Please read this article called "Are vaccinations helpful or harmful"? It will make you think twice about vaccinations
http://www.holisticat.com/vaccinations.html
-
Too many ads? Join our community of cat lovers now to reduce ads by 90%! Click here to join for free!
Vaccinations: Annually or Not?
- Thread starter jenk
- Start Date
I have read the articles and know the risks. It is the same for childrens vaccines. I still innoculated my children. I would not risk any of my kitties, but the sad truth is I feel better with than without.
I know rabies is only caught from another animal, it does not have to be another cat. If your kitty visits other kitties and they have been given a live vaccine your kitty could catch that disease. If a rabid mouse got in it could infect your kitty. The authorities will not care if the cat has never left the house, the only way to prove the cat does not have rabies is to destroy the cat and do a necropsy.
As for the injections, I am looking into an intra nasel vaccine that will keep the kitty from the risk of cancer from injections. The side affects are supossed to be milder as well.
The Rabies will still have to be injected though.
Slave to Ragdolls Did you read the third paragraph in your article? It is saying that you should let cats die off so the stronger ones can replace them. Isn't that kind of harsh? How would you feel if that vet was called to treat your sick cat and they told you to let it die as the stronger, healthier cats are better suited to live?
The article didn't impress me very much as there were nothing but statements of "often, in some cases, almost never, probably, in my opinion" ect. The early quote wasn't even a medical book quote it was a dated quote from someones opinion. It is all speculation as far as I could see. Please reread the article and look for definate statements. Such and such will cause this to happen. I don't think you will find any.
I know rabies is only caught from another animal, it does not have to be another cat. If your kitty visits other kitties and they have been given a live vaccine your kitty could catch that disease. If a rabid mouse got in it could infect your kitty. The authorities will not care if the cat has never left the house, the only way to prove the cat does not have rabies is to destroy the cat and do a necropsy.
As for the injections, I am looking into an intra nasel vaccine that will keep the kitty from the risk of cancer from injections. The side affects are supossed to be milder as well.
The Rabies will still have to be injected though.
Slave to Ragdolls Did you read the third paragraph in your article? It is saying that you should let cats die off so the stronger ones can replace them. Isn't that kind of harsh? How would you feel if that vet was called to treat your sick cat and they told you to let it die as the stronger, healthier cats are better suited to live?
The article didn't impress me very much as there were nothing but statements of "often, in some cases, almost never, probably, in my opinion" ect. The early quote wasn't even a medical book quote it was a dated quote from someones opinion. It is all speculation as far as I could see. Please reread the article and look for definate statements. Such and such will cause this to happen. I don't think you will find any.
If this stuff is really true...Originally posted by Slave2_Ragdolls
Please read this article called "Are vaccinations helpful or harmful"? It will make you think twice about vaccinationshttp://www.holisticat.com/vaccinations.html
Zoey has had these vaccinations before she left the shelter.
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2003
- Messages
- 4,005
- Purraise
- 31
In some states (Texas, for instance) an annual rabies vaccine is required by law. Vets here were until recently required to give the 3-year vaccine every year, because rabies is such a problem. Now that the sarcoma risk has received more publicity, vets are allowed to give a special cat rabies vaccine that is good for 1 year (I think it is called Purevax).
Teresa's point about a cat being destroyed in case of a bite to determine if rabies is present is correct - they simply will not take your word that your cat couldn't have been exposed. Please check with your vet about the laws in your state to determine if your pet is legally required to receive the rabies vaccination. The rabies vaccines available now are safer than those used years ago, and the rabies vaccine is the least likely of them all to produce an allergic response - the vet told me that Mr.'s reaction was more likely from the distemper combo or the FELV vaccine.
*if you do have to vaccinate for rabies, check with your vet to make sure they use the safe cat vaccine - some vets here still give cats the 3-year one they use on dogs because they don't want to bother with ordering & storing 2 different types of rabies vaccine.*
Teresa's point about a cat being destroyed in case of a bite to determine if rabies is present is correct - they simply will not take your word that your cat couldn't have been exposed. Please check with your vet about the laws in your state to determine if your pet is legally required to receive the rabies vaccination. The rabies vaccines available now are safer than those used years ago, and the rabies vaccine is the least likely of them all to produce an allergic response - the vet told me that Mr.'s reaction was more likely from the distemper combo or the FELV vaccine.
