Can FeLV vaccine cause problems

I am picking up my new 15 week old kitten from a local breeder I have used before. She has given the kittens two doses of 4 in 1 FVRCP. She says says I should NOT get the kitten a FeLV vaccination. She believes it can actually give cats the virus. If I give the cat the FeLV shot is will void the health guarantee in her contract. This will be a strictly indoor cat (Maine Coon) Any comments?

The vets here have made the leukemia vaccine optional and not recommended for indoor cats. It has a higher incidence of vaccine site cancer than some other vaccines. I hadn't heard of it giving cats leukemia though.

Originally Posted by Denice

The vets here have made the leukemia vaccine optional and not recommended for indoor cats. It has a higher incidence of vaccine site cancer than some other vaccines. I hadn't heard of it giving cats leukemia though.

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It is also the same here... I have read of story that poor animals went thru after having it done...

Not worth it. My two kitties had the shot....they died from Leukemia. It is just like getting the flu shot for humans.

My 3 are all vaccinated and have been every year since they were tiny, they are outdoor/indoor cats.

I have brought the subject up with my vet as there is various opinions regarding how often it is needed and i was concerned about the reports of cancer forming at the injection site. Having already lost Smudge to cancer and Izzy having had 2 operations to remove cancerous lumps (mammary glands) i am very conscious of it. His advice was too continue to have the cats protected as the risk of cancer or any other 'mis-hap' was rare. However if you are the unlucky 'rare' case it doesn't much help.

Catteries in the Uk will not (usually) take a cat in without full vaccinations and certificates to prove it. Unfortunately i have to use a cattery for my babies once or twice a year, not that it isn't a good one. My vet practice has a cattery on the premises and at least i know they are in good hands.

I guess its personal choice.

i wouldnt do it if it will be strictly indoors, because he cant get Leukemia except through another infected cat. I have heard about the cancer thing too.

The vaccine is associated with fibrosarcomas. It's definitely not risk free. For an indoor cat, I definitely would not have it done. IMO the risk of the vaccine in that case is greater than the potential benefit.

Guys, there is new vaccine out there by merial that is administered through high pressure jet in the rear leg or tail.

This vaccine is much safer. The dosage is killed/modified, so there is no risk of your cat contracting FeLV or testing positive, unless they already have it. This particular vaccine has been on the market for about a year. It doesn't pose a risk to cats who already have FeLV< but it does nothing to help ward off the disease.

If your cat goes outside or lives with or has been exposed to a cat who has FeLV, you need to do a few things:
1. Have them combo tested immediately. Once they test negative, you may choose to vaccinate them, but ONLY with the Merial vaccine.
2. If your cat goes outdoors or has continuos exposure to and FeLV cat, have them combo tested every 8-12 weeks. If they ever show positive, keep them idoors IMMEDIATELY and begin supplementing the diet with CoQ10 and L-Lysine. Also, consider Immunoregulin or AZT treatments. FeLV is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system and CAN BE REVERSED if the cae is caught while asymptomatic. Only about 30% of cats who get FeLV become persistantly infected, but all of those 30% will have a much shorter lifespan because of it.

This shot is 70%-90% effective and provides immunity for the lifetime of the cat.

Just needed to clear that up. Again, new vaccine= not dangerous, but not entirely neccessary.