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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / June 2004Shots?
I need advice on shots for my cat. The vet routinely administers the following shots annually: FELV Feline Leukemia FIP Feline Infectious Paratinitus FIV Feline Immune Virus (cat AIDS) FVRCP/C Feline distemper He also administers rabies shots at the same time. I went ahead with the rabies shot because it is required by law. I postponed all other shots until I could find out more about them. Clearly they are not necessary, but are they desirable, and if so on what basis? Let me try to summarize my uneasiness. The feline leukemia brochure discloses that this vaccination does not always prevent leukemia. Now it seems to me that there is some risk to a small animal in shots like this, so how does the less-than-certain benefit of this shot outweigh the risk of giving the shot? In other words if there is a definite, significant benefit, then fine, my little guy gets the shots. But if the benefit isn't definite, or isn't significant, then I'm inclined to spare him. What I'm getting at is that once upon a time it was sincerely believed that tonsilectomies were a good idea for humans. Many infants had their tonsils removed as a matter of course. Far too many. But it turns out, it was not a good idea, especially not as a preventive measure. Tonsilectomies are no longer performed except for good reason. I mistrust serious procedures performed as a matter of course. Shots for small animals are serious. The vaccines themselves are poisonous and may have adverse consequences. So I'm looking for explanations, shot by shot. Benefits if any, and how significant? Risk if any, and how serious? Adverse effects, and how would I know? In case it helps, the little guy is a neutered domestic shorthair, and mostly an outdoor cat. He is about 1-1/2 years old, alert and in good health. Thanks in advance -- Jim > I need advice on shots for my cat. > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > He also administers rabies shots at the same time. Note: many vaccines are not 100% reliable. FeLV vaccine is recommended only for high-risk cats. There is no good vaccine for FIP, as FIP is now known to be a mutated strain of the coronavirus. It is the coronavirus that causes it and it mutates in the cat's body. No vaccine will prevent it. The vaccine for FIP was completely ineffective. If the vaccine is actually for coronavirus, which nearly 80% of cats, it is probably not worth getting. 95% of cats who get coronavirus never develop FIP from it and they are usually exposed as young kittens. I'd pass on that one. FIV vaccine is recommended for high-risk cats (outdoor cats or cats in multicat environments such as catteries) only. Note that vaccinated cats will TEST POSITIVE even though they aren't sick. This can be a problem, as the vaccine isn't 100% - so you won't know if your cat is sick or not. Distemper combo vaccine is a necessity. http://www.vet.cornell.edu/Public/FHC/vaccbr.html http://www.hsus.org/ace/11790 http://www.southpaws.com/topics/felv.html  Signature-- ~kaeli~ The Bermuda Triangle got tired of warm weather. It moved to Finland. Now Santa Claus is missing. http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace > need advice on shots for my cat. Well, here's my advice, based on that of my vet's and the American Association of Feline Practitioners: >The vet routinely administers the following shots annually: > FELV Feline Leukemia Only for cats at risk.This vaccination is not recommended for indoor only cats or cats that only go outdoors with supervision. > FIP Feline Infectious Paratinitus Not recommended for routine use. Questionable effectiveness. > FIV Feline Immune Virus (cat AIDS) Not recommended for routine use; once a cat is vaccinated he/she will always test positive for FIV and there is currently no test to distinguish between infection and vaccination. FIV is only spread through deep bite wounds; therefore at risk cats are those that roam outside and fight. > FVRCP/C Feline distemper Highly recommended. The protocol is every three years once the primary vaccination and booster (usually when the cat was a kitten) have been given. >He also administers rabies shots at the same time. As you note, usually required by local or state law. >I went ahead with the rabies shot because it is required by law. I >postponed all other shots until I could find out more about them. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >this, so how does the less-than-certain benefit of this shot outweigh >the risk of giving the shot? It only outweighs the risk if the cat is at high risk for becoming infected with FeLV. >In other words if there is a definite, significant benefit, then fine, >my little guy gets the shots. But if the benefit isn't definite, or >isn't significant, then I'm inclined to spare him. If it were me, and he is an indoor cat or goes outside but doesn't roam, I'd just give the FVRCP every three years, and the rabies because you have to. And that happens to be exactly what our cat clinic recommends. I begin to wonder about shots for indoor only cats. I would recommend rabies if there is ANY risk of it in your area. You can not guarantee that the cat will