*if you do have to vaccinate for rabies, check with your vet to make sure they use the safe cat vaccine - some vets here still give cats the 3-year one they use on dogs because they don't want to bother with ordering & storing 2 different types of rabies vaccine.*
Well since Zoey bites.. (not skin breaking but still... you never know) I will probly get her the rabies vaccine because now that I checked I believe its a law that they must be vaccinated for Rabies. I definately wouldnt want anyone destroying my cat to find out if she's been vaccinated..
that's just ridiculous.
I think that instead of trying to decide if we should or shouldnt vaccinate out cats we should take all that thought and put it into researching HOW to vaccinate our cats.
If you vaccinate safely and smartly than chances are you will not run into a problem. I have worked at a vaccine clinic for over 4 years and we have had cats die in our other regions that were simply given too many vaccines. If you follow these basic guidelines you can be more at ease w/vaccinating and not run into any problems w/the law or neighbors.
1. NEVER give more than one vaccine per time. They can be separated as little as 3-4 days or as long as 2-4 weeks.
2. ALWAYS give vaccines in the shoulder or hind leg. If your cat does end up getting a sarcoma (which ARE NOT only from vaccines) than the limb can easily be amputated and your cat will go on to live a happy healthy life.
3. NEVER leave your cat alone after they receive vaccines. Most vaccine reactions happen w/in the first 20-45 minutes, but some can happen even after that. The ones that happen right away are usually the most severe and yes can lead to death, but QUICK action can help your kitty. Also learn the difference between normal vaccine reactions and harmful vaccine reactions.
Normal Vaccine Reactions: Cranky, slight fever, lethargic, no interest in food, water or playing, may be a bit sore for 24-48 hours, hide and not want to come out. As long as you heck on your kitty just let them sleep and get through it. Most people who have children know these symptoms all too well!
Adverse Vaccine Reactions: Excessive vomitting and/or diarreah, seizures, facial swelling, limp.
4. If your cat has had a vaccine reaction to a particular vaccine DO NOT give it again.
5. If you are really truely worried you can pre-medicate your cat with Childrens Benadryl Allergy 15-30 minutes before the vaccine is given or have the vet give injectable Benadry at the office the same time the vaccine is given.
***If your cat is pre-medicated it will be very sleepy for the rest of the day which is a normal side effect to the medicine***
Teresa is every bit right, our cats lives are too precious to risk. We wouldnt dare not think to vaccine our children for Polio or Mumps, and the risks of them catching it are slim.
Here are two GREAT links to groups of people who are trying to get the word out on how to safely vaccinate our cats and educate the public about Sarcomas and vaccine reactions. They will also send you breeder packets to hand out to kitten buyers!
http://catshots.com & http://www.shorti-online.org
If you vaccinate safely and smartly than chances are you will not run into a problem. I have worked at a vaccine clinic for over 4 years and we have had cats die in our other regions that were simply given too many vaccines. If you follow these basic guidelines you can be more at ease w/vaccinating and not run into any problems w/the law or neighbors.
1. NEVER give more than one vaccine per time. They can be separated as little as 3-4 days or as long as 2-4 weeks.
2. ALWAYS give vaccines in the shoulder or hind leg. If your cat does end up getting a sarcoma (which ARE NOT only from vaccines) than the limb can easily be amputated and your cat will go on to live a happy healthy life.
3. NEVER leave your cat alone after they receive vaccines. Most vaccine reactions happen w/in the first 20-45 minutes, but some can happen even after that. The ones that happen right away are usually the most severe and yes can lead to death, but QUICK action can help your kitty. Also learn the difference between normal vaccine reactions and harmful vaccine reactions.
Normal Vaccine Reactions: Cranky, slight fever, lethargic, no interest in food, water or playing, may be a bit sore for 24-48 hours, hide and not want to come out. As long as you heck on your kitty just let them sleep and get through it. Most people who have children know these symptoms all too well!
