Would you vaccinate?

I have one cat who has severe allergies. He is overdue for his vaccines. He is so allergic to everything already, I hate the idea of messing up his immune system even worse!

He is allergic to dust mites, corn, soy, wheat, beef, dairy, fish, lamb, chicken, turkey etc...  It is an ongoing battle to keep him from getting infections due to his constant scratching.

He is on allergy shots and antihistamines year round, antibiotics for infections, antibacterial shampoos, hydrocortisone cream for the itching. Short of taking him in for skin  testing and more allergy shots there is nothing left to do treatment wise.

I'd hate to vaccinate him and have him get more itchy! 

Do you think allergies are related to vaccines? Any evidence supporting your theories?

If he was your cat would you vaccinate?

This is what his face looks like during flare ups. (it's not him but it gives you an idea of how itchy he gets!).

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...act=rc&uact=3&dur=397&page=3&start=46&ndsp=25

Any ideas on other treatment options? The vet mentioned Atopic, but given his history of urinary issues, I worry that will make him worse.

I don't know if allergies are related to vaccines, but if your cat's immune system is already compromised, I wouldn't vaccinate.  I have a kitty with feline herpes and allergies.  She doesn't get vaccinated.  I only get my others vaccinated every couple of years or so.  They are indoor only and we don't foster or expose them to other animals.

My cats do not have those issues, and still I do not vaccinate them.  They all got shots during their first 3 years of life (until I learn more about vaccines), they are covered for life.  The only one they get is rabies because it is required by law and, should one of them bite someone, no vaccine means immediate death sentence for necropsy to verify they do / do not have rabies. 

For your cat, talk with your vet about only getting the rabies vaccine.  Some states do permit the vet to write a letter which releases you from this obligation. 

Vaccines aren't effective in people/animals with compromised immune systems :/. So it wouldn't do any good anyway, and may cause an immune reaction. I wouldn't. Vaccines are for healthy animals (says so right in the product info )

The poor thing, he really is allergic to everything!

I personally would ask my vet for advise. Tell him/her everything your boy is allergic to and ask them if it's wise to vaccinate or not. They probably know what's best, though make sure you have a trustworthy vet you know is looking at what's best for your cat.

i would find either a cat-only vet 

http://www.catvets.com/cat-owners/find-vets-and-practices

or a specialist

The American College of Veterinary Dermatology

https://www.acvd.org/tools/locator/locator.asp?id=16

I just wanted to mention...

I have a 2 yr old that is allergic to chicken and chicken products. The Rabies vaccine uses chicken eggs to produce the vaccine (very similar to how the Flu vaccine is made.) When Simba was vaccinated earlier this year he had a similar reaction after the vaccine as he does when he eats something with chicken eggs (vomiting.). I haven't yet determine if I will pre-med him with Cerenia and Benedryl this next yr before the vaccine or if I will forego the vaccine all together. (Simba is indoor only, but is a former feral and is prone to biting...though has gotten MUCH better over the past yr.)

He had an anaphylactic reaction to his FVRCP vaccine this year too. That vaccine uses rodent kidney to produce the vaccine. He will not ever receive that vaccine again.

I would not, and it's not needed either as long as he was vaccinated while a young kitten with the series and another vaccine at a year old, he is covered just fine anyway.

Yearly vaccines are a thing of the past, until they finally realized once a year is by far overvaccinating.

It is now recommended at no more than every 3 years, and many vets are still pushing to get that amt of time extended.

I would not get any vaccines. My cat is allergic to almost everything and my vet won't give Peaches anymore vaccines because of her reaction to them in 2010. She does get the rabies vaccine every 3 years but Peaches stays all day at the vet so they can watch her. They also give her Diphenhydramine before giving her the vaccine.

I'm with everyone else, considering the compromised immune system, I'd pass.

Besides, I'm a firm believer in not over-vaccinating beyond the first few years boosters.

I give boosters around 5-6 years, and maaaayyybe again at 9-10.

After 10 years old, no more shots. 

I swear, if I could give the idiot legislators who fall for those outdated arguments a boot to the head, I would.