not escape the house and/or nothing will get in. Fvrcp is recommended because you CAN bring it into your cat if you are exposed. Its not high risk, but since it is a risk, its recommended. Felv is a cat to cat contact only no vaccine is 100% effective and I agree with the other posts, do not do the FIP and FIV vaccines. Actually a lot of the experts out there say that the FIP vaccine can actually give FIP. > I begin to wonder about shots for indoor only cats. In the fine newsgroup "rec.pets.cats.health+behav", "~*Connie*~" <no@spam.com> artfully composed this message within <news:V5SdnbZab59E5lbdRVn-iQ@adelphia.com> on 12 Jun 2004: > I would recommend rabies if there is ANY risk of it in your > area. You can not guarantee that the cat will not escape the > house and/or nothing will get in. Fvrcp is recommended because > you CAN bring it into your cat if you are exposed. Its not high > risk, but since it is a risk, its recommended. I've read many studies WRT anual vaccinations, and tend to believe when they say that it is becoming more known that vaccinations last a lot longer than it used to be thought. That said, I talked to my cats' vet about this and she doesn't think it is widely accepted yet and tends to err on the side of caution when it comes to the FVRCP combo. Particularly for younger cats because she believes the immunity builds up with yearly vaccines, but is in agreement that this is good only for healthy cats. Shadow (~12 years old, double trouble healthwise) is not getting any more vaccines at all. Rabies included. Shamrock (3 yearish, severe skin allergies), we will take on a year by year basis, but she agreed that this year he isn't up for shots. Though he did get the FeLV booster because he is exposed. He had a 3-year rabies last year so that wasn't an issue. She skipped the FVRCP booster for him this year. Bonnie got shots today, but she is a healthy ~1 year old. I don't like the idea of getting them all (3-yr rabies, FVR P-P (what is the difference from FVRCP??) and FeLV booster; she is also exposed) in one day, but it was extremely hard to get her to even one vet visit. She's on to me now so I couldn't catch her in another week or two for another vet visit. Felv is a cat to > cat contact only > > no vaccine is 100% effective > and I agree with the other posts, do not do the FIP and FIV > vaccines. Actually a lot of the experts out there say that the > FIP vaccine can actually give FIP. SignatureCheryl Regarding shots for indoor only cats..I wrote: "I begin to wonder about shots for indoor only cats." I also wonder whether male cats are more prone to certain diseases..kidney disease, for example. I must admit that all my research (regarding cats) obtained during the past 5-10 years has flown out the window. My 4 1/2 year old Sammy - my heart & soul - made me doubt everything I knew before. I want him to live forever! To summarize the consensus, what I hear you saying is: 1. Rabies shots are necessary because they are required by law. 2. Distemper shot is unanimously considered good. 3. Leukemia shot is recommended for outdoor cats. 4. FIP is not recommended 5. FIV is not recommended but there are exceptions. So it looks like my little guy will get the distemper shot for sure. What wasn't answered is frequency. The local vet recommends all shots annually. But I checked another vet who says every 3 years, unfortunately I don't recall for which shots. 1. Distemper - what frequency? 2. Leukemia - what frequency? Thanks, Jim circa Mon, 14 Jun 2004 11:05:35 -0500, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, Jim Foyle (me@privacy.net) said, > To summarize the consensus, what I hear you saying is: > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > 1. Distemper - what frequency? > 2. Leukemia - what frequency? Go with the vet who recommended three years. Cornell did a long-term study of vaccination efficacy and determined that three-year boosters after the first round of vaccinations and a booster 12 months later were sufficient. The rabies vaccine, however, may be required by law to be given annually, depending on where you live. In what state are you (if you're in the U.S.)? I compiled a list of the various states' mandates as far as rabies vaccination goes. Laura SignatureExperience is the name every one gives to their mistakes. -Oscar Wilde >To summarize the consensus, what I hear you saying is: > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > >1. Distemper - what frequency? Is this a grown cat that has already had his kitten set of shots? After the primary set of vaccinations, the recommended protocol is no more frequently than every three years. >2. Leukemia - what frequency? This is still administered annually. Rabies vaccination can be given every year or every three years--which frequency depends on the requirements of local law. >Rabies vaccination can be given every year or every three years--which >frequency depends on the requirements of local law. I have also heard that, if your cat is health-compromised, that your vet can write a letter that exempts the cat from the law. I don't have any experience with this first-hand, though. Sherry > Rabies vaccination can be given every year or every three years--which > frequency depends on the requirements of local law. Anybody know what Texas requires? Jim >> Rabies vaccination can be given every year or every three years--which >> frequency depends on the requirements of local law. > >Anybody know what Texas requires? > >Jim TDH allows three year vaccine, but they have left it up to local jurisdiction as to the requirement of a three year or annual. You will have to check the local laws. Here is TDH web site http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/zoonosis/REGS/rabiesvacc/rabiesvacc.asp > >> Rabies vaccination can be given every year or every three years--which > >> frequency depends on the requirements of local law. