Vitafel C for cats

Vitafel S is a highly effective serum used in cats to prevent dangerous infectious diseases. It can also be used to treat viral illnesses. This biopharmaceutical is unique in that it is made from cat blood, making it easily absorbed by pets and can be used without restrictions on animals of any age.

Composition and features

The serum is available as an injection solution. It appears as a clear liquid, ranging in color from colorless to red to dark brown. Glass ampoules are used for packaging. Each ampoule contains 1 ml of liquid, which equals one dose. During prolonged storage, sediment may form at the bottom. This sediment is considered normal if it dissolves easily when shaking the bottle. A cardboard box contains 10 ampoules, but almost all pharmacies sell them individually, making it easy to purchase the required quantity.

Vitafel S is made from the blood of cats that are pre-immunized with the pathogens that cause chlamydia, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and feline panleukopenia (distemper). After the animals recover from a mild form of the disease, their blood is used to produce a biopreparation. The antibodies produced by the immunized cat's body successfully induce passive immunity in the animals receiving the serum.

Please note! Liniya Alba, the company that produces the serum, also produces Vitafel globulin (without the C prefix). Its main difference is that it contains purified globulins (blood proteins), meaning the serum undergoes additional purification.

How does it work and when to use it?

The antibodies contained in the medication create passive immunity, which lasts for two weeks.

Please note! The serum is only suitable for a temporary solution. For long-term protection against infectious diseases, vaccination is necessary.

According to the instructions, Vitafel C is used in most cases to prevent dangerous infectious pathologies in cats:

• panleukopenia;
• infectious rhinotracheitis;
• chlamydia;
• calicivirus.

The use of the biopreparation is recommended in the following cases:

• in case of unfavorable conditions of keeping animals in the nursery, high risk of infection (epidemic);
• when transferring kittens or adult pets to live in another place;
• before mating;
• when visiting competitions, exhibitions and other events where healthy pets may come into contact with sick animals;
• before selling kittens.

The drug is also used for newborn kittens born to unvaccinated cats, and adult females who gave birth in unfavorable conditions (when the risk of infection increases).

The biopharmaceutical can also be used to treat the above-mentioned infectious pathologies. For maximum effectiveness, it is recommended to use it in the early stages of the disease.

How much does it cost and where can I buy it?

The price of one ampoule of Vitafel S for cats ranges from 200 to 250 rubles. Some pharmacies may charge higher prices. No prescription is required; the medication is readily available. You can purchase this biologic product at your nearest veterinary pharmacy, animal clinic, or pet store. You can also order the medication online.

Instructions for use

The instructions for use indicate that a single dose of Vitafel C for cats is calculated as follows:

• for kittens and adults weighing no more than 10 kg, you will need 1 ml, that is, one ampoule;
• For cats weighing more than 10 kg, you need to take 2 ml.

If the drug is used prophylactically, it is administered twice, 24 hours apart. Vaccination to ensure long-term immunity is administered 2 weeks later. When Vitafel C is used to treat infectious diseases, injections are given three times. The interval between doses is injections – 12-24 hours. The frequency of injections is determined by the veterinarian on a case-by-case basis, depending on the severity of the disease and the symptoms present.

When using a biological product, you need to follow simple rules and recommendations:

1. The serum is administered subcutaneously. To do this, pull back the skin at the withers and puncture it with a thin needle.
2. The injection site must be cleaned with an antiseptic. Rubbing alcohol is best for this purpose.
3. All conditions of asepsis and antisepsis must be observed.
4. The contents of the vial must be shaken before drawing into the syringe.
5. If injections are given to several animals at the same time, a separate syringe must be used for each.

When used for therapeutic purposes, the drug can be combined with antibiotics and drugs for symptomatic treatment.

Please note! Vitafel Globulin for cats is used in the same way as the serum (dosage, administration route, and treatment regimen). However, it can also be used as nasal or eye drops.

Contraindications and side effects

Thanks to its unique manufacturing process, this biopharmaceutical has no contraindications. It can be used equally safely and effectively on newborn kittens, for whom most medications are prohibited, as well as on adult pets with various physiological conditions and health issues. The product is approved for use on pregnant and nursing cats.

Pets generally tolerate the medication well and do not cause side effects. In rare cases, allergic reactions may occur. To prevent anaphylactic shock, antiallergic medications are administered before administering Vitafel S. Sometimes the serum is administered in divided doses: initially only 0.25 ml, and then the rest later.

Precautions and special instructions

There are no special safety precautions required when handling this medication, as it contains no hazardous components. If the liquid accidentally comes into contact with skin or mucous membranes, rinse with running water.

Vitafel S should be stored at a temperature between 2 and 18°C, away from sunlight, in a dry place. Do not use this medication for prophylaxis or treatment in the following cases:

• the expiration date has expired;
• a sediment or flakes have appeared in the liquid that do not dissolve when shaken;
• the medicine has become cloudy or changed color;
• mold has formed in the bottle;
• storage conditions were not observed;
• the integrity of the ampoule is compromised.

Please note! If the medicine from an opened ampoule has not been used within a day, it should be discarded. No special precautions are required.

Advantages and disadvantages

Vitafel C has many advantages:

• Suitable for animals of any age and breed.
• Provides passive immunity for 2 weeks against dangerous infectious diseases.
• Can be used for treatment and prevention.
• Does not require special storage conditions.
• It has convenient packaging: one ampoule – one dose.
• There is no need to disinfect any unused product residue.

The disadvantages include:

• painful injections;
• risk of developing allergic reactions;
• The method of administration is subcutaneous injections (some owners do not know how to do them).

Owner reviews

Oksana, the chinchilla's owner:

"Our beauty has an attractive silver coat, so we often participate in shows. On the advice of a friend, I use Vitafel serum for prevention. Fira always tolerates injections well, even though they're painful. To make up for it, I always treat her with a piece of liver or other treats. My husband and I give the injections together: he holds the injection, and I administer it."

Nadezhda, owner of a 5-month-old kitten:

"After our cat came into contact with a neighbor's cat with distemper, we gave him a Vitafel-C injection. Within just a couple of hours, he developed severe back pain. Jack stopped playing, lay motionless, and developed a fever. I contacted the vet, who said it was an allergic reaction and recommended Suprastin or Diphenhydramine. After the Diphenhydramine, he felt better. We had previously used globulin, with no side effects."

Svetlana, owner of a cat and kittens:

"My husband found a cat with kittens in our yard. The poor animals were starving and exhausted, so he took them home. Once home, we noticed the cat's nose was constantly running. On the advice of a friend who works as a veterinarian, we gave her three Vitafel injections. Within a couple of days, the cat began to recover, playing with the kittens, and eating well. The nasal discharge stopped."

Veterinarian Reviews

Peter, a veterinarian with 12 years of experience:

"Vitafel S is a good product, but it often causes allergic reactions in kittens. Vitafel G is usually better tolerated, but if the serum is used, I recommend using antihistamines before the injection to prevent adverse reactions. There are no complaints regarding its effectiveness."

Irina, a veterinarian with 7 years of experience:

"A decent serum with many advantages. It can be used on kittens and adult pets, and it's cheaper than foreign alternatives, among other things. And although it's not the most effective or safe (there have been cases of allergic reactions), I sometimes use it in my practice. Mostly for prevention, although I sometimes inject it in the early stages along with antibiotics and other medications."

Read also:

• Distemper (panleukopenia) in cats: symptoms and treatment
• Fosprenil for cats
• Calicivirus in cats