Cat watering can

Polivak-TM is a dermatomycosis vaccine developed by the Russian company Vetbiokhim specifically for cats. Because the formula was developed with animals' specific needs in mind, it is effective and safe, although strict adherence to the instructions is required. It is successfully used for the prevention and treatment of fungal infections.

General description and features

Polivak is produced as a light-brown liquid. When stored, a sediment forms at the bottom of the bottle, which dislodges easily when shaken. The medicinal liquid is packaged in glass vials sealed with rubber stoppers. These stoppers help maintain the seal. Each vial contains 1 ml of liquid, equivalent to one immune dose. The glass vials are packaged in special plastic containers, but most pharmacies sell them individually in the required quantity.

Polivak is an inactivated vaccine, meaning it contains non-living microorganisms. Fungi from the Microsporum and Trichophyton genera are grown by the manufacturer in specially prepared conditions and then undergo special processing. Furthermore, the vaccine is suitable for cats.

Important! Vetbiokhim produces Polivak for cats and dogs. When purchasing, please read the information on the packaging. Use only as directed.

Pharmacological properties and indications for use

The vaccine is successfully used to prevent and treat diseases caused by fungal infections. Containing eight fungal species, it is effective regardless of the pathogen and provides reliable protection when used prophylactically.

When administered to an animal, the vaccine stimulates the production of antibodies against the fungal infection. Immunity develops within 20-30 days after the first injection and remains effective for 12 months. To ensure reliable protection for the animal against lichen, it is necessary to undergo annual vaccination.

Features of use and dosage

Cats are the most susceptible to fungal infections among pets. Due to their extreme vulnerability, even pets that don't go outside can become infected with ringworm. The disease poses a danger not only to pets but also to people. Children are particularly at risk, so it's important to vaccinate your pet promptly. According to the instructions for use, Polivac is administered to cats as a single dose to prevent fungal infections.

• for animals aged 1 to 5 months – 1 ml;
• for pets over 5 months of age – 1.5 ml.

The procedure is repeated once a year. When using the remedy to treat ringworm, the application schedule and dosage differ significantly. The dosage is calculated as follows:

• for cats from 1 to 5 months – 1.5 ml;
• for animals over 5 months old – 2 ml.

Depending on the severity of the disease, the procedure is repeated 2 or 3 times, 10-14 days apart. The vaccine should not be used to treat ringworm without a doctor's examination and consultation. The injection is given only after the diagnosis is confirmed. Topical treatments are used to speed up the healing process. Lanolin, fish oil, or special moisturizing ointments can help accelerate crust shedding, epidermal healing, and skin restoration.

Features of vaccination

The instructions state that Polivak injections are administered to cats intramuscularly, always in the thigh muscle. A few simple rules must be followed when administering the vaccine:

1. The injection site must be disinfected with rubbing alcohol. If rubbing alcohol is unavailable, 0.5% carbolic acid can be used as an antiseptic.
2. Before drawing the vaccine into the syringe, it must be shaken in the vial to dissolve the sediment at the bottom.
3. Sterile disposable syringes are used for injections. Reusable syringes are an alternative, but they must be sterilized along with the needles.
4. A separate syringe is used for each animal, even when using the product for preventive purposes.

If several animals live in a house and one of them shows signs of ringworm, all pets are vaccinated to prevent the spread of the fungal infection.

Please note! It is recommended to vaccinate your pet for preventative purposes 10 days after deworming. Internal parasites disrupt the immune system, so their presence in your pet's body can cause complications.

Contraindications and side effects

Polivak is considered safe for animals, but it is not recommended to use it in the following cases:

• for small kittens up to 1 month;
• at elevated body temperature;
• in infectious diseases;
• for exhausted animals and those with weak immunity who have suffered serious pathologies.

When administering the vaccine to pregnant or nursing cats, a veterinarian consultation is required. In any case, the animal should be examined by a specialist before vaccination. Vaccination is only performed on healthy animals.

If Polivak is used on a pet with ringworm, the signs of the disease may become more pronounced. New lesions may appear, or existing ones may expand. Symptoms may also appear during the incubation period. This is considered normal and does not require discontinuing further use of the medication.

Healthy pets usually tolerate vaccinations well. In some cases, weakness or lethargy may occur, but this resolves on its own and does not require special treatment.

Sometimes, a lump may develop at the injection site. In most cases, it resolves on its own within a couple of days. If this doesn't happen, consult a doctor. If inflammation occurs, prevent suppuration or an abscess from forming.

Storage rules and special instructions

Since the vaccine contains live bacteria, it can be stored for 18 months from the date of production, but only if the following conditions are met:

• Vials should be kept away from direct sunlight, as ultraviolet radiation destroys the biological properties of the drug.
• The air temperature should be no more than 10 degrees Celsius.
• For storage, choose a dry place inaccessible to children and animals.
• Do not freeze medicinal liquid.

When transporting the medication, it is important to adhere to the storage conditions. Polivak-TM should not be used for treatment or prevention in the following cases:

• there is no label with markings and expiration dates on the bottle;
• a sediment in the form of flakes appeared in the bottle, which does not dissolve when shaken;
• the expiration date has expired;
• the medicine was stored incorrectly (exposed to high temperatures, frozen, etc.);
• the color or consistency of the drug has changed.

If the vaccine has not been used for its intended purpose within 30 minutes, it should be discarded, but first decontaminated by boiling for 15 minutes. Decontamination is also necessary in cases where the vaccine cannot be used for prophylaxis or treatment.

Price

Polivac for cats is inexpensive, costing around 60 rubles, making it affordable for pet owners of all income levels. Obtaining the medication is usually easy. You can purchase it at a veterinary pharmacy or clinic. The vaccine is also often sold on specialized online portals. When purchasing, pay attention to storage conditions.

Owner reviews

Valeria, owner of a cat and kitten:

"I have a cat and a kitten. Apparently, the kitten had ringworm, but there were no outward signs. Over time, it manifested itself in both Tom and the adult cat. On the vet's advice, we vaccinated them with Vakderm. A booster shot was given with Polivak, since the clinic didn't have Vakderm. Laura tolerated the shot well, but the kitten developed an allergic reaction. As for effectiveness, the treatment works. At least, it helped us get rid of the ringworm."

Zhanna, owner of a 5-year-old cat:

"Polivak is a cheap vaccine and not effective. Our cat contracted microsporia six months after the vaccination, while the immunity is supposed to last for one year. I'm disappointed. I plan to choose a different vaccine in the future. Although our handsome cat tolerated the injections well, I didn't notice any side effects."

Veterinarian Reviews

Olga Nikolaevna, a veterinarian with 12 years of experience:

"I've been using Polivak or Vakderm in my practice for a long time. The latter is more expensive, but they work similarly, so I don't see the point in overpaying. Animals usually tolerate vaccinations well, although during the incubation period, the disease can manifest itself in patches all over the body. Allergic reactions have only occurred a couple of times over several years of use."

Vadim, a veterinarian with 7 years of experience:

"I consider Polivak, like other vaccines against fungal infections, a waste of time and money. I see no point in using it prophylactically and unnecessarily stressing the immune system. Polivak is useless for treatment; it's better to use a comprehensive antifungal treatment rather than torment the animal."

Read also:

• Exekan for cats
• Stop-Stress for Cats
• Vakderm for cats