Adverse Vaccine Reactions: Excessive vomitting and/or diarreah, seizures, facial swelling, limp.
4. If your cat has had a vaccine reaction to a particular vaccine DO NOT give it again.
5. If you are really truely worried you can pre-medicate your cat with Childrens Benadryl Allergy 15-30 minutes before the vaccine is given or have the vet give injectable Benadry at the office the same time the vaccine is given.
***If your cat is pre-medicated it will be very sleepy for the rest of the day which is a normal side effect to the medicine***
Teresa is every bit right, our cats lives are too precious to risk. We wouldnt dare not think to vaccine our children for Polio or Mumps, and the risks of them catching it are slim.
Here are two GREAT links to groups of people who are trying to get the word out on how to safely vaccinate our cats and educate the public about Sarcomas and vaccine reactions. They will also send you breeder packets to hand out to kitten buyers!
http://catshots.com & http://www.shorti-online.org
Tillie had a severe vaccine reaction to the rabies vaccine she got this year. She began vomiting within 30 seconds of the injection and was in acute distress. The vet gave her an injection of Benadryl and sat with us to observe her for another 10 minutes afterwards to make sure she was alright.
Poor Tillie! She was sooo sick! She had no problem a month later though when she got her 3 in 1 (distemper etc) vaccine. So it is the rabies shot she is allergic to.
Poor Tillie! She was sooo sick! She had no problem a month later though when she got her 3 in 1 (distemper etc) vaccine. So it is the rabies shot she is allergic to.
Yeah.. someone tell me how Zoey is going to get Feline Leukemia being an indoor cat? I can understand maybe vaccinating for distemper and/or upper respitory diseases because those could be transferable from humans touching other cats then touching your cat etc.. and rabies ok, because there's a law, but that's as far as I'd go!
Thank you for the education on where to give the vaccines. I will make sure my vet gives Zoey vaccines (if any) in her hind legs.
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2003
- Messages
- 4,005
- Purraise
- 31
It's highly unlikely an indoor-only cat would be exposed to FELV. You don't even take her out on a leash, do you?
Momof10, I've never heard of a rabies vacc reaction. Yikes! That day Mr. reacted was one of the worst days I've ever had! (he had already left the vet so it took awhile to get him to the ER - think that's why he was so ill). I'm glad your baby came through OK.
Most vets who have the interests of the pet foremost will be happy to discuss your individual cat's vaccine risks vs. benefits. But it certainly can't hurt to be an educated consumer!
If your vets realize this, then they'll understand that you don't need the annual vaccinations push to get you in for the annual exam, and can honestly make a recommendation based on the welfare of your cat.
Momof10, I've never heard of a rabies vacc reaction. Yikes! That day Mr. reacted was one of the worst days I've ever had! (he had already left the vet so it took awhile to get him to the ER - think that's why he was so ill). I'm glad your baby came through OK.
Most vets who have the interests of the pet foremost will be happy to discuss your individual cat's vaccine risks vs. benefits. But it certainly can't hurt to be an educated consumer!
Nope! Cant really around here anyway even if I wanted to .. its just busy streets and apartment complexes.
I have seen strictly indoor cats contract FeLV. If your cat sits in an open window, with the screen down and an infected cat hisses at your cat the saliva can be transfered through the screen and onto your cat. This is not a rare occurance. I have seen MANY cats come down w/FeLV that way.
Also, you never know when someone else is going to be careless and your cat will escape. Most cats given the opportunity will bolt out that door w/out even thinking twice.
If your cat stays at the vet hospital (to be altered, dental cleaning, etc) and there is an FeLV+ cat chances are that walking past cages w/the cat in someone arms there is going to be hissing and spitting. At the hospital I work at we put towels over the heads of the cats so they cannot see other cats b/c about 3 years ago we had that above situation happen and FeLV was transmitted w/in our hospital.
Not all hospital are as careful as we are now, and to be frank accidents do happen weather at home or at the vet. I personally feel more comfortable knowing that my cats are protected for FeLV just in case.
Also, the chances of your cat getting a sarcoma are 1-10 cats for every 10,000 vaccinated. And those statistics are from about 5 years ago and we have learned A LOT more about preventing sacromas since.
