PureVax rabies vaccine for 8 year old cat

[dontcry]

Good evening cat people,

I want to share my experience on 10/21/2021 when I took my cat to a vet.

backstory: my husband and I just moved to a new part of the state and we had established ourselves and our pets with a vet. I have two cats: one tortoise shell; 11 years old. And one black cat; 8 years old. Both of my cats are very healthy, the black cat has had a history of urinary crystals and had to be catheterized back in 2016; I was in my early 20’s and didn’t know any better, I let him get extremely overweight (22lbs at his biggest) he is now 13.5lbs.

the black cat’s name is Tito. He is the love of my life. I discovered him in a box on my way to work one morning at Petsmart 8 years ago and I had to keep him. He was too tiny and not ready to be adopted but I took him in and he became mine. I love this cat more than anyone in the world and I would never ever want to hurt him. Back in 2016 was the most financially and emotionally devastating thing to ever happen to me, thankfully he fully recovered and later I consulted with a holistic vet and I got him on a high quality, high protein wet diet and he had been doing GREAT.

Fast forward to now.My husband and I just moved to a new area and I wanted to book an appointment for my dachshund puppy to see a vet. The one with the best reviews in town made us wait almost a month for an appointment. So anyways, one night Tito hissed at the dog and started coughing or wheezing which lasts only a few seconds, and usually never bothers me but this time it did. I wanted him to make an appointment for him, along with my dog, with this new vet that had great reviews. When I called them they asked for his records and I called my previous vet and had them send me everything. I never looked at his labs before and what I saw made me worried. This is where I made a mistake. I started googling the findings, and after consulting with Dr Google, I learned my cat had stage ll kidney disease. His creatinine was 2.3, and white blood cells were low. These labs were done back in 2018 and the vet never made any mention of anything bad other than that his urinalysis was “unremarkable”. I was in a panic so I called the vet begging for an appt ASAP but they kept telling me no. I started calling other vets with not so great reviews because I got desperate. I thought my cats kidneys were failing. From a test done almost 4 years ago. And Tito has been acting totally normal, he doesn’t drink excessively or show any of the signs of CKD.

So I make an appt with a vet that didn’t have great reviews. They were the only vet that would see me that day and let me be present in the room. (One other vet had an opening but only did curbside) I wanted to be allowed in with him because he is TERRIFIED of leaving the house. There were a ton of red flags at this vet and I even started to turn around and drive back home, but something made me go back. I have really deep regrets about this. The exam was rushed, they knew I wanted blood work, so they drew his blood and said they had to administer a rabies vaccination. I was so against this because he is strictly indoors but they would’ve refused to proceed unless he got the vaccine. The blood work was very alarming, very low wbc, high rbc, elevated BUN and crea was 2.7! No urinalysis was done because his bladder was too small. I was so worried and the vet just looked at me and shrugged her shoulders. I had a million questions and she didn’t know and didn’t want to get to the bottom of it either. She asked me if I ever tested him for feLV/FIV and I said I’m almost positive but I had them re do it because I was worried. Those were negative. I was charged $400 for the blood work, rabies shot, and feLV/FIV test. They sent me home with the bloodwork and a vaccine cert that I later learned was false! They did not provide me any paperwork that indicated they did any kind of physical exam on him at all. Like they didn’t bother weighing him or listening to his heart. It was an awful experience.

I bring Tito home and he’s acting fine. I didn’t know what to do about his food. I was confused and angry the vet couldn’t really help me figure things out. I thought it was time to change his diet to the Hills prescription kidney diet. I decided to keep the appointment with the OTHER vet, and at that time they would retest his blood and see if he really has CKD or not. And do a proper work up with a urinalysis.

well 2 days later Tito is in the litter box having diarrhea nonstop. He kept going every hour. I had to stay up for two nights in a row- because that’s how long it went on. Then he stopped eating. Then came some vomit. My husband took him to the ER vet and he received excellent care. 9 hours later he was home and back to normal. They did a very thorough work up: the blood work was looking a lot better. Wbc had increased (still low, 4.9 which is an improvement from 3.55) his crea was 1.9. His total bilirubin level was elevated for some reason and the ER vet suspected pancreatitis, IBD, intestinal disease, or something else. They could not get a stool sample out of him because he was empty, and the one I brought was too contaminated with litter. Overall she was very pleased with his labs. She didn’t think he was having a vaccine reaction which was my initial guess. My cat has never had intestinal problems before. His stools are always well formed, and barely even smell. He never gets diarrhea.It was strange but he was instantly better after that. Maybe he just needed some fluids, a shot of b12, antibiotics and whatever else they did for him.