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > Here is TDH web site > http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/zoonosis/REGS/rabiesvacc/rabiesvacc.asp And my warmest thanks to you too. Jim circa Tue, 15 Jun 2004 10:46:36 -0500, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, Jim Foyle (me@privacy.net) said, > > Rabies vaccination can be given every year or every three years--which > > frequency depends on the requirements of local law. > > Anybody know what Texas requires? I posted this before, but had a no-archive header in there, so I'm reposting: Props to those who provided additional information regarding Alabama and Texas. States that require vaccination: Alaska Arkansas Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Indiana Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Minnesota Mississippi Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Mexico North Carolina Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Vermont Virginia West Virginia Further information: Alabama- annual vaccination required. Alaska- cats are required to be vaccinated at 12+ weeks and 1 year later, followed by triennial boosters. http://www.epi.hss.state.ak.us/bulletins/docs/b2002_01.htm Arizona- vaccination not required. State recommends vaccination. http://www.maricopa.gov/pets/pdf/cat_licensing.pdf http://www.speedwayvet.com/swpage2.htm Arkansas- annual vaccination required. http://www.healthyarkansas.com/services/rabies_main.htm California- locally mandated requirements; state requires rabies control programs. http://www.dhs.ca.gov/ohb/HESIS/rabies.htm#Prevention%20and%20Control Colorado- locally mandated requirements. State recommends vaccination. http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/dc/zoonosis/rabies/comp-02.pdf Connecticut- cats are required to be vaccinated at 12+ weeks and 1 year later, followed by triennial boosters. Cats receiving first vaccination after 1 year of age are required only to have triennial boosters. http://www.cga.state.ct.us/2003/pub/Chap435.htm#Sec22-339b.htm Delaware- cats 6+ months must be vaccinated and owner must maintain valid vaccination certificate. Booster frequency determined by vaccine used. http://www.delcode.state.de.us/title3/c082/index.htm Florida- triennial vaccine required with triennial boosters. http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Disease_ctrl/epi/Rabies_Guidebook/rabies00 Georgia- annual vaccination required http://www.gpc.dhr.georgia.gov/00/article/0,2086,5640847_0_ 11794808,00.html Hawaii- because there is no rabies in Hawaii, requirements to bring animals into the state are complex; quarantine requirements have been reduced (to as little as five days) if animals meet specific requirements. No record of required vaccination for resident animals that are not traveling out-of-state. http://www.hawaiiag.org/AQS/aqs-checklist-resident.PDF http://www.hawaii.gov/gov/Members/steveb/News_Item.2003-06-23.3313 Idaho- no vaccination requirements found; vaccination recommended. http://www2.state.id.us/dhw/cdp/bulletin/db12-99.htm http://www2.state.id.us/dhw/news/2002/06_21_02_rabidbats.htm Illinois- locally mandated requirements, e.g., Lake County requires vaccination. http://www.co.lake.il.us/health/pdfs/ehs/art_x.pdf Indiana- annual vaccination required beginning at 12 weeks. http://www.in.gov/boah/companion/rabies/fact_sheet.html Iowa- locally mandated requirements. http://www.maricopa.gov/pets/pdf/cat_licensing.pdf http://www.cityofmarion.org/faq/pet_info.html Kansas- locally mandated requirements. http://www.kdhe.state.ks.us/epi/download/RabiesCompendium2004.pdf Kentucky- vaccination required for cats that are exhibited or sold; annual/triennial requirements depend on age of animal at first vaccination. Cats not required to be vaccinated if not exhibited or sold, but local governments are permitted to implement requirements. http://www.kyagr.com/state_vet/ah/Sale%20Show%20Regs.htm#Section9 http://tinyurl.com/2pa5y Louisiana- annual vaccination required. http://www.catpractice.com/vaccin.html http://www.sbpanimal.homestead.com/RVD.html Maine- vaccination required. http://www.maine.gov/dhs/etl/rabies/rabiesfacts.htm Maryland- vaccination required. Annual/triennial requirement dependent on vaccine and age of animal. http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/publ-rel/dateline/2003/may03/0503tara.htm Massachusetts- cats are required to be vaccinated by six months of age or within thirty days of acquisition of a cat older than six months of age, with booster 9 months to 1 year later. Subsequent booster frequency determined