Vaccines

hellothere1234 · Jan 25, 2016

I'm a post a holic today!! I've got a lot going on lately and so I'm filled with questions lol

Ok took my cat to the vet and he is due for vaccines, going in for his 2nd round on Wednesday he is a 13 year old neutered male

Is there any chance of over vaccinating my cat? What vaccines are truly necessary for a 13 year old indoor cat? I just get nervous injecting him with all these chemicals but I want to listen to what the vet tells me is right but I try to only medicate when necessary

Thanks

catpack · Jan 25, 2016

You'll get different opinions on how often to vaccinate, what vaccines to give or whether to vaccinate or not.

The new guidelines by the AVMA are:
Rabies
- We highly suggest using the PureVax vaccine by Merial only. I have only had access to the 1-yr vaccine; but, I do believe there is a 3-yr PureVax as well.
(A lot of clinics in my area use the same Rabies vac for both dogs and cats, I have to make sure to request the PureVax and not everyone carries it.)

FVRCP
- The new guidelines state to give this vaccine every 3 years.

Feline Leukemia
- Not required. Some vets highly recommend for even indoor-only cats.

Now, personally, My cats get the Rabies vaccine every year because it is required by law where I live. And, even though my cats are indoor-only, we have an active Rabies issue in both bats and raccoons.

I do have a cat that is medically exempt due to a very bad vaccine reaction. Also, when my Lucky was alive, I stopped vaccinating him at the age of 13 due to health reasons. He had IBD and the vaccines induced flare ups for him.

Everyone is up to date on their FVRCP, not sure if I will booster next year or not.

None of my cats have ever received the FeLeuk vaccine.

Willowy · Jan 25, 2016

At his age, honestly, he's almost certainly already immune to the usual diseases---if he was vaccinated when younger that would have given him immunity, if he wasn't vaccinated he must have been exposed and fought the diseases and developed immunity that way. What's his background?

If you want to go ahead with the second round, go ahead, but personally I wouldn't vaccinate after this (except rabies as reqired by law, as long as he's healthy enough for it). This round of vaccines really ought to give him immunity for the rest of his life. And vaccines do cause an immune response, which can get really dicey in older cats.

stephanietx · Jan 25, 2016

After my kitties get their kitten shots and 1st rabies shot, they don't get any vaccines. Rabies is required by law here, but I only do that every 3 or 4 years. I have one kitty who has a medical exemption from all shots due to her immune system. Because my kitties are indoor only, not exposed to other kitties due to fostering, and had a complete round of kitten shots, the vet is okay with this.

hellothere1234 · Jan 25, 2016

Thanks everybody!! I really appreciate the responses!

well when the vet gave me the list of vaccines he needs I asked ok well which ones does he really need and they insisted every single one, the next one he is going in for I think they said is feline leukemia. I can't really remember though

Do you think I should keep his appointment, it's on Wednesday? The reason I thought he might need them is because i started fostering dogs (one dog at a time and i don't have any dogs of my own) and am considering getting another cat in the next few months.

Also his background is that I got him from the humane society 6 yrs ago. the only info I had was that he was hit by a car and found in a car wash. They said he is 5+ yrs old but he is very lazy and so his age is my estimation. I'm just nervous if i keep giving him a bunch of vaccines that he will have a bad reaction and that is my worst fear

stephanietx · Jan 25, 2016

Check with the group you're fostering with. They often have vaccine requirements.

crazy4strays · Jan 25, 2016

I have two cats and have done things differently for both.

My cat who formerly was an indoor/outdoor cat (and still escapes the house from time to time) received feline leukeuma/FIV, distemper, and rabies. My indoor cat who shows no desire to run out the front door got vaccinated for rabies only. I'm debating vaccinating him for distemper eventually. I'm thinking about titer testing rather than doing yearly boosters. For rabies shots, though, I will always follow schedules down to the letter. It's just not worth the stress and liability of skipping. I'm not interested in forced quarantines or forced euthanasia, if my cat bite someone or got bit by wildlife. A cat bite situation is much simpler if you just keep up with the shots. My vet doesn't offer the PureVax rabies shot, but I'm going the extra mile to go to the vet clinic to keep up with it.

