What Vaccines Does Your Cat Really Need?

A note from S.J. Francis: When I saw this article, I knew right away I had to share it and what you read here doesn't just apply to cats. Too many veterinarians prescribe annual vaccinations for all their pet patients whether they actually need them or not, which does cause more harm than good. FYI: Vaccinations work by stimulating a response. that is how they fight off diseases. Sometimes that is good. Other times that is bad. The chemical is filtered through their liver and kidneys.  Fact is, veterinary medicine in general and vet schools in particular are questioning that validity. Pets don't actually need annual vaccinations, especially if your cat stays inside and your dog is a house dog. 

After doing my own research and losing several pets to Cancer, I personally have stopped getting my pets annual vaccinations. I do still take them in for yearly check-ups and lab tests, which believe it or not, I have to fight for. It hasn't always been easy to skip yearly vaccinations, but I've done it. Moving around as I have, veterinarians don't know me and want to be in control. Besides, they make their money from administering vaccinations. But I do it. I find a veterinarian I can work with and go from there. I show them that I'm a responsible pet parent and that I know what is going on. Of course, being educated with some initials after my name does help, a bit, not always. Sometimes my education intimidates them. Currently, I have a great vet. He works with us. We get our animals yearly checkups with lab work ups, and vaccinations every three years. Of course, once they hit their senior years, the vaccinations start to go by the roadside. By then, their immune systems have been built up then the only shots I get for them are rabies, which is required by law, but even that one is every three years as required by Mississippi law. In fact, most state health departments only require your pet get a rabies vaccination and nothing else. If you're not sure, check with them. You can always look online as I did. You might be surprised that your veterinarian doesn't know best and your pet doesn't really need all those vaccinations you've been paying for and you may be causing more harm than help to your furry baby. I stopped the annual vaccination craze and I am so glad I did. I actually had one cat who after she had her vaccinations she had a bad skin reaction. A bald spot rose on her back between her shoulder blades and was clearly in discomfort. If not for benadyrl, it could have been worse. Of course, the vet didn't believe it even though I took photos. Except for rabies, I never subjected her to vaccinations again. She just died a year ago at the ripe age of 21 years and 7 months. The choice to get your pet annual vaccinations is up to you. I can't tell you what to do, except to say, research and then make the best choice for you and your pet. Just remember that not all veterinarians are interested in what is best for your pet. No one knows or cares more about your pet than you do. No one. I know. Some vets, I have found and if I let them would have vaccinated my pets with all kinds of vaccinations if I just let them. Fact is, veterinary medicine is similiar to human medicine in that it is all about money. Remember that and be a voice for your pets.

From PetPlace.com

The Irreverent Vet Speaks out on “What Vaccines Does Your Cat Really Need?”

• Written by: The Irreverent Veterinarian
• Published: May 20, 2014
• Last Modified: March 24, 2015

What vaccines does your cat really need?

This is a question commonly asked by cat lovers everywhere. Cat lovers want to do the right thing, protect their cat but at the same time minimize risk of problems to their cat and avoid unnecessary expenses.

In this article, I'd like to address this question. I'm the Irreverent Veterinarian. I give you my opinion and speak the truth regardless of if pet owners or other veterinarians like it or not.

The question that I'll address today is...What Vaccines to Cats Really Need?

Are Vaccines Safe?

Vaccines have a low rate of reactions but there are problems. Some of the problems can be life-threatening. For more information on this topic – please read this article: "The Irreverent Vet Speaks out on "Are Vaccines Safe?" Because there are issues with vaccine safety, it is ideal to give only what a cat really needs. I do not believe in OVER vaccinating.

What Vaccines do Cats Really Need?

This is the answer. It depends upon the age and risk factors of a cat. I'll tell you what I think and even tell you how I vaccinate my own cats.

Cats that are indoor only adult cats with minimal risk of exposure to infectious diseases have very little risk and should only receive infrequent vaccines. Cats that are indoor/outdoor or outdoor only with a high risk of various infectious diseases should have a totally different vaccine schedule. Kittens should receive a full set of vaccines to protect them against all the common diseases.

