Taking cat outside on leash, special vaccinations needed?

Hi, I want to start taking my cat outside my apartment on a leash, not to walk very far or anything but so she can hang out among the flowers for a bit and get some outside time. She has always been an indoor cat. She was given to me by a friend who had given her basic vaccinations that you would give an indoor cat (including rabies). 

I don't plan on exposing her in areas where there might have been raccoons or many if any cats. I am afraid of her contracting feline leukemia though and I'm not sure if she received vaccinations for that, my friend doesn't remember either. Do you think she would be okay as she is? 

Keep in mind once you take her out she will most likely want to go out and even beg to go out.  Far as vaccines I would not worry but would keep the rabies up to date in case she slips the harness.

Personally, if any of my cats were to go outside (aside from a secured enclosure that no outside kitties could get in to,) I would be getting the Leukemia vaccine.

I suggest you talk with your vet and decide if the risk of exposure is high enough to warrant the vaccine as there are associated risks with this vaccine.

A lot of things should be taken into consideration before taking her outside. For example, as previously mentioned, the cat once exposed will want to go out all the time. Some will dart out as soon as the door is open.
Also, even if you live in the country you have no way of knowing what is outside as far a cat viruses. I'm not a big believer in over vaccinating but I do believe you should get the FIP/FELV vaccine and rabies at least. Of course, I'm not a vet so I would recommend talking to your vet before making any decisions.
Also consider cats have lived in the wild for years and seem to do just fine and most are not vaccinated. So it really just boils down to choice and what you feel comfortable with doing.
I live in the city and the lady next door feeds all the homeless cats which is nice but it allows for viruses to be around in our yard as well as fleas etc. So I don't allow my cats out. It's a never ending battle just to keep fleas away.
Hope this helps.
Dyan

I believe SouthernHilandr meant to say FIV not FIP vaccine, though this is NOT advised. Once a cat is given the FIV vaccine (most vets will not give this) the cat will test postive for FIV for the remainder of its life, regardless whether they have the virus or not.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent FIP.

You are correct I meant FIV sorry

Far as FIV I would not worry as it is VERY hard to transmit unless your talking some serious fights which will not be issue on leash.  I know one member here has FIV+ cat living with 8 or so - cats.  Only cats I have had come up FIV+ are unneutered males who had severe fights as they tend to have.  If you do the FIV shot and the cat ever gets out and picked up it could be an automatic euthanasia in some shelters who are quick to find medical reasons to euth.  I would microchip any cat that gets the shot and put it in notes that it has had the shot if you decide to get it done. Especially in areas with MANY vets/shelters where it may take you time to find your lost cat.

It must be different for some areas in the USA. Most vets on my area encourage the vaccinations. However, I feel many here over vaccinate. IMO sorry if I brought things off topic.
Dyan

Thanks for all the advice guys. So I'm not as worried about FIV as I was, but after reading a story about some guy killing cats just outside the city in broad daylight (who has to show up to court but in the meantime gets to walk around free) , my biggest worry now is Sweet Pea somehow getting out of her harness... even though it's the "Roman" kind and she doesn't try to wriggle out of it inside, now I'm paranoid -_-

You may want to check if your area has flea season. I walk my quasi indoor cat outside with a leash as she is not fixed yet. I live in an area with no fleas or flea season. Just have to watch out for those pine trees with ticks
I myself m not big on vaccinations for cats as I the two I had became very ill after being vaccinated for travel. The two main vaccinations other ppl mentioned are good idea