Also, you never know when someone else is going to be careless and your cat will escape. Most cats given the opportunity will bolt out that door w/out even thinking twice.
If your cat stays at the vet hospital (to be altered, dental cleaning, etc) and there is an FeLV+ cat chances are that walking past cages w/the cat in someone arms there is going to be hissing and spitting. At the hospital I work at we put towels over the heads of the cats so they cannot see other cats b/c about 3 years ago we had that above situation happen and FeLV was transmitted w/in our hospital.
Not all hospital are as careful as we are now, and to be frank accidents do happen weather at home or at the vet. I personally feel more comfortable knowing that my cats are protected for FeLV just in case.
Also, the chances of your cat getting a sarcoma are 1-10 cats for every 10,000 vaccinated. And those statistics are from about 5 years ago and we have learned A LOT more about preventing sacromas since.
Hello everyone,
I'm new here. I have 5 cats, 3 of them are positive with the FIP corona virus. I was wondering if any of you have any FIPV positive cats and are still vaccinating them for their annual shots? (Not the FIP vaccine of course, but all the other ones). I don't know what to do, if I should continue giving them their shots or not.
I orginally only had 3 indoor cats who got their annual shots but in December I brought in two strays who were FIPV positive (I didn't know about FIP until after they got infected, my vet never mentioned this to me before or I wouldn't have introduced them). I'm just concerned about giving them the vaccines now in case it increases their chances in developing FIP since they all are exposed to the virus now.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!
I'm new here. I have 5 cats, 3 of them are positive with the FIP corona virus. I was wondering if any of you have any FIPV positive cats and are still vaccinating them for their annual shots? (Not the FIP vaccine of course, but all the other ones). I don't know what to do, if I should continue giving them their shots or not.
I orginally only had 3 indoor cats who got their annual shots but in December I brought in two strays who were FIPV positive (I didn't know about FIP until after they got infected, my vet never mentioned this to me before or I wouldn't have introduced them). I'm just concerned about giving them the vaccines now in case it increases their chances in developing FIP since they all are exposed to the virus now.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!
Are you talking about FIP or FELV or FIV? FIP is a fatal infectious disease, there is no cure, and the vaccine is controversial. *IF* you are actually saying your cats are FIP+, you need a new vet immediately, if he's telling you you need to re-vaccinate, etc, there's something wrong with this picture.
Assuming you're talking about FELV, there is no actual harm in re-vaccinating, there is a theory that in carrier state, the vaccine can actually help reduce the clinical signs and symptoms. But, if an FELV+ kitty is immunocompromised, I wouldn't suggest revaccinating, but rather, frequent and followup veterinary care. (more frequent than your average annual check-up, and keeping ahead of secondary infections common with FELV+ kitties)
For reference, the new FIV vaccine is also controversial at this point in time, in theory, it only targets two different strains of the virus, and I believe there are about 5 strains, geographical area also needs to be taken into consideration when considering the new vaccine. While many vets are implementing the new vaccine into their practice, they are doing so with the knowledge that there is not enough clinical research or evidence regarding the efficacy and the different strains of the virus. It is being used as a preventative measure of course.................Traci
Thanks for your reply.
My cats are FIPV positive which means they only have the virus of FIP and not actual FIP positive. The virus has not developed into the deadly disease FIP but they are at risk which is why I try to keep them as healthy as possible by giving them vitamins to keep their immune system strong.
I wouldn't vaccinate them with the FIP vaccine even if they didn't already have the virus, as I have also heard it is controversy. It's too much of a risk.
I was just wondering if it is still neccessary to vaccine them with the other vaccines like Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Chlamydia, Leukemia, and Rabies. Or if it effects them anymore to develop a disease, having them already positive for the FIP virus.
It's confusing, I know, sorry.
You are right though, my one vet doesn't know much about it, when these cats were tested for FIP she actually told that they were FIP positive! Which scared me because I thought they were going to die. I had to do research on the internet to find out that they just had the virus that mutates into the disease. Although not out of the water altogether, but at least I know it's just the virus they have. She just didn't know the difference. There is only one test for FIP and it is only the test to see if they have the virus, there is no actual test for FIP as I have been told. The only test of FIP is a biopsy after the animal has passed.
