What Cat Vaccinations Are Needed? Also, where to bring cat...

Hello. This is my first time on this website so please I hope I am not asking the same question(s) that have been asked over and over...

Anyway, I have a cat who found me one day...she just greeted me in my driveway once day and now she has been running my life for the past 3 years! (in a good way) I have been getting her vaccinated for rabies and distemper but I have not had her vaccinated for feline leukemia. She is an indoor/outdoor cat. I am hesitant to get her this vaccine because I have heard that it can have very harsh side effects, sometimes causes more harm than good...has anyone heard this before? I don't want to get this vaccine unless it is absolutely necessary.

Also, I have been taking her to LuvMyPet, where they offer discounted vaccinations. But I just recently saw a sign for a Nomad Pet Care where they give discount vaccinations (they travel to locations) and they are going to be about 1 mile from my house. I called Nomad to get information about the vaccinations and I am a little concerned after talking to the man. First of all, he said that they do not test a cat for feline leukemia before they give a vaccination (I have never heard of this before, is that safe?) Second, based on my conversation, I don't think the man giving the vaccinations is a veterinarian. Should this be an issue? It seems like it would be, but maybe I am overreacting.

Any insight/info would be greatly appreciated!

I have never heard of giving the leukemia vaccine without first testing. I would think that given the leukemia virus compromises the immune system giving the vaccine to a cat that has the virus would not be safe. The leukemia vaccine has a higher rate of sarcomas associated with it than with some of the other vaccines. Since she is an indoor/outdoor cat she does need to be tested and vaccinated if she is negative. Have you tried changing her into an indoor only cat? Even if you are successful in turning her into an indoor only cat she still needs to be checked for the leukemia virus.

I appreciate your response. I also thought it was a little odd that they would give a vaccine without first testing. The more I thought about it, the more I thought it probably wasn't a good idea. I will pay a little more and get more promising care.

There is no way she would want to be an indoor cat. She absolutely loves being outside. If she is in for more then a couple hours (when it is pretty/warm) outside, she will go crazy meowing at the door. She loves to come in to sleep for the night but she loves the freedom to go in and out. I would feel bad depriving her from that.

I guess I was just torn on whether or not to get the leukemia vaccine. I only want to get her the vaccines that are absolutely necessary.

If she goes outide get her the vaccine, you never know if it's lurking in your neighborhood. My outside(feral) cats all look and act healthy but at least 2, if not 3 or all 4(had a new cat show up) have FeLV. If anyone in this neighborhood got a cat and made it an inside/outside cat and didn't vaccinate it that cat would be at serious risk.

The FeLV vaccine itself would not hurt the cat even if she were to be positive, it's just dead FeLV virus, and the other vaccines will not hurt your cat and are absolutely vital if your cat is positive(I have FeLV+ cats.)

Have her tested and I'd have her vaccinated if she is negative.

Taryn