Vaccine Recommendations

Kittens – Kittens should receive immunity against some diseases through their mothers milk but this disappears during the first few months of their life. To protect kittens during this critical time, a well-researched approach is taken: A series of vaccines is given every 3 to 4 weeks until the chance of contracting an infectious disease is very low. The typical vaccine is a "combination" that protects against feline distemper virus, feline calicivirus and feline herpesvirus. Rabies vaccines are given between 16 and 26 weeks of age in most states (governed by law).

Many cats are also immunized against feline leukemia virus (especially if they are at risk for infection – such as they go outside). The usual approach is to test the kitten for feline leukemia at the time of initial vaccination to ensure the cat is not harboring the virus.

After initial vaccination, booster immunizations ("shots") are given during the first one or two years of "adult" life. If a cat is indoors only with no risk, this is generally not recommended.

Cats between 20 weeks and 2 years of age

If a kitten has had its initial vaccine series, it is recommended to booster the kitten shots in young adult cats to ensure adequate lifelong immunity against deadly viral diseases. Your veterinarian will likely "booster" your cat to protect against feline panleukopenia ("distemper"), the upper respiratory viruses (herpesvirus, calicivirus), rabies and possibly the leukemia virus. In addition, a rabies vaccine is recommended approximately 12 months from the initial vaccine.

For adult cats with no prior vaccines, two sets of vaccines given 3 to 4 weeks apart is recommended to achieve immunity.

Adult cats (over 2 years of age) that live indoor only (with no exposure to other cats outside of their home)

Annual revaccination (booster shots) is recommended the first two years after the "kitten shots"; thereafter, you should discuss the benefits and risks of annual vaccination with your veterinarian. There is no national accepted standard at this time. Because of the possible risks of vaccination – it becomes a balancing act of giving only what is needed while protecting your cat. Many veterinarians stagger booster immunizations over a number of years. The rabies vaccines should be given as recommended by local law.

Annual vaccination for feline leukemia is recommended for cats at risk of exposure.

Adult cats (over 2 years of age) that live outdoors or that go outdoors and have exposure to other cats

Cats at a higher risk of infection should have more frequent vaccines. In this situation, feline leukemia, feline aids, rabies vaccines (required by law) and the common feline distemper combination vaccine is recommended. The leukemia, feline aids and rabies are recommended yearly. The feline distemper combination may be adequate if given every 3 years. Annual vaccination for feline leukemia is recommended for cats at risk of exposure.

Another option to determine what vaccines your cat needs is to do vaccine titers.

Should You do Vaccine Titers?

A vaccine titer is a blood test that determines the presence of antibodies that develop in response to the vaccine. Since varying amounts of antibodies can be detected in different animals, titers are expressed in terms of ratios. Adequate levels of vaccine titers indicate that the pet does not need a booster vaccination at that time. Low titers indicate that vaccination will be necessary to provide immune protection. This is a method to determine if a cat needs vaccines.

Historically, the cost of doing this test is far greater than giving the vaccine and therefore most veterinarians and pet owners did not do them. However, with the increased risk of vaccine complications, this is a reasonable option.

How I Vaccinate My Cats?

This is what I do. I understand the needs, benefits, and risks of vaccines.

For indoor only cats with no risk of exposure to outside cats – they get a full set of kitten vaccines and booster when they are one year of age. They are vaccinated for rabies as required by law (yearly or every 3 years depending on the state/county law). I do the minimum required by law. Then they are vaccinated every 3 years. They have yearly examinations. After the age of 7 –they have yearly blood work as well (which has nothing to do with vaccination – but is a way for me to evaluate their overall health).

For indoor/outdoor or outdoor cats – they get a full set of kitten vaccines and booster when they are one year of age. They are also vaccinated for feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus yearly. They are vaccinated for rabies as required by law depending on the county/state law. They are then vaccinated for the feline distemper combination vaccine every 3 years. They also have yearly examinations. After the age of 7 –they have yearly blood work as well (which has nothing to do with vaccination – but is a way for me to evaluate their overall health and detect any subtle changes).

For my indoor only cats over the age of 10 – to be honest – I don't vaccinate them. I actually asked 5 other veterinarians with cats – how they deal with their own cats and they do the same.

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