FIP vaccine for strictly indoor kitten?

williecat

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We got a new kitten this weekend and her breeder advised against going her the FIP vaccine because she will be an indoor kitty. When I asked why he only said its unnecessary if she stays indoors. A few other breeders i spoke with before choosing one said the same thing. But we all know there is always the possibility of a kitty escaping, no matter how careful we are. It happened to me and I almost lost my sweet old man because he got out when we packed up the car to go oot overnight. He had never been outside and of course got into it with with another cat pretty bad. His wounds developed abscesses and he was pretty sick & dehydrated after 2 days. After fixing him up, my vet said I then had to wait a month and re-test him for FIPV and FeLV, which was pure agony. I'm curious why it's recommended not to give the vaccine, just in case the worst case scenario happens?
 

stephanietx

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I have three indoor only kitties and when they were kittens, I got all their shots including the rabies shot.  After that, though, they don't get shots, unless we have a rabies outbreak.  I have one cat that reacts to the FCVRP shot, so she can't have that one.
 
 

ldg

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I think you mean the FIV vaccine?

A number of us were discussing vaccines for our indoor-only kitties here: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/245463/do-indoor-cats-really-need-vaccines

I'd actually never heard of the FIP vaccine before. I just looked it up, and found this at Cornell

There is only one licensed FIP vaccine available; however, this vaccine has minimal if any effectiveness in preventing FIP, and it is not generally recommended by the American Association of Feline Practitioners Feline Vaccine Advisory Panel.
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http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/fip.html


But if you actually meant the FIV vaccine, it is only effective against one strain of FIV, one that is present in southern LA, AL, southeatesrn TX, and maybe the panhandle of FL. But even if you lived there, I wouldn't recommend it. The risks associated with the FIV and FeLV vaccines are greater than the risk of your kitty escaping and having anything happen.

I am sorry about your other kitty. :rub:
 
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otto

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Don't give the FIV vaccine. Once a cat receives it, he will always test positive for the disease. That could be a death sentence for him if he ever got out and was rescued and tested. The chances of him getting that disease, even if he did get out are very very very small. FIV is spread through deep bite wounds only.

He doesn't need FeLV either.
 
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williecat

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I guess I did mean FIV, oops. I didn't realize it has negative effects. I have some more research to do for sure before I give her any vaccines.
 
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williecat

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. FIV is spread through deep bite wounds only. He doesn't need FeLV either.
See, that's where my concern is. My Gus got out, was outside for 2 days and did get into a fight. He had two very deep bite wounds that had become infected by the time we lured him back in the house. He had to have them drained twice and of course do a round of abx. The way my vet explained it is if the cat who bit him had it, it would have been practically a death sentence for Gus. We were lucky he tested negative a month later, but I did get him both vaccines, plus a rabies booster, on the off chance he somehow gets out again. I worry about the same thing with my new baby.
 

otto

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The problem is, The FIV vaccine is only about 70% effective, if even that. Which means that even if Gus had been bitten by a FIV+ cat while vaccinated, he still had a 30% chance of contracting FIV. And, you say that Gus has now had this vaccine? This means that he will ALWAYS test positive for FIV now. My vet will not vaccinate for FIV.

The only vaccine I allow for my cats, with the exception of the initial "kitten" series, and one set of boosters, is rabies, and that is because it is law where I live. I use the annual Pure Vax rabies. There is hope that this annual vaccine will be approved as a three year vaccine, soon, in my state.
 
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ldg

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The problem is, The FIV vaccine is only about 70% effective, if even that. Which means that even if Gus had been bitten by a FIV+ cat while vaccinated, he still had a 30% chance of contracting FIV. And, you say that Gus has now had this vaccine? This means that he will ALWAYS test positive for FIV now. My vet will not vaccinate for FIV.
The only vaccine I allow for my cats, with the exception of the initial "kitten" series, and one set of boosters, is rabies, and that is because it is law where I live. I use the annual Pure Vax rabies. There is hope that this annual vaccine will be approved as a three year vaccine, soon, in my state.
Actually, it's the FeLV vaccine that is only about 70% effective. The FIV vaccine is for a very specific strain of FIV, and is useless unless you live in Southern Louisiana, Southern Alabama, Eastern TX, or the panhandle of Florida, where that strain of FIV persists. Anywhere else, and the FIV vaccine does not protect your cat from FIV.
 

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I don't understand the death sentence for FIV+ cats.  Sure, they have a harder time finding a home and some shelters won't take them, or will euthanize, so in that respect FIV is a death sentence but FIV+ cats almost always live a normally long life. 
 
 

otto

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Actually, it's the FeLV vaccine that is only about 70% effective. The FIV vaccine is for a very specific strain of FIV, and is useless unless you live in Southern Louisiana, Southern Alabama, Eastern TX, or the panhandle of Florida, where that strain of FIV persists. Anywhere else, and the FIV vaccine does not protect your cat from FIV.
Thanks Laurie :)


I don't understand the death sentence for FIV+ cats.  Sure, they have a harder time finding a home and some shelters won't take them, or will euthanize, so in that respect FIV is a death sentence but FIV+ cats almost always live a normally long life. 

 
Yes, they can, if they can find that special home, I agree with you. Unfortunately shelters are quick to deem FIV (and FeLV) cats as "un-adoptable" and that's the end for them.
 
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