Infections that affect a cat's skin, fur, and claws are much easier to prevent than to treat. For these purposes, practice-tested vaccines are used. Veterinarians often recommend Vacderm F (Vacderm-F) for cats. It is prescribed for the treatment and prevention of various types of lichen. Compliance with all points of the instructions for use of the vaccine guarantees a minimum number of side effects and the effectiveness of the product.
Purpose of the drug
Vakderm F is a vaccine intended for the prevention and treatment of various forms of dermatophytosis in animals. The formula was developed by Moscow, which is also the manufacturer of this medication.
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Dermatophytosis is a contagious disease that is classified as zoonotic. Sick cats are sources of infection for other animals and humans. The causative agent is microscopic pathogenic fungi of several types. Dermatophytoses in cats manifest themselves in the form of single or multiple scaly inflammations on the skin and integument.
Under the influence of Vakderm F, the cat’s protection against ringworm and other types of lichen is enhanced.
Pets with weakened immune systems and kittens whose age has not yet reached 12 months are most susceptible to dermatophytosis. To prevent infection or stop the development of microsporia and trichophytosis, the Vakderm F vaccine is used.
Treat or vaccinate?
Many owners of furry pets have learned from their own experience that they should not carelessly consider ringworm a disease that can be easily and quickly gotten rid of. Treatment of all types of this dangerous disease takes a long time and is accompanied by constant relapses. Sometimes, despite the best efforts of veterinarians and pet owners, cats develop progressive blindness due to shingles.
It is also necessary to keep in mind that fungi are very resistant to UV irradiation, antimycotics and disinfectants.
Therefore, the destruction of dermatomycetes is an extremely difficult matter and requires a lot of effort and financial costs.
So it’s better to listen to the wise advice of experts: to defeat the disease, you need to not get sick. Timely vaccination against lichen will reliably protect animals from this disease for a long time. Thanks to strict adherence to the vaccination schedule, you can protect your pets from infection with the fungus, even if they often walk outside.
Release form and composition
Vakderm F is marketed as a liquid for injection. The sterile solution has a pink tint and a uniform consistency without additional inclusions. The vaccine is bottled in hermetically sealed glass bottles of various capacities. One ampoule can contain different amounts of the drug: 1 ml, 2 ml or 10 ml. Each glass container is closed with a rubber stopper, which is secured with an aluminum cap. Vials of the Vakderm F vaccine are arranged in cardboard packs of 10 pieces.
It is important to remember that Vakderm F for lichen should be used within 30 minutes after opening the ampoule
The shelf life of the drug against dermatophytosis is limited to 12 months. After this time, the liquid must be disposed of. This can be done without the use of special measures (heating the vaccine or other inactivation method). After purchase, the medication must be kept out of the reach of small children. The vaccine deteriorates in light and at room temperature, so it is stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of +2 to +10 degrees.
The fresh vaccine contains pure cultures of three microscopic fungi, which are specially grown in a nutrient medium. Biological components include species:
- Microsporum
- Trichophyton
- Epidermophyton
The concentration of fungal cells in one ampoule is 50-80 million/cm3. During the vaccine production process, fungi are inactivated with formalin taken at a concentration of 0.3%. The same substance serves as a stabilizer in the composition of the drug. The medicinal properties of the vaccine are reinforced by the addition of the immunomodulator Ribotan at a working concentration of 0.2%. This substance enhances the immune response in the cat’s body when infected with lichen.
The Vacderm vaccine, which is similar in composition (without the “F” suffix), is intended for a wide range of domestic animals, while Vacderm-F is specifically for cats
Ways of transmission of lichen
Microsporia is caused by fungi of two genera - Mycrosporum and Trichophyton. They live and reproduce in the upper keratinizing layer of the skin, spores are located in the root part of the hair. Accordingly, spores of these fungi can be found in the same place as the fur and skin, that is, on the cat itself, on the floor, on the ground, especially abundantly in places where animals rest.
Infection also occurs through direct contact between sick and healthy animals or humans.
Find out if shingles can be transmitted from cats to humans.
Thus, there are two ways of infection with ringworm - from a sick animal or person to a healthy one and through care items.
There are often cases where cats become infected from people with ringworm. In such cases, it is necessary for everyone to undergo treatment together - people from dermatologists, cats from veterinarians.
Instructions for use Vakderma F
Vaccinating a cat against parasitic fungi requires adherence to the schedule and dosage. The vaccine against dermatophytosis is used twice, taking a break of 10-14 days. After about a month (25-30 days), the cat develops its own immunity against lichen pathogens. The acquired immune reaction remains in the pet’s body for up to one year.