then Tito became constipated and didn’t poop for a few days. I was about to give him some miralax and he went poop and it was normal! I was so freaking happy. Then, my other cat started having the diarrhea! I had kept everything super clean and always cleaned up after him when he had it, so she started going every hour or so. This went on for about 2 days and then suddenly stopped. Her stools have now returned to normal. Tito’s however are mixed. He seems to have normal stools with a little diarrhea at the end. I guess things could be worse, but I should have never taken him out of the house. I don’t believe any of this would have ever happened.

I start to strongly suspect the vaccine caused this to happen to Tito. I look at the vaccine cert and it says: PURVAX 1 year dose, made by Zoetis, killed-SQ, with a serial # that is not from Boehringer-ingelheim OR Zoetis. The vet actually signed it too. I call the vet that gave him the vaccine to get clarification as to why I received this and I get accused of harassment and hung up on. How disgusting!!! I am deeply offended by this vet for overcharging me for essentially blood work and then giving me a document that has obvious errors on it. Purevax is made by Boehringer-ingelheim. I finally spoke to someone there that sent me a picture of the tray where the vaccine doses were stored in. It had the serial # and exp. date. I called the company and filed a claim. They are reimbursing me $500.

tito finally gets seen by the vet we want to be established with. She does a blood test, and everything shows within normal range. (Wbc at 5.9) crea 2.1. This vet thinks it may have been a vaccine reaction and the other cat having diarrhea could be unrelated. What’s weird is they had the same type of diarrhea and frequency. That’s basically the story, one cat had what I thought was a vaccine reaction but then the other cat was affected. I have some questions.

1. how often do you vaccinate your indoor cats? They say Purevax is the best but I don’t trust vaccines and I’m worried about my cats health.

2. do you think Tito had a vaccine reaction? The other cat started having diarrhea just a few days after him. If not, what could possibly have caused this? I was thinking panleuk and other horrible viruses but I think it’s unlikely.

3. have your cat(s)ever had a reaction to a vaccine? I am never vaccinating again, this is probably his third rabies shot. I don’t think he’s over vaccinated,which I’ve read a lot about but this was totally unnecessary.

4. Can there be a delayed reaction? I know the risks about tumors and such, but I worry the vaccine could cause harm on his organs like his kidneys or liver. Do you agree? Please put my mind at ease!

5.What do I do about the incorrect vaccine cert? Is this acceptable?

6. (maybe a dumb question)could the vaccine be causing him pain? He purrs when I hold him so I doubt it, but that does cross my mind a lot.

those are all the major questions I have, but any advice is greatly appreciated. Please share with me everything you know about this and help me make sense of everything. I’ve been crying a lot and feeling depressed- almost a whole month now.I've read every thread on vaccines and purevax, so i thought i would make my own. Thanks for reading.

 

[reba]

I have to find it, but there was a study that said there was no difference between the outcomes of the adjuvented (sp) and non. Several in fact. The rates of vaccine sarcoma from what I recall haven’t dropped at all. It’s just that they started saying you could go three years. I will look tomorrow. I haven’t vaxxed them since my sisters cat died of a vaccine sarcoma. My understanding is it’s also the rabies and not the other. Sorry for the lack of specifics. More to follow.

 

[dontcry]

Thanks for your reply. My main concern isn’t really about the vaccine induced sarcomas, but thanks for sharing. I did read something that said the non adjuvanted vaccines (Purevax) were just as risky as the adjuvanted, but I’ve seen overwhelming more things that say Purevax is safer for cats to reduce likelihood of cancer. I won’t be vaccinated my cat any more either, because it’s not worth the risk of vaccine injury to protect my cat from rabies which is an almost 0% chance he could ever encounter it

 

[Sajast]

1. I vaccinate whenever they are due including rabies. Also, rabies = law so you’ll have a hard time finding a vet in the future should he need to be seen if he’s not current on the vaccine. Vets are not very accommodating about personal beliefs when they’re put up against a law (also, mega liability).
2. Vaccine reactions, meaning an immune response to the vaccine, usually aren’t very delayed. But physical stress could have caused it.
3. Yes. My old man was reactive to the rabies vaccine. He would lose his fur at the injection site and his skin would turn bright cherry tomato red. He was about 6-7 years when that started and the vet started giving him a shot of Benadryl at the start of the appointment and 30 minutes later the vaccine. He never had a problem after that.
4. See #2
5. Depending on where you live, rabies vaccine info is automatically sent by the vet office to animal care and control. I mean, it’s not great that they misprinted the vaccine info but all animal care and control will care about is that the cat is vaccinated.
6. No. He’s fine.

