Feline Leukemia Vaccine and Pregnancy

A little over a month ago I rescued a cat from animal control that was pregnant. I'm fully ready and capable of caring for her and her kittens. I took her to the vet for an URI and got antibiotics for her. 3 vets have told me she was pregnant. I could feel the kittens when I petted her belly so I'm doubtful that it was a false pregnancy. About 3 weeks ago the vet gave her the feline leukemia vaccine. The vet was aware my kitty was pregnant. I made the assumption that since she knew my kitty was pregnant anything she gave her would be safe or she would let me know if it wasn't. Now I can no longer feel the kittens and I think she is loosing her belly. I've been doing some research and have seen several articles that say a pregnant cat should never be vaccinated unless absolutely necessary, especially the feline leukemia vaccine. I have another appointment with the vet tomorrow. I was wondering if anyone could give me an idea on what the likelihood is that the vaccine that was given to my cat caused her to loose the kittens. I'm assuming it was reabsorption because I haven't found any evidence that she aborpted. I intent to confront my vet about it tomorrow in either case. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

If you could feel the kittens moving, she was only about 2 weeks from giving birth. If she was that far along, it's too late for her to have resorbed the kittens, so if they died inside of her they'll have to be removed or she'll become septic. Have the vet do an x-ray to see if anything is left inside.

I couldn't feel the kittens moving alot like you would expect if she was close to giving birth but I could feel the bumps on her tummy that most people consider being the heads. They weren't really active yet but they were definitely kittens. At what point are they beyond reabsorption? My best guess was she was maybe 5 weeks when she got the shot. I'm just not sure what happened. She was healthy and the pregnancy was going well since I got her. The vaccine was the only negative variable that I know now was dangerous. I'll definitely have her checked tomorrow but I've lost a lot of faith in my vet for giving her that vaccine knowing she was pregnant especially without telling me it posed a risk to the kittens. If I had known I would never have done it. I guess I'm just upset I don't know what happened and I don't feel like I was getting the treatment info from my vet that I should have been. I mean that's why you go to a vet to begin with.

I've been reading up on the vaccine for Leukemia - and, IMHO, it shouldn't be used - I wouldn't give her another one next year, (if she were mine) either.

I assume that she's living outside, with other cats, is the reason the vet gave it to her???

We have Buddy, who tested positive for Feline Leukemia - he is confined to our former guest room. We have 7 other cats, and a lot of the advice has been for us to get the others tested, and if neg. then get the vaccine. But after my research I'm not going to put them at risk by giving the vaccine.

Please understand, this is my opinion, I'm not a vet - so, of course, you'll need to do what you feel is best based on the circumstances that you have.

Older cats usually are the least at risk of getting FeLV.

Oh, and from what I've been reading about all the tests - they don't seem to be 100% accurate - and therefore, IMO, unreliable.

I hope the kittens are just being quiet before their birth - glad you'll be taking her to the vet to have her checked.

She actually is not an outside cat. She is strictly indoors and all of my other cats are negative so I suppose her chances of getting it are slim.

Originally Posted by GloriaJH

I've been reading up on the vaccine for Leukemia - and, IMHO, it shouldn't be used - I wouldn't give her another one next year, (if she were mine) either.

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The vets in this country will not give leukemia vaccines to cats unless specifically requested (it's considered as 'not much of a use' vaccine as it's 'too unreliable'). I don't know anyone who has actually gotten the vaccine for their cat(s).

I also cannot believe your vet just gave it to your cat. I have never had a cat vaccinated for it, I have never known anyone to either unless they have an outdoor cat. That is really strange. Did he ask if you wanted it or just do it?