by vaccine used. http://www.mass.gov/agr/legal/regs/animal_1000%7E1 _rabiesprevention.pdf Michigan- locally mandated requirements. Cities adopting licensing programs must also require rabies vaccination. http://www.michiganhumane.org/site/PageServer? pagename=vetcare_felineDesease http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stusmist287_290.htm Minnesota- vaccination required; frequency of booster determined by vaccine used. http://server.admin.state.mn.us/resource.html?Id=2867 Mississippi- cats are required to be vaccinated at 12+ weeks and 1 year later, followed by triennial boosters using triennial vaccine. http://www.msdh.state.ms.us/msdhsite/index.cfm/14,917,142,pdf/Recomme ndationsForVets%2Epdf Missouri- locally mandated requirements. http://muextension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/pets/g09940.htm Montana- animals must have valid rabies certificate if imported into the state, sold in the state or upon change of ownership. http://www.discoveringmontana.com/liv/animalhealth/imports/PETS.asp http://www.discoveringmontana.com/liv/animalhealth/diseases/RABIES.as p Nebraska- vaccination required. http://www.nol.org/legislative/statutes/R/71/44/R7144002.html http://www.nol.org/legislative/statutes/R/71/44/R7144003.html http://www.nol.org/legislative/statutes/R/71/44/R7144001.html Nevada- triennial vaccination required. http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Register/1999TempRegister/T058-99A.pdf New Hampshire- vaccination required. Frequency of booster dependent on vaccine (?) http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/XL/436/436-100.htm New Jersey- locally mandated requirements. http://www.maricopa.gov/pets/pdf/cat_licensing.pdf http://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/rabies.htm New Mexico- triennial vaccination required unless overridden by locally mandated requirements. http://www.petroglyphsnm.org/news/fal03news.html New York- locally mandated requirements. http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=nyc_s_2_11_66 http://www.lovethatcat.com/stny.html North Carolina- vaccination required. http://www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/rabies/ North Dakota- locally mandated requirements. State recommends mandating rabies vaccination. http://www.health.state.nd.us/disease/rabies/rabiescomp2002.pdf Ohio- locally mandated requirements. http://www.usaha.org/reports/epiat97.html http://tinyurl.com/26aeb Oklahoma- locally mandated requirements. http://www.health.state.ok.us/program/hpromo/comcol/rabies.pdf http://www.okc.gov/news/2004_01/rabies.html Oregon- locally mandated requirements. http://www.vil.oregon.wi.us/Clerk/Pet%20Licensing.htm http://www.hswv.com/adoption.html Pennsylvania- cats are required to be vaccinated at 12+ weeks and 1 year later, followed by triennial boosters. http://tinyurl.com/29van Rhode Island- vaccination required. http://www.state.ri.us/dem/programs/bnatres/fishwild/rabies.htm South Carolina- vaccination required. http://www.scdhec.net/news/releases/2002/nr03clinics02.htm South Dakota- vaccination required at frequency determined by vaccine used. http://nsu-cc.northern.edu/aac/rabies.html Tennessee- vaccination required. http://www.state.tn.us/sos/acts/103/pub/pc0765.pdf Texas- vaccination required; may be annual or triennial depending on locality. http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/zoonosis/REGS/rabiesvacc/rabiesvacc.asp Utah- vaccination required. http://health.utah.gov/epi/rabies/R386rabies.pdf Vermont- vaccination required. http://www.vermontagriculture.com/restright.PDF Virginia- vaccination required, boosters according to vaccine used. http://www.co.fairfax.va.us/ps/ac/rabfacts.htm Washington- locally mandated requirements. http://www.mrsc.org/Subjects/PubSafe/animal/AnimalLicense.aspx#Rabies West Virginia- vaccination every two years required. http://tinyurl.com/28xs5 Wisconsin- vaccination not required for cats. http://www.wvma.org/news02.asp Wyoming- locally mandated requirements; "rabies districts". http://www.wyadmb.com/Chapter25.PDF Laura SignatureExperience is the name every one gives to their mistakes. -Oscar Wilde > circa Tue, 15 Jun 2004 10:46:36 -0500, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, > Jim Foyle (me@privacy.net) said, [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > I posted this before, but had a no-archive header in there, so I'm > reposting: People like you are Usenet blessings. Thanks tremendously. Jim circa Tue, 15 Jun 2004 17:26:47 -0500, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, Jim Foyle (me@privacy.net) said, > People like you are Usenet blessings. Thanks tremendously. Ah, apparently you've not met my detractors. ;-) Laura SignatureExperience is the name every one gives to their mistakes. -Oscar Wilde circa Tue, 15 Jun 2004 19:57:09 GMT, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, Laura R. (UseFirstInitialPlusRobinson@technologist.com) said, > States that require vaccination: Aargh, Alabama wasn't in the short list, although it does list it later as a state requiring vaccination. Sorry about that. Laura SignatureExperience is the name every one gives to their mistakes. -Oscar Wilde |
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