Anyway, I hope this cleared it up a little. My 11 year old cat is due for her shots last month, I don't know if I should get them or not.I just want to do what is best for them and try to protect them as much as I can, it's hard to do so when vaccines are hard to understand how they work or effect the body.
Maybe I should not give them to them at all just to be safe. It's just there is still that thing in the back of my mind saying if they get sick, maybe it's because I stopped the vaccinations.
I don't know what to do.
Sorry this message is long.
My cats are FIPV positive which means they only have the virus of FIP and not actual FIP positive. The virus has not developed into the deadly disease FIP but they are at risk which is why I try to keep them as healthy as possible by giving them vitamins to keep their immune system strong.
I wouldn't vaccinate them with the FIP vaccine even if they didn't already have the virus, as I have also heard it is controversy. It's too much of a risk.
I was just wondering if it is still neccessary to vaccine them with the other vaccines like Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Chlamydia, Leukemia, and Rabies. Or if it effects them anymore to develop a disease, having them already positive for the FIP virus.
It's confusing, I know, sorry.
You are right though, my one vet doesn't know much about it, when these cats were tested for FIP she actually told that they were FIP positive! Which scared me because I thought they were going to die. I had to do research on the internet to find out that they just had the virus that mutates into the disease. Although not out of the water altogether, but at least I know it's just the virus they have. She just didn't know the difference. There is only one test for FIP and it is only the test to see if they have the virus, there is no actual test for FIP as I have been told. The only test of FIP is a biopsy after the animal has passed.
Anyway, I hope this cleared it up a little. My 11 year old cat is due for her shots last month, I don't know if I should get them or not.I just want to do what is best for them and try to protect them as much as I can, it's hard to do so when vaccines are hard to understand how they work or effect the body.
Maybe I should not give them to them at all just to be safe. It's just there is still that thing in the back of my mind saying if they get sick, maybe it's because I stopped the vaccinations.
I don't know what to do.
Sorry this message is long.
Thank you for elaborating on that!
If I understand correctly, the last annuals were given in December, but your oldest was due for her annual last month. So, if you've been vaccinating with FVRCP every year, I would suggest an every 3 year approach instead (which is the AAFP's current guidelines, not set in stone, but to be used as a guideline based on risk factors and individual need). I do suggest the FVRCP due to increased epidemics of feline panleukopenia (distemper) across the nation of late. If, however, your cats are strictly indoors only and have zero chance of exposure to infected cats, then you might consider not revaccinating at all, but I hesitate to advise this because one can never guarantee the risk factor. Examples: moving, boarding for whatever reason, house fire, natural disaster etc in which you can't control the situation of where your cats will be housed, new adopted cats, fosters, outdoor cat handling, etc etc.
As for your 11-year-old, I would consider ceasing to vaccinating her, but you have to base this on the risk factors, her general health status, etc. If you are considering foregoing vaccinating at all for any of your cats, I strongly recommend more frequent vet exams and annual blood profiling for any cat over the age of 6.
As for the FIP coronavirus, I assume your vet performed the ELISA specific titer, or PCR, which of course only detects a coronavirus. If the titers happened to be four-fold (over the reference range), then your vet may have reason to suspect and caution overexposure. But, when dealing with titers and exposure, one also has to take into consideration clinical signs and symptoms, other bloodwork that may be significant for organ failure, common symptoms of the disease. If any of your cats happen to already have a primary health condition, or if they are immunocompromised in the least, then that exposure could very well develop into clinical FIP. In that event, I would consider more frequent check-ups, and maybe a basic CBC or even an FELV/FIV snap test, to keep ahead of the potential. If clinical signs of the disease manifest, then you would want to re-titer and see what the antibody levels are, combine that with symptoms and other bloodwork to help confirm.
There is no easy answer or solution to the vaccination issues for your cats. The key is to have a working relationship with your vet and that your vet is current with literature and research and takes each individual need of your cats into careful consideration in order to tailor a vaccination approach. For your younger cats, I would continue to vaccinate for FVRCP and Rabies (your vet or another vet may refuse to see or treat your cats if Rabies is not given, and if an accident occurs while treating your unvaccinated cat, you could be in a world of trouble with quarantine regulations, this varies amoung clinics and states). However, the Rabies vaccine can also be given on a 3-year basis.
