Opinions,Plz/Feluk vaccine/ Long!

[ormee]

Hello
This is my first post here altho I've been
reading other posts for a long while. I would
appreciate your opinions on this subject.I am
not a new cat mommy. My original family consisted of a family of cats, the mamma and 3 babies and the last of my babies lived to the age of 22 in 1998. When it was time to start
a new family, we went to the Humane Society
and there waiting for us was Cuddles (1 1/2 yr Female) a.k.a. Cudz and I am convinced that Happy(22) sent her to us.
(I don't feel silly saying this to you -- I'm
sure you understand). She is my Heart! Anyway,
at 3 1/2 I thought it was now or never to get
her a sibling, so back to the Humane Society
spending 3 consective days "interviewing" cats
(or should I say,they "interviewed me") to find just the right companion for her.Everyone kept telling me the new addition
HAD to be a kitten -- my gut told me this would not be tolerated by Cudz and I was determined to adopt an older cat 'cause they're the ones that are overlooked. Well, it
was Isaac who I chose (1 1/2 yr.old male). He
has been with us since Sept. and it has fortunately worked out fine. He Adores Cudz and even tho she won't admit it -- she likes bossing him around.Hubby and I got very Lucky!
My question: I'm very responsible and today
took the cats for their annual exams and shots. They are spayed and neutered/ microchipped(the Humane Society does that)/in
door cats. Both have been tested for Feluk and
are negative and have had their shots. They
are not exposed to other cats. In the past year we have moved and now have a new vet.She
gave Cudz her rabies and FRCCP and Iz his rabies (he's not due for his other yet),but
disuaded us from continuing with the Feline
Leukemia vaccine. She claims that since the
cats are not outside and exposed to other cats
that it is unnecessary and since it's not airborne she doesn't like to give the vaccine
because in her research she's found that there
is a greater incidence of sercoma (cancer) brought on by the vaccine which outweighs in
her opinion the chance of either of them being
exposed to Feluk.My concern is that a kennel
will not board them w/o this vaccine. She
said that if we were to board them at a cat
kennel we could do an updated bloodtest and
she would write a letter saying that they are
negative. My husband thought this was a better
idea. I was not comfortable with it. Why, if
we need to board them should I add to the trauma of shlepping them to the vet each time
to draw blood/run tests/ and confirm with
documentation? We hardly travel but there
are times that would call for putting them in
the kennel. The vet(who takes a sort of holistic approach ) said that kennels are under a misconception about this illness and
too many animals are euthanized needlessly
when tests are positive. She said that "kennel
cough" vaccine is the one that they should be
concerned about not Feluk. Pet sitting is not really a good answer 'cause my "kids" like
someone here at night.Family and friends not
an option.Hubby thinks the chance of cancer
is the greater danger (this vaccine didn't
even exist when I had my "first" family of furbabies).I don't know if I agree -- I want
to do the right thing.
Anyway, I am sorry this is sooooo long, but
if you could share your experiences and opinions regarding this I would greatly appreciate it.
I'll save my questions re: food for another
post --- now that all these reports have come
out w/ disturbing info regarding that. Oh, if
only my cats could read so I don't have to
explain why they can't have their favorite
treats anymore! The vet was intense about
that too. FYI -- the "kids" are healthy.
Gee, I must have done something right! I had
a cat that lived to 22!!But then he was remarkable and had 9 lives plus 9 more!
I am sooo Confused. Thank you for reading this
and responding.



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[wolflady]

Hello ormee, and welcome to the site!

Wow! What an impressive family of furbabies you must have had! Many purrs and kitty nose kisses to all of them, past and present!
This can be a confusing issue, especially since the cats are indoors all the time like mine are.
If you haven't seen it already, be sure to check out my experience with booster shots and my cat's terrible reaction! http://petoftheday.com/talk/Forum13/HTML/000066.html

After going through that experience, I'm usure if I ever want to get booster shots and put him through that again! Since they're inside, they are not exposed to anything...so it's a hard decision for me. Although, when we go on vacation, we usually have a family memeber, friend, or pet sitter come to the house to care for the animals so they do not have the issue that you may have with the cat kennel.

