Cat Neutering: When, How and What to Watch Afterwards
The benefits of neutering female and male cats, the right age, the day of surgery and recovery.
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Combined vaccines, rabies, kennel cough and parasite programme: when, how many doses and what to watch after vaccination.
When you adopt a new puppy, the first visit to the vet is to start the vaccination schedule. In the weeks after birth puppies are protected by antibodies from their mother's milk, but this protection wanes between 6 and 12 weeks and full immunity is gained through vaccine doses. Even a small lapse in timing raises the risk of serious diseases such as parvovirus.
General schedule
| Age | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Weeks 6–8 | 1st combined vaccine (DHPPi); first internal parasite treatment (starts from week two) |
| Weeks 10–12 | 2nd combined vaccine + leptospirosis; microchip |
| Weeks 14–16 | 3rd combined vaccine + leptospirosis + rabies (after 12 weeks) |
| Every year | Booster of combined vaccine, leptospirosis and rabies; kennel cough vaccine when needed |
Before and after vaccination
- The animal must be healthy before vaccination; if there is fever, diarrhoea or vomiting the vaccine is postponed.
- Internal parasite treatment 10 days before vaccination strengthens the immune response.
- Mild lethargy and loss of appetite in the first 24 hours is normal; if there is facial swelling, vomiting or breathing difficulty go to the clinic immediately.
- Do not take the puppy to parks or areas with unfamiliar dogs before the programme ends (before 16 weeks).
Rabies vaccine and legal requirement
The rabies vaccine is mandatory in Türkiye and the first dose is given after 12 weeks of age, usually together with the third combined vaccine. The vaccination card must state the microchip number, vaccine brand and serial number; the card is required for travel, pet hotels and admissions. If the date of the annual booster is missed, the programme may need to be restarted.
Parasite protection
Internal parasite treatment is given fortnightly from week two until 12 weeks, then monthly until six months, then every three months. Flea and tick protection is planned separately in the tick season (March–November). In summer, monthly protection is recommended against heartworm (dirofilaria), which is transmitted by mosquitoes.
With the 'Vaccination Schedule Generator' on our site you can see the next vaccine by your puppy's age. The exact plan is set with the vet after examination.
Frequently asked questions
- What if I delay the vaccine? If the dose interval exceeds six weeks the programme may need to be restarted; the vet assesses the interval.
- Can the puppy go out before it is vaccinated? Until the third dose and immune development are complete (about weeks 16–18) avoid places with unfamiliar dogs; it can be carried outdoors.
- Can I bathe it after vaccination? Avoid baths and stressful activities for 7–10 days after vaccination.
This page is for general information and does not replace a veterinary examination; always consult a veterinarian for your animal's diagnosis and treatment.