 

[fionasmom]

The general consensus on TCS seems to be that the Purevax vaccine is the safer. The two threads may help with some of your questions. The search is for all general questions on TCS about or related to Purevax.

Purevax rabies vaccine
Rabies Vaccine Reaction
Do Indoor-only Cats Need Rabies Shots? – TheCatSite Articles

Search Results for Query: purevax

I certainly understand your concern about your cat and your vigilance in wanting to safeguard his health. My personal experience has been that the only vaccine which caused a reaction in any cat I have ever owned was the leukemia vaccine. I never gave it again to anyone. My personal cats are indoor only and everyone is tested before they ever enter the house. I do FVRCP and rabies for my cats, although the vector for rabies in my general area is only bats and they are confined to the foothills...however, in that area pets do come across them, pick them up in their mouths, and need to be able to show proof of rabies vaccine if it goes further than that. For that matter, people who come across a downed bat and pick it up will routinely be given the rabies series as the teeth of bats are too small to safely determine if the skin was broken.

Are you in a state which has mandatory rabies requirements for the vaccine for cats? Ideally, a pet cat or dog who might be exposed should be quarantined and observed, but not all states follow that procedure.

I don't know if I think that Tito had a reaction or not....but I am in no way questioning your account of what happened. While I could be wrong, I don't believe I have ever seen a "years later" reaction to a vaccine. Likewise for continuing pain beyond a sore injection site for a day or two.

Cat Vaccinations: A Quick & Useful Guide – TheCatSite Articles

 

[dontcry]

Thank you for answering my questions in number format, lol S Sajast .

I understand that rabies is required by law in my state (FL), however no vets enforce it. I spoke to other vets and they said they would not vaccinate but strongly recommend doing so. Vaccines are meant to be given to healthy cats, so the vet should have examined him and looked at his labs FIRST before administering the PureVax. Do you agree or do you think it was right that the vet gave him the shot without examination first?

I have a fear that I may have shortened his life by giving him the rabies vaccine. Do you think that's crazy? I just feel like he would have been better off without. The 0.00000000000000000001% chance he has of getting rabies isn't worth the risk to me. I know other cat owners feel differently, like their protecting their babies, but I feel the opposite. Like I've done more harm than good. Things really went downhill fast after he was vaccinated.

The misprinted vaccine cert is a problem for me. They were so adamant about giving him the rabies shot and then they send me home with a certification that is totally invalid. To me, that just isn't acceptable but there isn't anything I can do. The vet staff is rude and unprofessional, and most of all incompetent and lazy. What kind of vet signs off on a vaccine cert that says PureVax is made by Zoetis? Doesn't sound like a very caring and careful doctor to me.

I hope he is fine, as you think. He appears to be 100% like himself. He didn't have dinner with my husband and I last night. (he usually sits on the chair next to us and watches us eat) but he ate all of HIS dinner so that's all that matters I guess!

 

[dontcry]

Thank you for responding to my thread fionasmom

I've actually read all of those articles/links you shared.
I was on a mission to learn everything about PureVax, rabies vaccines, etc. I've even contacted Boehringer-Ingelheim and filed a claim, my case was escalated to a veternarian, and that vet spoke to my established vet and decided I would be getting reimbursement. Not sure if they can link his diarrhea, lack of appetitive, and vomit to the vaccine, but it seems to me like it's likely, considering they are reimbursing me.

I know both of my cats have gotten vaccinated when they were kittens, and I'm not sure how many more since their "kitten shots" but I'm pretty sure this is Tito's third rabies vaccine. I really don't know for sure. I used to live in Orlando, FL and there were bats and higher number rabies cases than most of the state. But no vet my cats were taken to insisted on doing the rabies vaccine. My husband and I move to a new part of the state where there are 0 rabies cases and this one vet I take him to requires it. My house has no attic or chimney, so no critters are going to get in unless I leave a door or window open. Which is just not going to happen.

