To vaccinate or not to vaccinate?

Ok, so my 7 week old kitten Khaleesi is supposed to be going in soon for her first round of shots....and I am actually quite nervous about it. I lost my cat Cricketa to cancer recently, and reading up on vaccinations and their association with cancer I am not sure if I want to give Khaleesi shots. She will always be 100% indoors, not even going for walks outside, and I never bring new cats into the house without testing them first. So she is at a low risk of ever being exposed to anything, but then I read up on distemper and people are saying all it takes is someone walking in the virus and visiting and Khaleesi could get it. I am very torn!

I would wait another week, but definitely get the kitten shots done.

I also do a year old shot and that's it for the pet cats.

I totally recommend having her kitten FVCRP series done. Maybe not yet. . .8 or 9 weeks is fine for the first round. Make sure she gets the last round after 16 weeks. Don't let the vet talk you into giving the Feline Leukemia shot (or anything other than the FVCRP), and don't give the rabies shot at the same time as any other shot (for maximum safety). The chances of her getting cancer from her kitten shots are very slim. It's repeated vaccination that really increases the risk.

I always intend to get mine the one-year booster, but I never get around to it :anon:. So really none of mine have had anything other than their kitten shots.

I'm totally wondering the same thing. I'm getting the kitten series done, but I'm really starting to wonder about the Rabies vaccine.

Candy never got it. We only got her the kitten series and that was it. She was strictly indoors, like Cuddles is now.

I know that the Rabies shot is "the law", but should I get it for Cuddles or not? When Cookie got it she slept for three days straight, wouldn't even get up for food or water.

Sorry, double post.

I think it's a good idea. But given after 6 months if possible. There's pretty good evidence that the rabies vaccine gives immunity for life (and in fact used to be considered a once-for-life vaccine before the manufacturers figured out how to make more money on it), and it's nice to know she'd be protected if a bat or something got in. There's never been a diagnosed case of rabies in an animal that's had 2 or more rabies shots in his/her lifetime. . .so maybe a booster after a couple years in case the first one didn't fully take. Or run titers to make sure the first one took.

Keep in mind this won't protect you legally. But since you already have unvaccinated kitties I guess you're OK with that.

I would go ahead with the kitten series and then one booster one year later. I do not vaccinate my pets anymore. There has been so much new information that has come to light about vaccinating pets. You can google Vaccinoisis and see about all of the diseases/cancers related to over vaccinating pets. Very sad. And of course, drug companies don't want you to know about that as well as some unethical vets out there. It is more about keeping clients coming in yearly and that lines their pockets at the same time. Most vets are changing their protocol on vaccinating and only recommend them every three years now. I won't even do that though. It is very important to give the kitten series though and the booster's a year later and them maybe three years later.

kittylover23 said:

I'm totally wondering the same thing. I'm getting the kitten series done, but I'm really starting to wonder about the Rabies vaccine.
Candy never got it. We only got her the kitten series and that was it. She was strictly indoors, like Cuddles is now.
I know that the Rabies shot is "the law", but should I get it for Cuddles or not? When Cookie got it she slept for three days straight, wouldn't even get up for food or water.

Click to expand...

Just make sure you get the three year rabies. Believe it or not, it is the exact same dosage as the one year, but do they tell you that... NO. I would give it when the kitten is four months of age, then one year later, then three years later. After that, law or no law, I would run blood titres if anyone has a problem as the cat will be immune for life. My cats are indoor only and I do not board them. In fact, My three P's only got a rabies as a kitten and that was it.

Willowy said:

I totally recommend having her kitten FVCRP series done. Maybe not yet. . .8 or 9 weeks is fine for the first round. Make sure she gets the last round after 16 weeks. Don't let the vet talk you into giving the Feline Leukemia shot (or anything other than the FVCRP), and don't give the rabies shot at the same time as any other shot (for maximum safety). The chances of her getting cancer from her kitten shots are very slim. It's repeated vaccination that really increases the risk.
I always intend to get mine the one-year booster, but I never get around to it

. So really none of mine have had anything other than their kitten shots.

Click to expand...

Feralvr said:

Just make sure you get the three year rabies. Believe it or not, it is the exact same dosage as the one year, but do they tell you that... NO. 

Click to expand...

I actually heard the opposite, that the 3 year shot was the devil and biggest cause of cancer. I am not sure who to believe now, but if it is the same dosage than it seems dumb. 

One vet told me because distemper is airborne, indoor cats should get it. All of the fibrosarcoma complaints seem to be about FLV and rabies, not FVRCP.

If your kitten must get the rabies shot (many states require it), wait until she is 4 months old.