Cat vax??

[jennlyn]

We got a rescue kitty about 8 months ago.  She had her first set of shots a year ago so is due for them.  I am not a big fan of vax for humans, so can anyone give me some input about what is really necessary for an indoor only cat?  My friend's cat developed a sarcoma at the injection site, they took it's leg off and the poor thing died after the operation. Hoping to avoid that kind of scenario later on down the line.  I have her original vet bill and she had a rabies, distemper and feline leukemia vax before we got her.  First time cat  owner here and we spoil her silly :)

[stardogs]

http://www.lantanaatlantis.com/images/Checkup/VaccinationRecommendationsCats.pdf

The above document includes info on recommended vaccines for cats.

http://www.avma.org/vafstf/rbbroch.asp

The article in the link above does talk a bit about frequency.

[sapphos]

we don't bother to vacc out indoor cats anymore. They used to get them infrequently because I was a broke grad student but the last times they got them were going to Argentina and a year later returning to the States. That was four years ago and since then we've become ever more holistic in our furry family member choices as well. Try googling vaccinosis and you'll find a lot of info on the subject. The more I've learned about felines and vaccinations, the more I feel my cat who lived to be 19 had vaccine induced nuero problems that started after a set of vaccines she received later in life. 

Also, there is an excellent book on homeopathic pet care but can't think of the name. The author is a traditional turned holistic vet. He discusses how 20 years ago we didnt' see all the cat problems we see now, particularly auto-immune diseases, because cats weren't on the radar as "house" pets but once they became popular then the vaccinations started and so did so many auto-immune problems. 

[lonegirl]

Originally Posted by jennlyn 

We got a rescue kitty about 8 months ago.  She had her first set of shots a year ago so is due for them.  I am not a big fan of vax for humans, so can anyone give me some input about what is really necessary for an indoor only cat?  My friend's cat developed a sarcoma at the injection site, they took it's leg off and the poor thing died after the operation. Hoping to avoid that kind of scenario later on down the line.  I have her original vet bill and she had a rabies, distemper and feline leukemia vax before we got her.  First time cat  owner here and we spoil her silly :)

Just wanted to say....the cases of sarcomas were due to the Feline Leukemia vaccine.  This is why in the indoor cat vaccines we do not include  feleuk.  In 14+ years I think I have seen 1 maybe 2 cases of vaccine induced sarcomas.  For outdoor cats it is a good one to have though as it is known as a fight and bite disease. 

BTW in some areas Rabies vaccine is required by law for all pets. 

[Ola_]

Well keep in mind that we have dogs and no cats, but we only do the rabies vaccine at this point.  For a puppy I'd probably do some others at first but not after that.  Certainly I think that any annual shots are overkill for most pets, never mind ones that stay in the house all the time.  BTW our province accepts the 3 year rabies so that is what we choose (even though not all vet clinics carry it here so I had to call around) because it's essentially the same vaccine and reduces the frequency needed.

[karaleigh]

As long as you don't have any vaccines that are required by law, and you don't have any other pets (like dogs) that go in and outside, then there is no reason to vaccinate your cat as long as it is strictly indoor only.  Our cat is indoor only and has no contact with any other animals, so we don't bother vaccinating her.  There really is no need. 

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I got my indoor only cats the rabies vax only because the vet wouldnt spay them without it. I never got them vaxed for anything else. Stimpy lived to be 16yo without any health issues.

[jennlyn]

By law, we have to get the rabies vax, I already received a notice from the county.  Someone mentioned a distemper shot in case the cat is ever in the vet's overnight around other cats or if she got out and was in a shelter.  How likely is it that she could contract distemper in that kind of environment? 

[mattemma04]

I have never vaccinated my current cats.I did vax older cats and they were ill after vaccines,some developed lumps around face. I treat the cats on my own.Vets will hassle about vaccines.Did for my dogs.Just do what you feel is best.Ask for the vaccine insert.There is no legal recourse if you pet becomes ill after vaccines.You will need to treat complications/adverse events on your own.

[*Dawn*]

Originally Posted by karaleigh 

As long as you don't have any vaccines that are required by law, and you don't have any other pets (like dogs) that go in and outside, then there is no reason to vaccinate your cat as long as it is strictly indoor only.  Our cat is indoor only and has no contact with any other animals, so we don't bother vaccinating her.  There really is no need. 

[Otto]

Originally Posted by jennlyn 

By law, we have to get the rabies vax, I already received a notice from the county.  Someone mentioned a distemper shot in case the cat is ever in the vet's overnight around other cats or if she got out and was in a shelter.  How likely is it that she could contract distemper in that kind of environment? 

It's hard to say. FPV does have a persistent fomite vector, so there's a question of how intake/quarantine are handled and, in the case of shelters, whether there are enough hands on deck to really disinfect the kennels.

[Mittsy]

My kitty is only getting her first 2 Feline Distemper shots, then her yearly Rabies. She's a 100% indoor kitten so that's all she needs.

[plantnerd]

My indoor cats get rabies, distemper, and leukemia.  I always worry that if I pick up some poor little waif and bring it home it could infect my cats.  Better safe than sorry IMO.