anti-vaccination

After much research regarding human vaccines, I've become very weary. I have done enough research and reading into the topic to be comfortable with the decision to not vaccinate my baby.

If *people's* vaccines are not safe, who am I to believe that animal's vaccines are any safer? Right now I'm having a very hard time deciding to vaccinate or not. I already know my current dog will never receive another vaccine other than the required rabies, but it is time for the cat's yearly visit, and I know the vet will approach me about the vaccine issue.

V is 1 year old now. He had FVRCP at 12 weeks, and again at 16 weeks. Aramae (4-5 yrs), to the best of my knowledge, has never had a vaccine.
Any other anti-vaccine cat owners here? Can anyone point me in the right direction to find research on this topic?

Wow, this is something that never even crossed my mind, and I'm pretty anti-vaccination for humans! A quick google search pulled up this page, it looks like there's a lot of info there, not sure how reliable it is, but they seem to quote a lot of doctors and vets:

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/petvacc2.htm

Find out the laws of your area ...

there are many many sites ... unfortunately most are very very one sided...

If you read something like the merck manual they say every 3 yrs and soon likely every 5 ..

I agree with my vet ... full baby set then one yr booster are needed then it is per law and per lifestyle of animal

Only the cats I show get the for Rabies shows and we use the Purvax.
The others get the 3 in 1 distemper shot and that is it.
Look at the laws where you are.
We do not have Rabies laws for cats here.
I use the Purvax for the sphynx.
Coco does not get shots anymore.
I do not do Leukemia or FIP shots.
Either do the breeders my sphynx came from.
It is in the contract never to give those shots and the leukemia shot killed my Lucy.

Originally Posted by sharky

I agree with my vet ... full baby set then one yr booster are needed thenit is per law and per lifestyle of animal

Click to expand...

That's how I prefer it, too. Though I tend to take in adult cats, so that kind of messes things up a bit.

Siri (who knows how old she is) only got rabies last August when I caught her and took her to the vet. She was already spay and had been done young, so I figure that she's probably had her kitten vacs. They wanted to do everything, at once, but I said only rabies and we forgot to get around to the rest. Ironically, she had no problems (reactions) from her getting her vaccination.

I would not leave my cats without a rabies vaccine, regardless of the laws.

1) rabies is everywhere. One bite from an infected animal is all it takes. A bat in the house. Cat slips out and gets bit by a raccoon. Whatever.

2) it's law where I live. Should I have an emergency situation, and have to take my cat to a hospital such as Cornell Companion Animal Hospital, I would need proof of current rabies vaccine for my cat to be admitted, or agree to a rabies shot right then.

3) if one of my cats ever bit someone, and they were not vaccinated they could either be destroyed instantly, ask questions later, or be kept in quarantine for a period of time, which recently happened to another member's cat.

The Purevax rabies vaccine is safe and does not cause vaccine site sarcoma, it contains no adjuvant.

In my and my vet's opinion, indoor cats do not require the FeLV (feline leukemia vaccine). Distemper (RCCP) every three to five years, no more after age 9.

Never get the FIV vaccine, as your cat will then always test positive for the disease, and it is not known if it even is effective. FIV is not easily spread, as it requires deep bite wounds, such as fierce fighting, to be transmitted.

Originally Posted by otto

The Purevax rabies vaccine is safe and does not cause vaccine site sarcoma, it contains no adjuvant.

Click to expand...

While it is safer than the regular adjuvinated vaccine, I don't agree that it's safe. I've read an article which said that simply the insertion of a needle into the cat year after year can be a cause for sarcoma, regardless of what you are injecting.
If it wasn't the law, I wouldn't vaccinate for rabies every year, I would vaccinate once as a kitten, then a booster when he's 1 and then he will have immunity for 5-7 years, according to latest research on rabies vaccines. However, the ignorance and greed is endless and the law here says you have to vaccinate every three years (with the adjuvinated vaccine) or every year with the purevax, even though research has shown that this is too much, so, I vaccinate every year (purevax) knowing it's not good for him.... I'm not taking any chances of my cat biting someone and being put in quarantine. He never gets out so there is no way he can contract rabies, he's the only animal in the house and it's a small 3 bedroom house, there aren't any bats or rodents in here, even if there were rodents and he did get bitten, he would already be immune from having that one baby shot and booster.
As far as vaccines other than rabies, I do baby shots, 1 year and then every 5-7 years.

Fortunately, there is no mandatory rabies vaccine laws here in OH. At least, not yet, and hopefully it stays that way. My cats are not at risk to get this disease, so I'm already decided that my cats will not get this vaccine. The risks outweigh the benefits.

Truthfully, I should do more research into the diseases themselves - to know if they are something to fear, which ones are the most to fear, which ones are the most expensive to treat, which ones cause the most suffering, and which ones I might feel are necessary.. or maybe I'll find that I feel none are necessary.

I believe it is vaccines that are causing a lot of the chronic problems in cats (and dogs), and I'm worried about my cats developing a chronic allergy - something I could not afford to constantly treat.