Even indoor cats need rabies shots, because you cannot guarantee that wildlife (particularly bats) won't get into your house. Bat infestations are not rare and in my county, there have been multiple bats in the past year that have tested positive for rabies. Why risk it?

If the feline leukemia vaccination is given, be aware that your cat will always test positive for it from that point on. That means that they are likely to be put to sleep if they are found as a stray and not brought back to you, because they won't pass the wellness check to be adopted, even though they aren't actually infected.

Thus, it becomes even more important to make sure that your cat is properly identified, with a microchip and with a collar and a tag. My cats are both chipped and wear collars and tags all the time.

catpack · Jan 25, 2016

It is not the Feline Leukemia vaccine that cats test positive for afterwards, it is the FIV vaccine.
Most vets do not give or advise this vaccine as a result.

As for fostering dogs...
Your cat is not going to contract FeLeuk as a result of fostering dogs. Honestly, there are not too many diseases you have to worry about your cat catching from dogs.

As for bringing in another cat...
The cat should be combo tested prior to being introduced to your existing cat.

A question...
You adopted this cat 6 years ago; I assume he was vaccinated prior to coming home with you? I'm just confused as to why your cat would need multiple rounds of vaccines. Is the vet breaking the vaccines up and administering one at a time? Is this the first time your cat has been to the vet since you adopted him?

kittens mom · Jan 25, 2016

CatPack said:
[/It is not the Feline Leukemia vaccine that cats test positive for, it is the FIV vaccine. Most vets do not give or advise this vaccine as a result.B]

As for fostering dogs...
Your cat is not going to contract FeLeuk as a result of fostering dogs. Honestly, there are not too many diseases you have to worry about your cat catching from dogs.

As for bringing in another cat...
The cat should be combo tested prior to being introduced to your existing cat.

A question...
You adopted this cat 6 years ago; I assume he was vaccinated prior to coming home with you? I'm just confused as to why your cat would need multiple rounds of vaccines. Is the vet breaking the vaccines up and administering one at a time? Is this the first time your cat has been to the vet since you adopted him?

Thank you . Your last question was mine.

Willowy · Jan 25, 2016

I would not booster for FeLV. If he doesn't go outside he has no chance of getting it, older cats have a high natural immunity to it anyway, and that's one of the worst vaccines in terms of causing reactions. If you get a new cat, have him/her tested before introducing them.

You do need to read up on it and educate yourself so you can feel comfortable refusing the vaccine if your vet gives you a hard time.

How frequently has he been vaccinated in the past?

kittens mom · Jan 25, 2016

hellothere1234 said:
I'm a post a holic today!! I've got a lot going on lately and so I'm filled with questions lol

Ok took my cat to the vet and he is due for vaccines, going in for his 2nd round on Wednesday he is a 13 year old neutered male

Is there any chance of over vaccinating my cat? What vaccines are truly necessary for a 13 year old indoor cat? I just get nervous injecting him with all these chemicals but I want to listen to what the vet tells me is right but I try to only medicate when necessary

Thanks

http://www.catinfo.org/?link=vaccines One of the saner pieces on vaccines.

donutte · Jan 25, 2016

I'm actually torn on vaccines for my younger ones. They are indoor cats, but I have a feeling Oscar and Penelopy will try to (and probably will succeed) sneak out once the weather is nicer. Lucky and Sara used to do it all the time, little sneaks. Oliver already did it once but it freaked him out, so don't think he will again.

We have quite a few ferals around, many of whom like to hang out on our porches to get some sun in peace. Not sure I've seen any bats in the area, but raccoons and skunks are the norm in nicer weather. Plus, we now have two dogs that will be going out in the nicer weather. They are little dogs and it's easier to have the doggie pee pads for them in the winter. Sugar won't even go out if it's just misting out (like it is right now). Anyway, with them going in and out, I'm worried about them bringing unwanted diseases in the house.

hellothere1234 · Jan 25, 2016

CatPack said:
It is not the Feline Leukemia vaccine that cats test positive for afterwards, it is the FIV vaccine.
Most vets do not give or advise this vaccine as a result.

