I've read some conflicting information regarding vaccinations for cats. Some people suggest regular vaccinations, and others say this isn't always necessary.
The reason I ask is this-- I have cats, and all are a few months overdue for their yearly vaccinations. My vet has suggested a booster after the initial vaccinations (more shots, basically) since it's been over a year. Not only does this seem like overkill to me, it also seems like a waste of money. My cats are strictly indoor cats, by the way. So I'm wondering-- are these yearly vaccinations really necessary? My cats HATE them, and usually get pretty sick afterwards.
Can anyone offer me some insight here? Thanks in advance!
2007-10-16 10:39:46 · 7 answers · asked by Jelyol 6 in Pets ➔ Cats
To everyone-- thanks so much for your help. And by the way, I'm not giving anyone thumbs down here. I asked for opinions, you're giving them. No thumbs down for that!
2007-10-16 11:34:53 · update #1
Yearly vaccinations are still recommended even for indoor only cats. If yours are over a year old, and only a few months over due (not years overdue) for thier annual vaccines, I see no reason to booster those vaccines. However, if it has been years between vaccines, boostering would be more effective-- as the cat's immunity may have dropped and a booster series would be better. If your cats get sick, you could have them pretreated before the vaccines are given. I would also recommend the 3 year Rabies and 3 year Feline Distemper vaccines- that way, kitties only have to be poked every three years. The 3 year vaccine we use is a combo- so only 1 needle poke for kitty.
As far as vaccines causing problems the "Purevax" feline vaccines have been developed not to cause adverse reactions or problems in cats. They are safer, but also come with an increased cost, and I don't think they are available as a 3year vaccine.
2007-10-16 10:53:19 · answer #1 · answered by bioluminate 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would get him tested for FIV/Felv first. If he's negative for both, then move on to the vaccines. Legally, he has to be vaccinated for Rabies. If you plan on keeping him outdoors or having him as an indooor/outdoor cat, I would definitely get the FVRCP vaccine as well, maybe even the Felv vaccine. If he's going to be indoors only, you probably won't have to worry about the other vaccines unless he's going to be around other cats. And I'm not sure what the other person is smoking, but vaccines are here for a reason, to help prevent the spread of disease. There are far more diseases that vaccines protect against than just Rabies, and most of them can be fatal.
2016-05-22 23:52:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's funny how human vaccinations are ONCE in a lifetime (polio, small pox, etc.) with few exceptions--such as the tetanus needing a renewal every 10 years, yet animal vaccinations are scheduled every year.
The vaccines for more than a year in most instances, checking the titers in the blood would let you know how long that coverage is good for. Some rabies shots are listed as 'three year' now. A few months either way won't hurt anything-- sometimes I wonder if it was just a way of making sure cats would be brought in for a yearly exam so their health could be checked.
2007-10-16 13:06:05 · answer #3 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A question I have asked myself many many times.. I have all indoor cats.. they are all felv negative and are not going to come into contact with any cats that are because they do not go outside theefore I do not vaccinate against it..
The tricat cat vaccine .. research has recently shown that there is no benefit form yearly vaccinations against flu and entertitis.. just because a cat has been vaccinated does not necessarily mean that they will not catch the virus.. also there is evidence that repeated vaccinations into the back of the neck can cause tumour in later life..
personally I vaccinate all the kittens that leave me but this year I have had two kitten with an adverse reaction to the vaccine.. I am not the only one..I was lucky my kittens recovered..
read
http://www.kittenlist.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1834
once a cat/kitten has had an adverse reaction to a vaccine they become hyper sensitive to that vaccine .. which means the next time reaction could be 10 times worse..
information and a link to the debate on vacines can be found below
http://www.provet.co.uk/Petfacts/healthtips/catvaccines.htm
they are your cats the choice to/ not to vaccinate is yours .. the only problem is if you have insurance and the cat goes down with a virus/ disease that the can be vaccinated against and you have choosen not to vaccinte then the insurance will be null and void..
in the UK we do not vaccinat against rabies and distemper..
just felv / flu and entertitis
2007-10-16 11:10:03 · answer #4 · answered by LESLEY D 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That has been a real battle for me as well. I have definitely had some scary experiences with vaccinations, my mother is sure that they were behind the mysterious death of two of our cats. One just dissappeared, she was 7 and healthy the other was 11 and he was experiencing difficulty breathing and possible heart failure. Both times this happened after the regular vaccines.
I think you should do the essentials, REALLY essentials. If you think your cats have no chance of getting FIV for example then don't get the vaccine. Our vets have always stood by the vaccinations and claimed that they are completely safe but to be honest I don't think there has been enough research on the matter. I believe our vets to be very knowledgeable and I don't think they would ever intentionally disregard any potential threat but I try to avoid vaccines as much as possible from now on. If you have any reason to believe that your kitties have a comprimised immune system or if you have seen them react negatively to the vaccinations I would definitely try to skip the whole ordeal.
I hope that was somewhat helpful and I REALLY hope that there is some credible research on the issue that will enlighten us further in the future.
2007-10-16 10:52:28 · answer #5 · answered by Atilla the Han 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
That is definately a huge debate in veterinary medicine. Yes Vaccines are important, you begin the vaccine series when your kitten is about 6wks old, usually when their mother's immunity is starting to wear off. It's important then to booster them 3-4wks later. The normal series for cats are FVRCP (that's the feline distemper combo), FeLV (feline leukemia) and they get their Rabies around 12wks old. Please keep in mind that depending on your vet, this schedule could be different. Also depending on your vet, they may suggest other vaccines such as FIP, ringworm, and possibly FIV. I am not familiar with those last vaccines. If your cats are strictly indoor-NEVER go outside, and you never board them, or have them groomed, you may discuss a different protocol with your vet. Some vets are going to an every 3 yr schedule. I think that you should vaccinate your cats on the off chance that they scoot out the door and are exposed to who knows what. Most vets are willing to discuss what's best for your cats.
2007-10-16 10:55:53 · answer #6 · answered by Cheri P 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I just answered this below. Please look for the post
I not only belive it is wasting ,money, I believe you are unnecessariuly putting your cat at risk for any number of things more then the skin cancer people are talking about
http://www.holisticat.com/vaccinations.html
2007-10-16 10:49:05 · answer #7 · answered by Ken 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