My 2 oldest strictly indoor Angel kitties (Tigger and Taco) were vaccinated yearly from kittens, until about 3 yrs of age then I decided it was foolish to keep doing this. At the time I knew nothing about Vaccine Associated Sarcoma (likely nobody else really did, some 15 yrs ago, either). Sadly, I lost Taco to very aggressive Sarcoma this past February and I am willing to bet the farm that it was due to previous vaccines as a young one, based on the site (Vet pathologist who analyzed tissue from excised lumps suspected same, too).

My other 3, all young adults when I rescued them; they got the obligatory first set of shots but nothing more.

My 2 newest; Hobee and Bitsy (adopted from Humane Society; Hobee now 2 yrs old, Bitsy about 1 yr), they were already vaccinated there at the HS (won't let you adopt if not done). I did take them each for their Rabies shot, only because I don't know their history and in the event that they did bite someone during the "get to know them" process, I wanted to be somewhat protected.

It's not mandatory here in Canada to get Rabies vaccination however if your cat does bite someone, it will be quarantined.

My Vet clinic tried to put the fear of God into me that I should be getting ALL of my cats vaccinated for rabies each year, for the above reason but I'm not going to buy into the hysteria. They are strictly indoor cats.........ranging in ages: 1 yr, 2 yr, 13 yr, 14 yr, 15 yr. Unfortunately my Vet gives the Rabies shot in the scruff/shoulder area, which he shouldn't..so I pray that one day many years down the road, I'm not faced with another cat with VAS. I don't think he believes in VAS; thinks it's only the "old vaccines from 10 yrs ago" that are linked to it.

My cats are all healthy. The 3 older ones have never been sick at all (other than one who has Feline Herpes but only 2 bouts of this in all her life, and not that severe). I am not about to jump on the vaccination bandwagon. For our lifestyle, to me, it's nothing but a cash grab for my Vet. For he won't give any vaccine without doing a full exam and that's $70 so add $100 for Rabies (god only knows what the others are).......no way I'm paying $170 x 5 cats when I don't even believe it's necessary.

actually, now that I think about it, my 14 yr old Fuzzy had only her first set of shots after I rescued her (about ?1 yr at the time, maybe older?). She was so not herself for several days following, back very sore, wouldn't let you touch her, very "off." I concluded right there and then that was the last time she got her vaccinations and it was.

I bring my cats in for wellness exams twice a year, whether they are due for a vaccination or not.

However, at my clinic, for those who don't think check ups are necessary, one can bring the cat in for a "tech visit" meaning just the shots, and not have to have a check up or pay an office fee.

Rabies is rampant where I live, so my cats will continue to be protected with the annual purevax, even if it wasn't law.

Originally Posted by otto

I bring my cats in for wellness exams twice a year, whether they are due for a vaccination or not.

Click to expand...

I do too but it doesn't matter, at my clinic, how long ago the yearly exam was; could have been 2 months ago; the Vet will still not vaccinate any cat without doing another exam - which is a ridiculous joke of an exam anyway; checks temperature, looks at eyes, looks in ears, listens to heart, takes 2 minutes. It's not like he's really going to discuss some serious potential ailment with such a basic once-over. Believe me, if there's anything ever 'amiss' with any of my cats, to the point of them blinking the wrong way (LOL), I am there at the Vet.

In my part of Canada, Vet care is exorbitantly expensive, to the point of being almost extortion. A basic dental cleaning, no extractions, is $1000. A senior panel including basis urinalysis is $300. My Vet is a nice guy but all about the money but his clinic is the best of the 3 in my area so I have no choice. It just irks me when it's so obvious that they're all about the money. I realize he has to make a living but in this economy, a lot of families can't afford these costs and it's the animal that suffers in the end.

Last time I went for a check up, all the vet did was look at the teeth, ears, eyes, feel the abdominal area and listen to the heartbeat. It took less than a minute!! I am asking for blood work next time, because I feel like that isn't enough at all.

yeah, those fees are pretty awful. I am so happy with the clinic I use, and my vet in particular. It took 7 years and four other practices before I found them, and her.

I live in a poor rural area (dairy farmers) and the clinic keeps their fees low, otherwise many would not bring their pets in. I'd use them regardless of fees, but I am lucky in my vet care, I know.

Of course if I have to take a cat down to Cornell University Companion Hospital for a specialist or tests, I make sure I have an empty credit card! but again, to do that, I have to have proof of updated rabies vaccine. rabies is all too alive and well here, partly because not enough people vaccinate, but still let their cats roam outside.

We ALSO have low or no cost rabies clinics in every town and county around at least twice a year. You bring the cat to the designated place (Usually a fire house ) in a carrier, get the shot and certificate all for $5, or free, depending on the town.

Wow, Otto, I have to say I wish we had that kind of thing in the places I've lived. I've had people that allowed their pets-- dogs, cats, everything-- run around the neighborhood at will, with absolutely no vaccines. (why do people seem to feel "it won't happen to me"?)

I think that if the vaccines were provided at low or no cost, then there's be a far lower number of rabies cases. Having recently gone through the rabies series myself after getting bitten, I can tell you it's nothing you want to go through.

