Vaccinations

Viewing 11 posts - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)
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  • #51575
    Joan
    Participant

    My two kitties had their first round of 3 in 1 distemper vaccine on May 5th, a week before I adopted them. They are 4.5 months old. The vets I spoke with on the phone advised that they be given a second, final, vaccine by next week. I’m worried about what I am reading on the Internet about sarcomas at injection sites, and so, I’d like opinions. They are strictly indoor cats with no chance of getting out. I am also considering nasal vaccines, but it may be hard to find someone who would provide that.

    #734894
    AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew
    Participant

    I have no idea, hopefully someone may have more experience with this….because of the late hour and it being a weekend, it may be a bit before anyone responds.

    #734895
    ecbrown
    Participant

    I did a good bit of reading about injection site tumors a while back when my Eko developed a lump at an injection site. (He is fine now….it was a reaction to an antibiotic which rarely turns cancerous.) From what I read rabies and feline leukemia vaccines are the most frequently associated with cancerous tumors. But there is a ton written out there so I’d encourage you to keep reading and studying the decision. Mine are 100% indoors but I definitely wanted them to get vaccinated with the rabies and distemper. Rabies, I believe, is required where I live (if not I’d want it anyways) and I believe the distemper includes protection against kitty colds which they could pick up at the vet’s office. Most vets give rabies in a back leg area so that if it did turn cancerous there is a chance they could remove the leg and save the cat.

    #734896
    Kit
    Participant

    You want to get your kitten their first full round of vaccinations at least, these are diseases that can kill young kitties so it’s more of a risk than cancer down the road. Out of all the cats I’ve known in my life (including many that lived to be 18-25 years old) only one I’ve known has had injection site cancer, and he’s fine. If you’re worried after this first round opt for the 3 year rabies from now on to cut down on the number of doses your kitty gets in their life time.

    #734897

    Most vets rotate the injections site. Mine puts in the records where she gives it. Indoor cats don’t need leukemia vaccines (all must be indoors only). Most states require rabies vacs so you don’t have a choice. I’ve had 15 cats in my life and none have gotten this type of cancer.

    #734898
    ladysky61
    Participant

    I would at least get the second round of Distemper because that’s a horrible disease and they could get it from a vet’s office or if they ever get out. Or if you ever have to board them. Rabies is required by law in most US states (if you are in the UK or Australia/NZ you don’t need it). Also if the cat gets bitten and it hasn’t been vaccinated against rabies most people recommend euthanasia! Because there is a really short window between a cat getting exposed to rabies and it getting rabies. If they don’t have any pre exposure protection, the cat is pretty much doomed. Also if the cat ever bites anyone and doesn’t have proof of rabies doctors will usually recommend the person get a round of post-rabies vaccinations just to be on the safe side. Even if it is strictly an indoor cat a rabid animal could get inside your home (bats especially!)

    #734899
    choyt11
    Participant

    because they are strictly indoor, my 3 get just the rabies, and get it once every 3 years…

    #734900
    Joan
    Participant

    Thank you so much, everybody. I’m going to go ahead and finish the kitten shots, and that’s it! I should have come here first before getting all bent out of shape by over-Googling!

    #734901
    Mo
    Participant

    Personally, I don’t vaccinate. Rabies is not much of a risk here. As for the other diseases that vaccines ‘protect’ against – I feel my cats immune systems are great because of what they are fed – and do not think they need vaccines when there are so much risks in giving them.

    One option you may want to check out is titer testing.

    #734902
    ailuromaniac
    Participant

    MO

    You might want to reconsider the rabies vaccine.

    http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/resources/publications/2010-surveillance/rabid-bats.html

    You can be certain that the actual population of infected wild animals that your cts could come into contact with is much higher than the reported cases

    #734903
    Joan
    Participant

    Thank you for the additional information. I was happy to find a vet today who explained to me that sicne my kittens were older when they received their 3 i 1 vaccine, that they would be fine and should have the booster next year. He also uses Pure Vac which seems to be safer, and he does house calls. MO, I would like to take your approach in keeping their immunity up, too! Any tips?

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