I would think that if you are uncomfortable about not getting the shots, then go for it. As long as the shot isn't givin in the same location all the time, the chance for sarcomas is limited. Vets have started giving shots in different locations to reduce the possibility of sarcoma, and now the rabies shot is only once every 3 years. As long as your cat doesn't have a horrible reaction to the shot, it's much easier to just go ahead and get it done with all the others. The vet should understand your concerns, and I agree with you that it would probably be a little more traumatic to the cat to go and get blood drawn every time. A few of the members on this forum mentioned to me that I might look into a cat only vet, after the experience I had. You could consider this if you get uncomfortable with your current vet's approach to things. Go with your feelings, chances are they are right.

Good luck and let us know what you decide!

Karen

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"In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats." - English proverb

[ormee]

Thanks Wolflady and Spencerthelion for responding to my question. After talking to

a friend today, who is a devoted cat mom to

now 3 cats.A few weeks ago her 8 yr.old

little boy crossed over the Rainbow Bridge.

He had suddenly become blind for no apparent

reason and after numerous visits to the

vet and specialists, it was determined that

he had a tumor. He was the only cat in the

household who had yearly FLV vaccinations

because altho her cats are indoors, he was

a notorious escape artist. Her vet discouraged the feline leukemia vaccine for

the same reason mine did -- the possible

development of cancer. Well, that made my

mind up. Re: boarding -- I'll find a plan--

I'll start getting referrals for petsitters.

Thank you for your response.

I love this message board and reading All the

Love everyone has for their furbabies. Purrs

to you and your "kids".

'bye for now

Ormee

P.S. Wolflady -- yes, I read your post re:

the Nightmare "routine" vet visit. Just

horrifying. Glad it all turned out fine and

it's just a bad memory now.

[4 feline house]

Ormee-

Welcome to the boards!

In my somewhat educated and experienced opinion, I would say that if you board your cats, they will need to be vaccinated (and about six weeks before they go). Although the transmission of FelV is considered to require close contact, I would be afraid to trust even the best kennel as far as cleanliness and universal precautions go. I personally do not vaccinate my cats for FeLV, because they are indoor cats. Two of them escape occasionally, but only for short periods and they stay very close to home. We have virtually no outdoor cat population in our neighborhood. I agree with your vet that kennel cough is the more rampant communicable pet disease encountered in boarded dogs! The only thing I might be concerned about, though, is the fact that your vet blames the FeLV for the sarcomas. It may be that my vet has neglected to update me (and I haven't asked), but my vet said that it wasn't clear what vaccine was to blame, or even if it was a vaccine at all - they were just assuming it was because of the location. It could be that the studies have been completed and FeLV is to blame. If so, someone please let me know! And most vets, like Wolflady and Spencer have mentioned, are rotating sites and inoculating every three years. FeLeuk is still annual (I think - again, anybody out there can update me since mine don't get it) and Texas still requires an annual rabies, but I think the rest of the world is giving them every three years.

So, to sum up, other steps can be taken to lessen the risk of sarcoma, and your cats will be exposed to other cats, so I would get the shots. This is just my opinion, thoough.

[bookitty1231]

My vet told me the same thing. She says that the Feline Leukemia Vacination could have too many harmful side affects and doesn't recommend it unless you have allow your cat outside or near cats that go back in forth. She says its just a risky thing in her opinion and there are still things they are learning about Feline Leukemia and the vacinations. She said it is one of the most harmful vaccinations. I opted not to have my inside cats vacinated for it for that reason.

[4 feline house]

Ormee-
Evidently we posted at the same time, so by the time my message posted, you had already made up your mind! I think the decision was good for your circumstances.

Bookitty-
Thanks for the update on the FeLV vaccinations!

[wolflady]

ormee, sounds like you made a good decision for your kitties. We always want to do what's best for them! Good luck on the pet sitters! They have worked out well for us (when there was no family to pan the duty on...LOL)

bookitty, thanks for the update on the boosters. My vet hadn't mentioned anything about it, and I have to wonder if the reaction my cat had to the shot was related to the felv booster?? After going through that experience, I was thinking that I didn't want to get them done again, especially since they are indoor only cats. Rabies would be the only shot I would really have to get once every 3 years, right?

[4 feline house]

Wolflady-

My vet has been using a 3-year upper respiratory (FVRCP) for at least three years now. In most states the rabies is also 3 year. So if you don't choose to give FeLV and don't live in Texas, you only have to take your cats in every three years for shots. Of course, they should still get annual exams.