To answer your question about the vaccines in general, given the FIP exposure, I don't think the FVRCP and Rabies is going to induce an suppressed immune system, but this is certainly an area you want to discuss with your vet on the offchance one or more of your cats is already compromised with a concurrent health condition. If you feel your vet is inexperienced or not up-to-standard on vaccines, you might want to consider looking for a more knowledgable vet....................Traci
If I understand correctly, the last annuals were given in December, but your oldest was due for her annual last month. So, if you've been vaccinating with FVRCP every year, I would suggest an every 3 year approach instead (which is the AAFP's current guidelines, not set in stone, but to be used as a guideline based on risk factors and individual need). I do suggest the FVRCP due to increased epidemics of feline panleukopenia (distemper) across the nation of late. If, however, your cats are strictly indoors only and have zero chance of exposure to infected cats, then you might consider not revaccinating at all, but I hesitate to advise this because one can never guarantee the risk factor. Examples: moving, boarding for whatever reason, house fire, natural disaster etc in which you can't control the situation of where your cats will be housed, new adopted cats, fosters, outdoor cat handling, etc etc.
As for your 11-year-old, I would consider ceasing to vaccinating her, but you have to base this on the risk factors, her general health status, etc. If you are considering foregoing vaccinating at all for any of your cats, I strongly recommend more frequent vet exams and annual blood profiling for any cat over the age of 6.
As for the FIP coronavirus, I assume your vet performed the ELISA specific titer, or PCR, which of course only detects a coronavirus. If the titers happened to be four-fold (over the reference range), then your vet may have reason to suspect and caution overexposure. But, when dealing with titers and exposure, one also has to take into consideration clinical signs and symptoms, other bloodwork that may be significant for organ failure, common symptoms of the disease. If any of your cats happen to already have a primary health condition, or if they are immunocompromised in the least, then that exposure could very well develop into clinical FIP. In that event, I would consider more frequent check-ups, and maybe a basic CBC or even an FELV/FIV snap test, to keep ahead of the potential. If clinical signs of the disease manifest, then you would want to re-titer and see what the antibody levels are, combine that with symptoms and other bloodwork to help confirm.
There is no easy answer or solution to the vaccination issues for your cats. The key is to have a working relationship with your vet and that your vet is current with literature and research and takes each individual need of your cats into careful consideration in order to tailor a vaccination approach. For your younger cats, I would continue to vaccinate for FVRCP and Rabies (your vet or another vet may refuse to see or treat your cats if Rabies is not given, and if an accident occurs while treating your unvaccinated cat, you could be in a world of trouble with quarantine regulations, this varies amoung clinics and states). However, the Rabies vaccine can also be given on a 3-year basis.
To answer your question about the vaccines in general, given the FIP exposure, I don't think the FVRCP and Rabies is going to induce an suppressed immune system, but this is certainly an area you want to discuss with your vet on the offchance one or more of your cats is already compromised with a concurrent health condition. If you feel your vet is inexperienced or not up-to-standard on vaccines, you might want to consider looking for a more knowledgable vet....................Traci
My oh My I never knew there was so much to vaccinations! I always just took my cats in when the vet said to.
I will now rethink this, although I do believe my vet is up on all the latest info.
My question on this topic is what do all of the initials mean? It sems that there are many more diseases than what I have ever vaccinated against. Thanks
I will now rethink this, although I do believe my vet is up on all the latest info.
My question on this topic is what do all of the initials mean? It sems that there are many more diseases than what I have ever vaccinated against. Thanks
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2003
- Messages
- 4,005
- Purraise
- 31
RV=rabies
FVRCP=feline distemper combination
FIP=feline infectious peritonitis (my vet doesn't vaccinate for this - he says the vaccine is not effective and can cause problems)
FELV=feline leukemia virus
FIV=feline immunodeficiency virus (feline AIDS - not transmissible to humans - there is a new vaccine for this & my vet recommends it - I've vaccinated the cats that go outdoors for it)
FVRCP=feline distemper combination
FIP=feline infectious peritonitis (my vet doesn't vaccinate for this - he says the vaccine is not effective and can cause problems)
FELV=feline leukemia virus
FIV=feline immunodeficiency virus (feline AIDS - not transmissible to humans - there is a new vaccine for this & my vet recommends it - I've vaccinated the cats that go outdoors for it)
Wow! Thank-you Traci for your advice.