I make a plea that even if you're absolutely against all vaccines, even if there is NO law saying you have to do it, even if there is "NO way" your pet will ever get out, (there is always a way, however small a chance it may be) PLEASE at least give a rabies shot at LEAST every 2 to 3 years, regardless of the type you use.

Your pet is at risk for rabies as long as they are alive. Not to mention the consequences if your pet bites someone else.

Originally Posted by SamhainBorn

Wow, Otto, I have to say I wish we had that kind of thing in the places I've lived. I've had people that allowed their pets-- dogs, cats, everything-- run around the neighborhood at will, with absolutely no vaccines. (why do people seem to feel "it won't happen to me"?)

I think that if the vaccines were provided at low or no cost, then there's be a far lower number of rabies cases. Having recently gone through the rabies series myself after getting bitten, I can tell you it's nothing you want to go through.

I make a plea that even if you're absolutely against all vaccines, even if there is NO law saying you have to do it, even if there is "NO way" your pet will ever get out, (there is always a way, however small a chance it may be) PLEASE at least give a rabies shot at LEAST every 2 to 3 years, regardless of the type you use.

Your pet is at risk for rabies as long as they are alive. Not to mention the consequences if your pet bites someone else.

Click to expand...

I agree. All pets should be current on rabies vaccine all the time.

My mother had to go through the rabies series after being bitten by a cat of unknown status (they never found the cat)

Even with the free/low cost rabies clinics there are still cases of pets with rabies every year here. People just can't be bothered. Or "it won't happen to my pet, I don't believe in all that vaccine hype".

I will keep my cats protected.

Not worth the risk, in my opinion.

My cats stay inside. My dogs have all of their shots, as they of course go outside. My cats are not vaccinated unless they have to go to the vet for something else and he insists. They are not at risk for catching anything when they never leave the house. The dogs don't bring anything in since they have had their shots. My first cat, Black Magic, was hardly ever vaccinated and he lived a healthy life to 19 years old. My oldest cat, Snowball, is 16 and has never had a sick day.

At least, not yet, and hopefully it stays that way. My cats are not at risk to get this disease, so I'm already decided that my cats will not get this vaccine

Click to expand...

This was regarding rabies.

Ohio has no cases of rabies? Here in beautiful DuPage County, Illinois - we have cases of rabies every year....we have reports of rabid bats getting into homes every now and again. And, not exactly a rural area here - one of the wealthiest counties in the States. Yet our pets are still at risk.

First, I think most of the medical literature regarding vaccines, human or otherwise, shows a preponderance of scientific evidence in favor of vaccines (nope, I don't see a link between autism and vaccinations at this point).

Beyond that, I think anyone who believes their pet is totally free from risk is walking a dangerous path. Third, if nothing else, better hope your pet never ever nips anyone - or else the pet will be in quarantine before you know it, and, I'm sorry, rightfully so.

For me, this is definitely a situation where you talk with your health care professional - the internet is not necessarily an irrefutable source of information.

Originally Posted by Bridget

My cats stay inside. My dogs have all of their shots, as they of course go outside. My cats are not vaccinated unless they have to go to the vet for something else and he insists. They are not at risk for catching anything when they never leave the house. The dogs don't bring anything in since they have had their shots. My first cat, Black Magic, was hardly ever vaccinated and he lived a healthy life to 19 years old. My oldest cat, Snowball, is 16 and has never had a sick day.

Click to expand...

Not vaccinating for rabies is playing russian roulette with your cats, in my opinion. But I've already said all this in this thread, (more than once I know, haha) Did you read through the whole thread? ALL cats are at risk for rabies, whether they go outside or not.

Any cat that bites, even a "I'm scared" nip at the vet, and is not up to date on rabies vaccine is subject to quarantine, and in some places euthanasia.

All it takes is once. One bat in the house, one time the cat slips outside, for whatever reason. The chances may be minute, I agree, but...all it takes is once.

I need peace of mind, and keeping my cats' rabies vaccines up to date gives me that.

my two cents, as someone who just got over a slight VAS scare with marvin (who had a (adjuvanted) rabies vaccination site lump that persisted for 9 weeks), is that going forward i will have my cats vaccinated with the purevax vaccine once every 3 years. this is actually my (new) vet's procedure for all. she knows it's 'slightly' outside of the law since purevax is meant to be an annual vaccine, but she (and I) believe that the risk of overvaccination is worse. especially for marvin, since he's already had a vaccine reaction.

having said all that, i think animals need to be vaccinated for rabies, and this is why. my first cat sid, never ever went outside, was strictly an indoor kitty. however, as a first time pet owner (and one who never gave vaccinations much thought, who did 11 years ago?) he was always kept up to date on his rabies vac. one summer night, sure enough i heard a 'chittering' sound in the bedroom, and there he was, proudly walking around with his catch, mr. bat. i was horrified, and VERY GRATEFUL that he had a current vaccination. it was the only time a bat ever got in that house (through the attic, we assume), but i assure you, if you ever get one, your cat will be on it like a fly on poo. a flying mouse, are you kidding? it was the best toy ever! it's true what's been said, it only takes one chance encounter, and to me it's just not worth the risk.