Feline gestation (pregnancy) is approximately 58-65 days, and canine gestation is approximately 61-64 days. In other words, pregnancy duration is roughly two months for both dogs and cats. The first half of the pregnancy is the most vulnerable time for fetal development. Vaccines that are modified live (versus killed) are not considered safe at any time of the pregnancy. Killed vaccines may be given during pregnancy, especially during the later half of gestation if necessary for the mother's health. Your veterinarian will be able to assist and guide you in that choice, should it be necessary.
Vaccines protect animals by stimulating the body to produce antibodies to fight off disease. Vaccines take approximately 1 week to 1 month to effectively stimulate the body and produce antibodies, depending on the animals age and previous vaccine history. Antibodies are passed through the mother's milk. A well-vaccinated mother will provide protection to her newborns through the colostrum (first milk). However, the newborn animals are only able to absorb these antibodies through their intestine for a few hours after birth. So while vaccinating a nursing mother animal won't hurt the babies, it won't protect them, either, since the vaccine takes at least a week to stimulate antibody production and the window for absorption in the newborns is much shorter than that.
The safest way to vaccinate animals and offer optimal protection for the offspring is to vaccinate the mother a few weeks before she is bred. This will ensure that the antibody levels will be at good levels (barring any unforeseen health problem of the mother) and offer the best chance for antibody absorption by the newborns.
Photo: Kittens Nursing © Liz Marie on Flickr