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10-12 days before the scheduled vaccination, the cat must undergo deworming and treatment against ectoparasites with suitable drugs. The anthelmintic and insecticide are given to the pet on different days to reduce the risk of intoxication. For vaccination with Vakderm F, the dosage is chosen based on the age of the cat. For three-month-old and younger kittens, a single dose is 0.5 ml. For older pets – 1 ml of product.
It is important to follow the prescribed immunization schedule. If the appointed date is missed, it is necessary to inject the vaccine as soon as possible
How and where to inject
Before drawing the vaccine into the syringe, the bottle is heated to 36-37 degrees. This is done by holding the ampoule in the palm of your hand or placing it in a water bath. The vaccine must be administered intramuscularly. In this case, the first and second injections are given in different paws of the cat. A suitable injection site is the inner or back of the thigh. The bone on the limb is felt so as not to hit it. This is especially important if the vaccine is given to a skinny cat. According to the instructions, the site chosen for the injection is treated with a cotton pad soaked in 70% alcohol. The needle is inserted to a depth of 1-1.5 cm and the solution is slowly injected.
Possible complications
The vaccine manufacturer warns that after administration of Vakderm-F, the cat may become drowsy or have a fever. This state lasts a maximum of three days. Some owners note that a swelling forms at the injection site after vaccination. To speed up the resorption of the seal, it is recommended to lubricate the problem area once with an alcohol solution of iodine.
If a cat begins to noticeably show signs of lichen after vaccination, it means that the animal has already been infected and the incubation period has passed. In such a situation, after two weeks it is also necessary to re-inject the vaccine, maintaining the dosage according to the instructions for use. There are no more serious complications after Vakderm F.
Pros and cons of the drug
The widespread use of Vakderm F is explained by several advantages. These include:
- prolonged action;
- ease of use;
- possibility of prevention and treatment.
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When choosing Vacderm-F for cat vaccination, you should also remember about the existing disadvantages that either limit its use or impose certain requirements. The disadvantages include:
- Specific storage conditions for the product and a relatively short shelf life.
- Incompatibility of the drug for lichen with other medications of similar action.
- Presence of contraindications and side effects after vaccination.
Preparing cats for vaccination
Vaccines against lichen can be used for cats from two months of age. A schedule of preventive and therapeutic immunizations is prescribed by a veterinarian. Vaccination should be entrusted to specialists from veterinary clinics.
Before you give your cat a preventive vaccination against lichen, show your pet to a veterinarian. Only clinically healthy animals can be vaccinated!
Vaccines against dermatomycosis are administered intramuscularly into the femoral muscle, between the shoulder blades
2-3 weeks before routine immunization, it is imperative to deworm your pet using special anthelmintics. If the animal is infected with worms, the effect of vaccination will be minimal.
It is also necessary to treat the coat against fleas, ticks, and lice-eaters. For these purposes, use insecticidal-acaricidal drops, sprays, aerosols, shampoos, which can be purchased at veterinary pharmacies, veterinary hospitals, and pet stores.
Analogs
The Vakderm F vaccine has two analogues that can replace it. You can use another medication only after consulting a veterinarian. Since only a specialist is able to assess the cat’s health, the feasibility and possibility of replacement. Each of the alternative means has its own characteristics.
Microderm is a combination of dry matter and dilution solution. The therapeutic effect in cats begins to appear 10-15 days after the injection. Immunity is formed from 20-30 days. The shelf life of this vaccine is one and a half times higher than that of Vakderma-F
Polivak-TM is a ready-made injection solution containing eight types of inactivated fungi. To achieve the effect, it is recommended to administer the vaccine twice or three times. The shelf life is 18 months.
How to treat ringworm in cats at home
For complete therapy, it is important not only to know how to treat lichen in a cat, but also to be able to properly treat the skin areas affected by the fungus. Step-by-step instruction:
- trim the fur carefully. In some cases, the veterinarian may recommend trimming the animal completely;
- You need to cut your hair with sterile instruments and avoid scratches and wounds while cutting - the infection will spread even faster through the blood. After use, the scissors must be sterilized again, and the wool must be washed down the drain or thrown into a bucket in a tightly tied bag;
- It is easier to apply antifungal ointments and creams to the trimmed area, the drugs are absorbed into the skin faster;
- The products are applied only with gloves, otherwise you will have to treat yourself. Ringworm from an animal is easily transmitted to humans if there are scratches and hangnails on the hands.
During treatment, the animal must be isolated from people and pets. The cat should not be allowed on the bed or chairs; it needs to be given a separate place. The pet should not feel abandoned or punished. Despite the fact that cats are considered independent animals, they are very sensitive to loneliness. During isolation, the cat should have his toys, a litter box, and enough food and water nearby.
