Dermatophytosis is one of the most common diseases of cats. Although lichen may pass spontaneously, prevention and treatment (if necessary) of it should, of course, be mandatory. Most often, drugs, ointments and shampoos are used for this purpose, the action of which is aimed at destroying primarily pathogens such as Epidermophyton, Microsporum and Trichophyton. At the same time, the Polivak-TM vaccine is one of the best preventive and therapeutic agents for depriving pets. For cats, instructions for use are extremely simple. Everything else, and this tool is very inexpensive.
What is used for
In cats, dermatophytosis is most often caused by the Microsporum fungus. Sometimes the infection of the animal with the Trichophyton pathogen also occurs. The use of Polivak for cats against deprivation for preventive purposes leads to the development of a pet’s stable immunity to these fungi, which lasts for a year. This drug is vaccinated twice in one course with a break of several days (10-14). Moreover, immunity against lichen in animals is developed approximately 31 days after the first injection.
For cats with already shown clinical signs of dermatophytosis, the Polivak-TM vaccine is allowed to be used exclusively for medicinal purposes (using a larger dose). Prevention with this drug in this case, of course, is no longer possible. Moreover, the introduction of an agent in an amount insufficient for treatment can easily cause an exacerbation of the disease with the appearance of new lesions.
Release form and composition
The Polivak-TM vaccine for cats is supplied, the instructions for use of which prescribes its use in strictly defined doses, to the market in sealed bottles. Sometimes this drug, spilled in ampoules, is also found on sale. Each such container usually contains one dose in the amount of 1 ml. This product is a light brown clear liquid. At the bottom of each bottle, a small precipitate is noticeable, which dissolves easily when shaken.
The vaccine contains eight types of fungi from the genus Microsporum and Trichophyton. On sale, you should look for the tool "Polivak-TM", designed specifically for cats. The fact is that this vaccine can be produced for various domestic and farm animals. The composition of all such drugs is approximately the same, but the dosage varies. So, for example, for dogs capsules and 0.6 ml bottles are used.
Polivak-TM vaccine for cats: instructions for use for prevention
In order to prevent infection of the animal with dermatophytosis, the Polivak-TM vaccine is injected into the posterior muscles. Moreover, for pets aged 1-5 months, a dose of 1 ml is used. Animals from 5 months. enter a half milliliter. The skin at the injection site is pre-wiped with a 70% alcohol solution or 0.5% carboxylic acid. Syringes must be sterilized before use. If several animals are vaccinated at the same time, a separate needle is used for each of them.
How to treat
Next, let's see what the Polivak-TM vaccine for cats has instructions for use if the animal is already sick. It is also very easy to use this drug for deprived pet pets. Before using the Polivak-TM vaccine, a cat, of course, must be carefully examined to make sure that it is sick with dermatophytosis. If signs are found, the depriving agent is used in a therapeutic dose. In the same way they act in nurseries unsuccessful for this disease. For treatment, cats aged one to five months are given one and a half milliliters of vaccine. Animals older than 5 months. inject 2 ml. The usual course of treatment includes two vaccinations. In severe cases, the drug is administered 3-4 times with an interval of two weeks.
What you should know about
It is allowed to use the Polivak-TM vaccine for cats (the instructions for its use, as you can see, are extremely simple) of any breed and age. She has practically no contraindications. The only thing is that such vaccinations cannot be given to animals with fever, as well as to those who have been diagnosed with any contagious disease.
In nurseries of vaccinated healthy cats it is allowed to transport only one and a half to two weeks after the last injection. All newly arriving animals must be vaccinated during the quarantine period.
How to store
In stock, this vaccine is usually not bought. Shelf life even in a closed container is not too long - 18 months. Store Polivak-TM for cats at a temperature of 2 to 10 ° C in a dry room. Of course, care should be taken to prevent children or pets from accessing the drug.
A sign that the vaccine is spoiled is the appearance in it of an insoluble precipitate in the form of flakes. The expired Polivak-TM is disposed of only after preliminary disinfection by boiling for at least 15 minutes.
Diagnosis of dermatophytosis
Lichen - a disease of cats with pronounced symptoms. Its incubation period lasts from 3-4 days to 3 weeks. The main sign of dermatophytosis is flaky alopecia arising on the cat's body. They are formed due to the fact that the hair of the animal affected by the fungus becomes very fragile and quickly breaks off.
Sometimes this disease can be asymptomatic. Therefore, for the accurate diagnosis of dermatophytosis, special methods should be used:
Analogues of the drug
There is a vaccine "Polivak-TM" for cats, the instructions for use of which were discussed above, not too expensive - about 400-500 rubles for ten doses. However, on the market there are also even cheaper analogues:
Both drugs, like Polivak-TM, are injected twice with an interval of two weeks. The first drug is available in containers up to five milliliters. Prevention is deprived of animals at the age of one to three months in the amount of 1/2 ml, for older cats - 1 ml. The drug “Wackderm F” costs about 100-150 rubles per 10 bottles.
“Polivak-TM” for cats, the vaccination instructions of which prescribe its use in prophylaxis in doses of 1-1.5 ml, as well as “Vakterm F”, is sold in liquid form. The drug "Microderm" is usually sold in dry form. Before use, it is dissolved in distilled water. Use it is allowed only for cats older than one and a half months. The dose for animals aged from one and a half months to six months is half a milliliter (prophylactic) and a milliliter (therapeutic). For cats from 6 months. these values are 1 and 2 ml, respectively. In the latter case, attention is paid including to the weight of the animal. For small cats, the dose is reduced. The Microderm vaccine is worth about 120-150 rubles. per pack of 4 dry doses (dilute 1 ml of solvent). Thus, for 10 doses, you will have to pay about 300-350 rubles.
Polivak-TM vaccine reviews
Most pet owners believe that this drug is very good. From depriving, it helps perfectly. Even with a neglected form of the disease, after two or three injections, the cat usually gradually begins to overgrow with hair and eventually completely heals. According to pet lovers, no ointments and shampoos of such a quick effect are capable of exerting.
Owners of cats of expensive breeds at specialized forums are advised to carry out the prevention of dermatophytosis once a year. The use of the drug "Polivak-TM" for vaccinations, in their opinion, infection of an animal with lichen can be completely excluded.
Conclusion
Well, hopefully, in this article we have told in sufficient detail what the preparation "Polivak-TM" for cats is (instructions, reviews). As you can see, this tool is convenient in use, relatively inexpensive and, most importantly, very effective. The prevention of dermatophytosis with its use is really worthwhile. This vaccine can be especially useful for owners of cats of expensive breeds and for owners of nurseries.