The annual flu shot: necessary or $-making scheme for drug companies?

I guess the title of my post sums up my question.

I'd like to hear other cat lover's views on whether they think the annual flu shot is really necessary.

My cat (adopted stray) had all her cat aids and cat leukemia (? I think that's what the shots were for) shots a year ago, and a flu shot.

She is due back at the vet in November for her annual flu booster. I think that's all they want to give her.

I am very wary of it all. I am wary of drug companies (I noted that Pfizer makes the immunisation shots my Puddy has already had) and take a natural approach to my own and my husband's health as far as possible. I am wary of substances I do not understand.

When we first got Puddy, we were told she would need worming and flea medicine every 6 weeks. She hasn't been given either in 5-6 months and is absolutely fine. It makes me wonder, how much of it all is simply a $-making exercise?

I know Puddy needs the "I've had my boosters" stamps in her kitty passport in order to get into catteries if/when needed. And most importantly, I obviously don't want her to ever get seriously ill.

And thoughts/experiences you could share would be appreciated. Thank you : )

I'm not really sure which vaccines are used in New Zealand. . .so I'll guess they're the same as in the U.S. So, we have the rabies vaccine required by law every 1-3 years, depending what brand you use (but no rabies in NZ so we'll forget about that). The other vaccines we have are the FVRCP vaccine, the FeLV vaccine, and the rarely used and generally ineffective vaccines for FIV and FIP, which most vets won't use.

I'll assume by "flu shot" you mean FVRCP. Honestly, I don't consider the "flu" part of the vaccine to be very important. Cat flu is generally mild, plus the vaccine only covers a few strains so it's not even very effective. The important part of the combo vaccine is the P part, for panleukopenia. This is a parvovirus (although it's commonly and erroneously called Feline Distemper) and is extremely nasty and virulent. You don't want your cat to get panleuk. But, research shows that it's a very effective vaccine, and probably confers lifetime immunity when given after 6 months of age. It definitely lasts at least 7 years. So annual boosters aren't necessary. If her first one was given before 6 months, though, you probably want to get the booster this year.

The FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) vaccine is controversial. It's one the vaccines that's most likely to cause vaccine-site cancer and adverse reactions. It's only recommended for cats who are at risk for exposure (which requires physical contact with the bodily fluids of infected cats; it's not transmitted through the air or anything). If your cat is indoor-only, she most likely doesn't need it. But if you do choose to booster for this one, annual boosters are currently recommended because they haven't studied it enough to see if it lasts longer. Some studies do show that adult cats have a certain level of natural immunity, so some vets will only vaccinate kittens for it. If your cat is at risk of exposure, ask your vet what he/she recommends.

If you Google "AVMA feline vaccine recommendations", you can find a lot of good info. I'd link to it for you, but I still haven't figured out how to link to a PDF from my smartphone.

Hey, thanks so much for the info.

Below are the details on what Puddy was given last November (the first time we took her to the vet). She is an adopted stray, so we have no way of knowing what shots she might have been given as a kitten. For that reason, we asked the vet to give her 'everything' when we first adopted her and took her for her first vet visit.

3 x Felocell-3 shots spread over a couple of months. According to the stickers in Puddy's kitty 'passport', this vaccination is for:
feline rhinotracheitis
calicivirus
panleukopenia

Puddy was also given 2 x FIV vaccines spread over a couple of months, and 2 x feline leukemia vaccines, also spread over a couple of months.

So, based on what you have told me, Willowy, it seems my kitty girl was given a controversial vaccine and a rarely used, ineffective, unpopular vaccine : ( One of her vets was from the US and the other from Switzerland (the vet changed while Puddy was part way thru' her shots.) The second vet seemed to agree with what the first vet had started giving Puddy, but she did say she felt the shots needed to be more spaced out, so we rescheduled Puddy's shots appointments at that time.

Could I ask, where did you hear that these vaccines are controversial/rarely used? I haven't checked out the webiste you recommended yet but I will do.

I am guessing the vet will want Puddy to have the Felocell-3 vaccine again this November. But based on what you have told me, perhaps she doesn't need it?

Any more info/advice appreciated.

I know that the FIV vaccine will cause a cat to test positive for the disease with the initial quick test. In the U.S. if the cat gets lost and ends up at a high kill shelter it could be euthanized quickly because of the positive on the quick test.

^ That's awful! So sad.

I had a look at the guidelines Willowy mentioned, and they basically said - if I recall correctly - that your cat should regularly be boosted for feline rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia, and for FIV and leaukemia too.

I think I shall do more research and speak to more than one vet, and compare what they say.

The risk of FIV to my kitty would come from other cats - she is an indoor/outdoor kitty and has, in the past, been bitten in a territory dispute by the neighbourhood bully cat.

Here's the link to the US vet medical assoc. advice:

http://www.avma.org/vafstf/rbbroch.asp

There are no references to the research but this is stated:

"Recent research has provided compelling evidence to suggest that panleukopenia/rhinotracheitis/calicivirus vaccines provide adequate protection for several years, so in response, many veterinarians are now recommending that this vaccine be "boosted" at three year intervals as well."

Puddy's mum, from some things you said in your opening post, I think you'll find this webpage informative (and, I suspect the same will apply to Dr. Lisa's entire site!) http://www.catinfo.org/?link=vaccines

Google "vaccinosis" defined as the harmful effects of vaccination in animals only. Look for Dr. Schultz's article - it shows how long vaccines last when titre tests are performed. Rabies - seven years, Distemper - 15 years.

I give my pets the initial baby shots. Then one at eighteen months of age. Then at three years (and this one is not necessary) and not ever again for the rest of their lives. After what I have learned, and the negative experiences I have had over the years with endocrine immunity problems (due to vaccinations ). I just won't do it. I am lucky in that my county does not require rabies vaccine. Although, if they did, I wouldn't do it anyway, I would do titre's.

And, yes, I believe this is a $$$$ making business for drug companies and, unfortunately, vet's too. If a vet pushes the vaccines, find another vet, IMO.

My indoor cats get their baby shots (but not leukemia). They have a 1 yr rabies with their last set of baby shots. At the age of 18 mos or so, they get another combo vaccine (still no leukemia) and a 3 yr rabies. Then they will get boosters every 3 years for all of those.

My outdoor cats will be a little different. They DO get the leukemia shots and we will be following a different schedule for them as my vet sees fit. She is pretty conservative on vaccines and I do trust her judgement.

Thanks so much everyone for your help and input. I shall definitely be doing some homework on this.

Dr Pierson's site is great! I have previously only looked at her info on nutrition. The info on vaccines will no doubt be interesting.

We don't vaccinate beyond the basic kitten vaccinations. We are very fortunate that our new vet does not have issues with our not vaccinating adults. However, if we had indoor/outdoor kitties, they would most certainlyget all of the recommended vacs.