for the animal.
Vaccine "Multifel-4" for cats: instructions for use
This drug is first administered to kittens at the age of 8-12 weeks. Exactly 28 days later the procedure is repeated. Both times the drug is used in an amount of 1 ml. The dosage of the medicine does not depend on the breed and body weight. The kitten is vaccinated for the second time at the age of 12 months. Subsequently, it is advisable to give injections to the animal every year.
It often happens that a cat is not vaccinated at an early age. In this case, the animal can be vaccinated for the first time at any time twice, also with an interval of 28 days. In the future, vaccinations are done every year.
The instructions for cats do not allow violating the vaccination schedule described above when using Multifel-4. Shifting the timing in this case may lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of the drug. If it was not possible to reintroduce the drug after 28 days, this should be done as quickly as possible.
Before vaccination, the animal must be treated for worms. This drug is administered only intramuscularly. This vaccine cannot be injected subcutaneously. The fact is that with this method of administration, the liquid will not be absorbed into the tissues and will not disperse throughout the body. Moreover, the animal may develop a hard lump, which will then have to be removed surgically.
Revaccination
The Multifel-4 vaccination has a time-limited effect. Within 10-12 months after its administration, the body “remembers” the introduced harmful viruses and is ready to give them a worthy rebuff. Gradually, the immune response weakens, so it is necessary to update it regularly.
Revaccination is carried out at the age of 12 months. Then this procedure must be repeated annually. Be sure to first undergo an examination by a veterinarian. The drug can only be administered to completely healthy animals. If vaccination coincides with the incubation period of any viral disease, the animal may die.
Consequences of overdose
This is the instruction provided for the drug “Multifel-4”. For cats, this drug should, of course, be used correctly. In those animals that were administered an excessively large dose of Multifel-4, no signs of chlamydia, calcivirosis, panleukopenia, etc. were detected. The same applies to post-vaccination reactions. However, the dosage of this medicine must, of course, be strictly followed.
Sometimes a slight swelling appears on the animal’s body at the site where the vaccine was administered. No additional measures are required in this case. After some time, the swelling disappears on its own.
The principle of vaccination
The drug can be injected for all members of the cat family.
Multifel – 4, prevents infection of the body by pathogens:
- panleukopenia;
- rhinotracheitis;
- calcivirus infection;
- chlamydia.
Immunity appears 2 weeks after vaccination and lasts for 1 year.
The vaccine cannot be used as a treatment. Its task is exclusively to prevent the disease.
The vaccine can be administered to all members of the cat family.
How to give an injection
Thus, the instructions for cats require intramuscular vaccination using the drug “Multifel-4”. Where to inject the medicine? Of course, many owners of such pets would also like to have an answer to this question. In veterinary clinics, such vaccinations are usually given to the back of the animal's body. The same should be done if you decide to vaccinate yourself. To prevent the cat from injuring its owner during the procedure, the front part of its body must first be wrapped in a blanket.
Contraindications for use
This vaccine, as already mentioned, does not cause any particular harm to the cat. However, like any other medicine, Multifel-4 cannot always be used. Instructions for use for cats, for example, prohibit vaccinating sick and weak animals with this drug. Also contraindications to the use of the product are:
- last month of pregnancy;
- the first month after the kittens are born.
Before using the vaccine, the cat's condition should be carefully monitored for at least several days. It is advisable for the animal to even measure its temperature a couple of times. Injecting a sick cat can lead to dire consequences due to the weakening of its body.
Reliable protection against four deadly diseases
Now we would like to dwell in more detail on what diseases this vaccine protects against. First of all, these are three serious diseases, the treatment of which is very often ineffective.
