Annual Vaccines...Confused?

I am beginning to wonder if I should change from annual vaccines to every 3 years.

My "indoor only" kitties, Dexter & Sadie, who are 5 years old, will be due for their annual vaccines at the end of October. I searched this forum & found a link to this site http://cats.about.com/gi/dynamic/off...uidelines.html

Even though my kitties live inside, I fear that they could become exposed viruses that could make them ill when they visit their vet for their checkups or treatment.

I live in an apartment complex where people have dogs that are walked through common halls after being outside. I have neighbors who have cats that might not be inoculated at all & could possibly be carriers. I have been told that viruses can be carried into a home on the feet, clothes or hands of humans. I have also been told that some viruses that make cats ill, are carried in the air.

The current recommendation for vaccines for healthy "indoor" adult cats is every three years. My concern is that an indoor cat can become exposed to viruses at their vets office or by their human carrying virus into the home from the outside. Is there really such a thing as an indoor only barrier to viruses?

My kitties current schedule is: FVRCP-Pneumonitis Booster annually.
After a discussion with my vet...it was decided not to give the Rabies vaccine to them.
They became very ill from it when they were young.
It is not required in my state for cats & if they were boarded it would be at their vets.

Any feed back about this will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Lei

I presume it it about the same vaccine in Sweden as in US, as till now it was annually, now every other year for adults cats - and I know some talks about every three years.

If so, every two years should be a sound compromise.
But if you dont get excellent answers from knowleagle people - ask your vet next time you talk with her/him.

this is what I have been told by serveral vets around here...
kiteens get the first series ... then they get booosters the next yr and then every three years..

Originally Posted by xocats

I live in an apartment complex where people have dogs that are walked through common halls after being outside. I have neighbors who have cats that might not be inoculated at all & could possibly be carriers. I have been told that viruses can be carried into a home on the feet, clothes or hands of humans. I have also been told that some viruses that make cats ill, are carried in the air.

The current recommendation for vaccines for healthy "indoor" adult cats is every three years. My concern is that an indoor cat can become exposed to viruses at their vets office or by their human carrying virus into the home from the outside. Is there really such a thing as an indoor only barrier to viruses?

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Your indoor cats can become sick from what you carry on your person into your home....believe me on this.
There was an occasion some time ago, when we attended a cat show, with only one of our cats. He was vaccinated for all the normal stuff. When we returned home, after about 3 days he shows signs of being ill. Very puffed up, off his food, puking, etc. Off to the vet with him right away.
Diagnosis: Unspecified viral infection.
This particular cat stayed in the house with us, along with 2 other cats. All our other cats were in a seperate building..our cattery. Both of the other indoor cats became ill within 5 days. And, to our surprise, 75% of the cats in the cattery became ill within 5 days, even though he had been no where near any of them.
What happened was, my wife and I spread the virus to them on our ....shoes, hands, clothing...who knows.
All of our cats recovered without incident, but it is a lesson learned. Viruses that make cats ill, can spread to indoor only cats very easily!
Vaccinate your cats as recommended by your vet.

I'm going to use sharky's schedule.

Oh, for the folks that do the rabies vaccination, my vet says there's a significantly higher probability of vaccination-site sarcoma with the three-year vaccine.

Originally Posted by coaster

I'm going to use sharky's schedule.

Oh, for the folks that do the rabies vaccination, my vet says there's a significantly higher probability of vaccination-site sarcoma with the three-year vaccine.

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Really higher witht the three yr ?? what did your vet recommend??

Our cats get theirs annually. This is our vet's recommendation and we're very comfortable with her. She seems to be very good at her job from our experience with her so we'll do the annuals as long as she recommends them.

My vet's recommendation is annually for the rabies. Here, rabies vaccination is required in order to license a pet, and a license is required, although only a small minority of pet owners actually get one.

You might ask your vet about a titer test to see if your cat is producing enough antibodies to protect it from disease. If so, then you wouldn't have to vaccinate again at that time. I'm not sure how much the test costs. I have two indoor-only kitties right now. The younger one, who is 7 years old, gets vaccines yearly. I thought about not having her get them this year, but I remembered that I was glad she had them last year when I brought home my other kitty. The other kitty, who is an old stray (but not feral) does not get vaccines. He has hyperthyroidism and has had some other issues, so he isn't healthy enough for vaccines.

My girls and I are following the new 3 year protocol with the exception of rabies, as it is required annually in NC.

Originally Posted by dawnofsierra

My girls and I are following the new 3 year protocol with the exception of rabies, as it is required annually in NC.

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If you are getting your cat vaccinated every three years, just think about this...... Sometimes we only see your pets at vaccination time, thats once a year for us to check on weight , heart , ect.
Please consider going in once a year to have your kitty checked out just so your vet is able to keep track of his/her progress.

Originally Posted by Siamese_Jen

If you are getting your cat vaccinated every three years, just think about this...... Sometimes we only see your pets at vaccination time, thats once a year for us to check on weight , heart , ect.
Please consider going in once a year to have your kitty checked out just so your vet is able to keep track of his/her progress.

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I know for a fact Stephanie brings her kits in regularly.....but that is a good point for those who feel every three years is enough

I work at a veterinary clinic that gives the FVRCPC (Distemper) vaccine every 3 years (after the one year booster). Cats that go outside or are exposed to cats that go outside are recommended to get the Feline Leukemia vaccine. This vaccine is still given every year (as recommended by the AAFP). We still send reminders in the mail that cats are due for their annual exam even if they are not due for any vaccines that year. Our state requires the rabies vaccine every 3 years (the first vaccine is only good for one year though).