It's reassuring that you've never seen a years later reaction to a vaccine. Do you vaccinate your cats every year? How old are they? I think the older the cat is the less likely they need repeat vaccinations but that's just my opinion. My cats are strictly indoor. If they were outdoor it would be a different story.

 

[fionasmom]

I do three years on the rabies and three on the FVRCP because I believe that immunity, especially for indoor only cats, is probably still sufficient. This is GRAS but ironically, even though I really like my cat vet, they want a vaccine every year which I consider to be unnecessary. Oddly enough, one of my cats has been to a couple specialists and neither even asked if he had a rabies vaccine.

 

[Maurey]

Oddly enough, one of my cats has been to a couple specialists and neither even asked if he had a rabies vaccine.

This is only generally asked if an animal comes in with an injury from a bite or claw marks. In which case a vet will typically refuse to treat the animal (even if it’s an indoor cat) if it’s not up to date on the rabies vaccine. At least that’s the way it works where I live.

 

[dontcry]

Update:
Its been almost a month since I took my cat to the vet and he got the Purevax rabies 1 year vaccine. He had pretty bad diarrhea today. He’s not going every hour or so, like he did 2 days after getting vaccinated, but his stools have not been consistent. We’ve never had this problem before. His stools are always normal and clean 100% of the time. So I’m wondering what has caused this. Was it the vaccine? My other cat had it too, but it only lasted about 2 days and her stools have returned to normal. I can’t find anything online that can explain this. Please help

 

[reba]

I did go back and search google scholar for the vaccine research and I did find it. Unfortunately it is on my other desktop. I will post links later. Takeways were as follows:

There’s no evidence that the adjuvants were the problem, despite the fact that these claims were taken at face value
There’s been no drop in the incidence of vaccine sarcomas; they’re just in different spots now because they vaccinate in the hind leg
The rates are likely higher than is quoted, the 1% you see is based on biopsied tissue, most people don’t have their cat’s tumors biopsied

My takeaway was that basically nothing was done about it and they really never got to the bottom of what was causing the problem. One article said that cats that were prone to tumors were more at risk. The rabies vaccine was more of a risk than the FRVCP if I recall. I realize with kittens, vaccinations are a must, but it’s the older cats I wonder about.

As far as I’m concerned, my cats have zero chance of getting rabies. I don’t know how to feel about the FRVCP (sp) especially since I just lost two of my beloved kitties and am considering fostering next spring. I’m worried about putting them at risk if I do that. Well actually to be more blunt, I won’t, but there goes fostering or adopting. I think Dr. Pierson said I could have titters done.

Could anyone share their experience with the risk involved with fosters and communicable illnesses.

Also caveat: This in no way applies to my feelings about human vaccines, which are a modern miracle

 

[reba]

This is only generally asked if an animal comes in with an injury from a bite or claw marks. In which case a vet will typically refuse to treat the animal (even if it’s an indoor cat) if it’s not up to date on the rabies vaccine. At least that’s the way it works where I live.

The don’t ask or they ask and don’t check. Or actually probably they size up the situation and weigh other factors as well.

 

[reba]

I do three years on the rabies and three on the FVRCP because I believe that immunity, especially for indoor only cats, is probably still sufficient. This is GRAS but ironically, even though I really like my cat vet, they want a vaccine every year which I consider to be unnecessary. Oddly enough, one of my cats has been to a couple specialists and neither even asked if he had a rabies vaccine.

If they want to vax every year, then they haven’t been reading the literature. If I can find it they damn well should be able to.

 

[reba]

Thank you for responding to my thread fionasmom


m not sure how many more since their "kitten shots" but I'm pretty sure this is Tito's third rabies vaccine. I really don't know for sure. I used to live in Orlando, FL and there were bats and higher number rabies cases than most of the state. But no vet my cats were taken to insisted on doing the rabies vaccine. My husband and I move to a new part of the state where there are 0 rabies cases and this one vet I take him to requires it. My house has no attic or chimney, so no critters are going to get in unless I leave a door or window open. Which is just not going to happen.

Oh the bat thing. Don’t get me started. I had one older vet, who started in on the bat thing. Then he gave my cat a vaccine without asking me. Bye.