All my cats are strickly indoor cats. The 3 cats I had before I brought the strays home were all up to date with their shots and were disease free except for of course for my 3 year old, Jasper who has Lymphocytic plasmacytic stomatitis (LPS)(it's not contigeous and is an auto immune disease of the gums and lining of the mouth and throat). After I brought the strays home, the FIP virus spread to Jasper.I got Jake tested (1 yr old-already in the household) and it came up negative. I never had Kitty tested because I figured, once an animal is infected there is little you can do about it (Besides I don't want to know anyway, it already tears me up inside to think about it. If they show symtoms I will know then). So I keep everything as clean as possible by cleaning litterboxes and bowls frequently. Kitty eats from her own dishes and has her own litterbox. I don't allow them to groom each other but it's hard to keep an eye on them when I'm not around and they just love each other so much! It's hard to scold them when they don't know what they are doing is wrong. So as I see it they all very well might have the virus.
I will talk to my vet about it more but I don't think she will be helpful when it comes to vaccines and FIPV. As it is Jasper's vet(a different vet) doesn't want me to vaccinate him anymore because of the risk to him because of his problem.
Btw, it was the ELISA test they took back in december, Jasper and Peanut's (younger stray) test came back with a low count but Wally's (older stray) came back with a higher count putting him at more of a risk. In general they all seem to be doing well. Jake occationally gets the sniffles but it goes away in a few days. Jasper has his own problems -unrelated and Kitty has a constipation problem. Besides that the two strays are fine, although Wally has become bloated lately which scares me because that is one of the signs of FIP. But he is happy and shows no signs of discomfort (I may be just a nervous mom though, knowing what I have found from research on the net).
I will make sure I take them reguarly for check ups if I decide not to vaccinate them. Being strickly indoor cats I think they may be ok, but I'll have to ask the vet's opinion regardless.
Thanks for your help and suggestions.
All my cats are strickly indoor cats. The 3 cats I had before I brought the strays home were all up to date with their shots and were disease free except for of course for my 3 year old, Jasper who has Lymphocytic plasmacytic stomatitis (LPS)(it's not contigeous and is an auto immune disease of the gums and lining of the mouth and throat). After I brought the strays home, the FIP virus spread to Jasper.I got Jake tested (1 yr old-already in the household) and it came up negative. I never had Kitty tested because I figured, once an animal is infected there is little you can do about it (Besides I don't want to know anyway, it already tears me up inside to think about it. If they show symtoms I will know then). So I keep everything as clean as possible by cleaning litterboxes and bowls frequently. Kitty eats from her own dishes and has her own litterbox. I don't allow them to groom each other but it's hard to keep an eye on them when I'm not around and they just love each other so much! It's hard to scold them when they don't know what they are doing is wrong. So as I see it they all very well might have the virus.
I will talk to my vet about it more but I don't think she will be helpful when it comes to vaccines and FIPV. As it is Jasper's vet(a different vet) doesn't want me to vaccinate him anymore because of the risk to him because of his problem.
Btw, it was the ELISA test they took back in december, Jasper and Peanut's (younger stray) test came back with a low count but Wally's (older stray) came back with a higher count putting him at more of a risk. In general they all seem to be doing well. Jake occationally gets the sniffles but it goes away in a few days. Jasper has his own problems -unrelated and Kitty has a constipation problem. Besides that the two strays are fine, although Wally has become bloated lately which scares me because that is one of the signs of FIP. But he is happy and shows no signs of discomfort (I may be just a nervous mom though, knowing what I have found from research on the net).
I will make sure I take them reguarly for check ups if I decide not to vaccinate them. Being strickly indoor cats I think they may be ok, but I'll have to ask the vet's opinion regardless.
Thanks for your help and suggestions.
