"New" Feline Rabies Vaccine?

[Craftlady]

Rabies shots we get are for 3 years.
First one ever given, is one year than 3 years there after.

[Freedom]

Hi Craftlady! Yup, I knew about that. There has to be a state OK for that.

I live right on the border, Rhode Island / Massachusetts. I live in RI, my vet is in Mass. Mass. recognizes the 3 year vaccine, RI does not. The old vaccines which my vet offered, it was the same vaccine. Just good for 3 years if you (and your cat) lived in Mass., good for 2 years if you lived in RI.

If you look at the Merial web site, the manufacturer of the Purevax, it is only good for one year.

[nepeta]

The way I understand it, there have been two principal methods of vaccination: modified live (attenuated) virus, and killed virus. The live virus vaccine is considered more effective generally, but in small numbers of cases it can become virulent and cause the disease it is supposed to prevent.

Rabies vaccines for cats used to be modified live virus, but some years ago changed to killed virus. At this time the adjuvant was added, which in most cases increases the effectiveness of the vaccine (which otherwise would be less effective than the live virus vaccine). However, the vaccine site sarcomas seem to be associated with the use of adjuvant.

The newer Merial vaccine is live virus (as I understand it -- but I'm not an MD or DVM), but is recombinant and this is supposed to make it unable to become virulent. Because it's live, it should be more effective, and therefore not require adjuvant.

Other than this, I can't judge what other risks may be associated with it.

[Taz_Zoee]

Taz just got his shots last night and I noticed on my receipt he got the Purevax. I didn't realize they were now using a one year rabies shot. I would have thought if I had a choice they would have asked me. If I can remember in a year, I will ask about the three year shot instead.

*Edit to add: The rabies (Purevax) shot Taz got last night only cost $18.48.

[phesina]

I've always gotten the longer-lasting ones for my cats.. then last summer my Sydney did develop a fibrosarcoma. Fortunately a surgical specialist was able to remove it completely.

But after that happened, mine get the one-year kind. (I'm not even sure about getting them rabies shots at all any more, after Sydney's tumor, since they are strictly inside cats.)

Pat

[fragrancehound]

I am going to have to ask my vet about this Purevax. Ever since Panther died because of the fibrosarcoma I have been very hesitant about getting rabies shots for my two other fur babies and they are due soon too.