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Some threads I've been reading on this forum prompted me to research a bit about current recommendations for vaccine protocols, vaccine associated sarcoma, etc. My vet has always recommended in the past that my adult cats get annual combo boosters and rabies every two years. No FeLV or FIV for my indoor-only kitties. However, the reading I've been doing seems to indicate that the current recommendations are for boosters every 3 years for the vaccines my cats usually get. Am I understanding this correctly?
If so, I will have to discuss this with my vet. My question is, if there are risks involved with the vaccines, why not just do titers instead of automatically vaccinating at one year, three years, or any other arbitrary time frame? (I realize there are legal requirements pertaining to rabies, but setting that aside for this discussion...) Are the costs of running titers substantially more for the pet owner? Is the profit to the veterinarian substantially less? Is there a risk associated with the titer draw that I am unaware of?
I am just trying to gather some information in order to have my thoughts organized before I approach my vet. I trust him and value his recommendations very much, but I want to be an informed pet owner on this subject. Bastian just got his one year old boosters last month (combo and rabies), and Griffin is due to go in for his. 3yo Sprout is also "due", since according to his records he received his last vaccinations in February 08. At the moment I am leaning toward going ahead with Griffin's boosters for this year. I am also leaning toward going ahead with a set of vaccinations for Sprout, just so I can know for certain he's gotten them. (His last rabies was done with his former owners, and other vaccs done at the HS before they adopted him.) But then I think... wouldn't a titer accomplish that same goal?
Even if I do proceed with that course of action for now, I would like to discuss future plans with my vet. What are your experiences with titers vs. vaccinations?
If so, I will have to discuss this with my vet. My question is, if there are risks involved with the vaccines, why not just do titers instead of automatically vaccinating at one year, three years, or any other arbitrary time frame? (I realize there are legal requirements pertaining to rabies, but setting that aside for this discussion...) Are the costs of running titers substantially more for the pet owner? Is the profit to the veterinarian substantially less? Is there a risk associated with the titer draw that I am unaware of?
I am just trying to gather some information in order to have my thoughts organized before I approach my vet. I trust him and value his recommendations very much, but I want to be an informed pet owner on this subject. Bastian just got his one year old boosters last month (combo and rabies), and Griffin is due to go in for his. 3yo Sprout is also "due", since according to his records he received his last vaccinations in February 08. At the moment I am leaning toward going ahead with Griffin's boosters for this year. I am also leaning toward going ahead with a set of vaccinations for Sprout, just so I can know for certain he's gotten them. (His last rabies was done with his former owners, and other vaccs done at the HS before they adopted him.) But then I think... wouldn't a titer accomplish that same goal?
Even if I do proceed with that course of action for now, I would like to discuss future plans with my vet. What are your experiences with titers vs. vaccinations?