As for fostering dogs...
Your cat is not going to contract FeLeuk as a result of fostering dogs. Honestly, there are not too many diseases you have to worry about your cat catching from dogs.

As for bringing in another cat...
The cat should be combo tested prior to being introduced to your existing cat.

A question...
You adopted this cat 6 years ago; I assume he was vaccinated prior to coming home with you? I'm just confused as to why your cat would need multiple rounds of vaccines. Is the vet breaking the vaccines up and administering one at a time? Is this the first time your cat has been to the vet since you adopted him?

no this is not the first time my cat has been to the vet. I'm not an irresponsible pet owner I just don't know a lot about vaccines. The last time he went to the vet was last year I was living in a diff state. so when I moved I brought his vet records w me and these are the vaccines they said he needed.

kittens mom · Jan 25, 2016

hellothere1234 said:
no this is not the first time my cat has been to the vet. I'm not an irresponsible pet owner I just don't know a lot about vaccines. The last time he went to the vet was last year I was living in a diff state. so when I moved I brought his vet records w me and these are the vaccines they said he needed.

The majority of cat friendly vets advocate using as few vaccines as possible. All three year rabies should be adjuvant free. FVRCP is generally recommended not more than every three years.

crazy4strays · Jan 25, 2016

Okay, so perhaps it's the FIV component of the vaccine that my kitty would test positive for. My vet said that the vaccine that he gave was a combo Feline Leukemia/FIV vaccine, I believe.

katqueen68 · Feb 22, 2016

My two Siamese/Himalayans were given FVRCP, FeLuk and Rabies vaccines on December 2, 2015. The vet insisted they needed them even though they have always been indoor cats. They are litter mates, age 4.

Within a week, I noticed them eating less, sleeping more and not being themselves. I called the vet who said they're most likely having a mild reaction to the vaccines, not to worry that this is normal and they'll pull out of it. So I waited for a few more weeks and they didn't get better. Took them back to the vet who immediately said we needed to get them to the animal hospital because they both had hepatic lipidosis! OMG!

We rushed them to the hospital where they had more tests. It was determined both cats had reactions to the vaccines that caused them to stop eating that lead to hepatic lipidosis. We were extremely upset to say the least!! Our fur babies were so sick and had lost nearly half their weight! We brought them home with meds to increase their appetites, prescription food and syringes to manually feed them.

It's now 2/22/16 and I'd say my fur babies are about 75% recovered. Their coats could look better, they are just beginning to be playful again. We plan on taking them to the hospital for repeated bloodwork to make sure they're on the right track.

I contacted both Merck and Boeringer Ingleheim to report adverse reactions to their vaccines. I provided all information and serial numbers of serum given. I just spoke with a vet from Merck who set up two files for my cats and reported all details to USDA that regulates animal care.

Please beware of risks involved with vaccines. I refuse to have my babies vaccinated any more. I keep them indoors and away from other cats. I will take my chances that they will live out their days without knocking on death's door until Nature call them home.

catpack · Feb 22, 2016

Welcome to TCS! I am so sorry to hear about your furbabies! And to have BOTH get so sick! I am also sorry that you felt pressured by your vet to vaccinate in a way you did not feel comfortable. I think I would be looking for a different vet for future needs. Glad to hear both of your babies are on the mend.

ginny · Aug 7, 2016

Here's what Dr. Pierson has to say about vaccines, if you'd like to read it. I found it to be very informative and I like how she thinks outside the box.

http://www.catinfo.org/?link=vaccines

riverstjames · Aug 8, 2016

Chester vomited and is lethargic after his 1 year vaccinations. He didn't eat dinner last night and isn't interested in breakfast-which is strange for him as he weighs 14.5 lbs.

ginny · Aug 8, 2016

Did he react that way before to his vaccines?

Vaccines

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Kittens life was lost to a negligent veterinarian.

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Kittens life was lost to a negligent veterinarian.

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Kittens life was lost to a negligent veterinarian.

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