Panleukopenia is a serious disease, often fatal. Signs include high fever, vomiting and diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Calicivirus infection of cats is a typical cold, only in a severe form. It occurs acutely, and the respiratory organs and oral cavity are affected. The illness lasts from 1 to 3 weeks, with fever, discharge from the nose and mouth, and anorexia. Calicivirus infection in cats leads to the development of viral pneumonia
Antibiotics are useless for treatment, antiviral drugs have little effect, which is why it is important to use the achievements of science and medicine in the field of vaccines. Cat flu - the last two diseases have similar symptoms, such as coughing and sneezing, nasal discharge and loss of appetite. Chlamydia is the last disease for which the Multifel-4 vaccine is given. The instructions for use indicate that it is not very common, but it has a number of unpleasant consequences, so it is much better to prevent it than to treat it.
Any of these diseases requires serious treatment, large time and financial costs. However, a simple and affordable procedure can protect your pet. According to recent studies, the effectiveness of this drug is 95%. This is a very good indicator, due to which the Multifel-4 vaccine gained its popularity. The price of this drug is quite affordable - only 216 rubles per dose.
special instructions
The vaccine should be used for its intended purpose no later than two hours after opening the bottle. According to safety rules, Multifel-4 should not be allowed to come into contact with the skin. If this happens, the contaminated area should be thoroughly rinsed with plenty of boiled water. Sometimes it happens that the vaccine ends up on the floor. To remove it, in this case, a five percent solution of chloramine or caustic soda is used.
If the drug is accidentally administered to a person, the injection site must first be treated with medical alcohol. Next, you should definitely consult a doctor.
Vaccine storage conditions
It is, of course, allowed to use the medicine “Multifel-4” for vaccinations in cats only if it has been stored correctly. According to the instructions for use, keep the bottle or ampoules with this medicine only in a dark place at a temperature of up to 8 degrees Celsius (in the refrigerator). The shelf life of this drug is 12 months from the date of manufacture. This vaccine, of course, should be stored in such a way that it cannot be reached by pets or children.
Restrictions
The vaccine is suitable for use within one year from the date of its production
Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to the dates on the packages. The drug is stored in a dark, dry place. “Multifel-4” is not allowed for use (instructions for cats are discussed in detail above), the ampoules of which do not have labels
It is also prohibited to use bottles that contain foreign impurities.
“Multifel-4” is not allowed for use (instructions for cats are discussed in detail above), the ampoules of which do not have labels. It is also prohibited to use bottles that contain foreign impurities.
As for side effects, in veterinary practice there are only isolated cases of complications that developed after the administration of this drug. Sometimes a small, quickly disappearing swelling forms at the injection site. Some animals may have an allergic reaction to vaccine components. To relieve this effect, antihistamines are usually used.
The vaccine “Multifel-4” (instructions for cats must be studied before use) is not administered to animals under eight weeks of age, pregnant or lactating individuals. In addition, the vaccine is not given to clinically ill or weakened pets. To avoid a decrease in the effectiveness of immunoprophylaxis, one should not violate the recommended vaccination schedule. If a repeated dose of the drug is missed, immunization should be performed as soon as possible.
Reviews about the medicine
So, the reader now understands what instructions exist for the Multifel-4 product. For cats (reviews clearly indicate this), vaccination using this drug will be very useful. Pet owners have a really good opinion about this vaccine. The Multifel-4 vaccine protects cats from various diseases quite well. The only exception is, unfortunately, calcivirosis. However, even if the vaccinated animal gets sick, it most likely will not have any complications (including eye diseases).
Cats usually tolerate Multifel-4 vaccinations very well. Many pet owners even note the fact that after vaccination their pets become much more active and playful. Also, in many cases, cats' appetite improves.
Dog vaccination
It is dog vaccination (at home or in a veterinary clinic) that allows you to protect your pet from rabies, hepatitis, canine distemper, leptospirosis and parvovirosis (parvovirus).
The vaccination schedule for cats includes vaccination against rabies, calcivirus infection, viral rhinotracheitis and feline panleukopenia.
The vaccination schedule for dogs is drawn up depending on the vaccines used: Nobivak (Netherlands), Eurikan or Hexadog (France), Multikan-8 (Russia), against ringworm - Vakderm or Polivak-TM (Russia).
