What does every one think to yearly vaccinations for indoor cats
I used to think vaccinations for cats were like humna vaccines: very safe and important to reduce chance of disease.
Turns out it's not as simple as that. Vaccines are important, especially rabies and distemper (aka panoleukemia, included in the FVRCP), but how frequently they should be administered is the question. For some reason, cats, unlike humans, can be prone to injection site sarcomas, so it might be safer to do a titer test before administering boosters.
It's a complicated subject that I'm still trying to understand myself. I've read through Dr. Pierson's article dozens of times, and that's where I start whenever I need info on the topic: Vaccines for Cats: We Need to Stop Overvaccinating
My first dog was like that. Everyone said that's not possible, but even as first-time dog owners, we could see it. She would get super weird after a rabies vaccine, and it would last for months. Fortunately that vet approved of a 3-year schedule, and we didn't vaccinate her at all after she was 7, so she didn't have to get weird too often. She was a genetic wreck anyway, but yeah. I wouldn't consider it possible if I hadn't seen it. None of my other dogs have had that problem, thankfully.One of our dogs had a severe personality/temperament change within days after a rabies vaccine.
I'm glad we're not the only ones. It was so sad seeing this outgoing, confident, bright happy dog turn into this shyer, fearful thing that just didn't seem as happy because life was scary. I'd expect that in a pup going through some weird mental changes ("fear periods") but a 3 year old dog is an adult and should be stable (in temperament) at that age. We still trained (he LOVED to train) and did a few things now and again, but the training building isn't the same as real life work or a traial situation. Basically he was retired at an early age. Pissed me off as he had a lot of potential.My first dog was like that. Everyone said that's not possible, but even as first-time dog owners, we could see it. She would get super weird after a rabies vaccine, and it would last for months. Fortunately that vet approved of a 3-year schedule, and we didn't vaccinate her at all after she was 7, so she didn't have to get weird too often. She was a genetic wreck anyway, but yeah. I wouldn't consider it possible if I hadn't seen it. None of my other dogs have had that problem, thankfully.
Anyway, yeah, a 3-year schedule is fine, less often for indoor-only cats. The vaccines confer immunity for a good long time, although they haven't yet sorted out exactly how long.
I feel that this article preys too much on owners’ fear and misinterprets statistics.Here is a helpful TCS article which discusses whether in-door only cats should get the rabies vaccine:
Do Indoor-only Cats Need Rabies Shots?
Willowy, I am just super curious...why do you say your dog was a genetic wreck? Does that mean inbred?My first dog was like that. Everyone said that's not possible, but even as first-time dog owners, we could see it. She would get super weird after a rabies vaccine, and it would last for months. Fortunately that vet approved of a 3-year schedule, and we didn't vaccinate her at all after she was 7, so she didn't have to get weird too often. She was a genetic wreck anyway, but yeah. I wouldn't consider it possible if I hadn't seen it. None of my other dogs have had that problem, thankfully.
Anyway, yeah, a 3-year schedule is fine, less often for indoor-only cats. The vaccines confer immunity for a good long time, although they haven't yet sorted out exactly how long.
This is exactly what I was concerned about , I do not want go over vaccinate my cats especially as indoors in uk, I've always had indoor cats none of which have ever got out to contract anything, they have just had their yearly booster so I'm thinking to do it every three years each. ThankyouI don’t do booster vaccinations. New research is coming out to show that vaccines last for up to 8 years in dogs’ systems.
I feel that this article preys too much on owners’ fear and misinterprets statistics.
Not saying that rabies vaccines are unnecessary, but I believe that there are lots of cases where cats are vaccinated unnecessarily.
Depending on where you live, it may not even make sense to get an initial rabies vaccine. Rabies has a very minimal risk in many parts of the world. But in some States it is the law to get the vaccine. You just have to be aware of the risk and law in your area.This is exactly what I was concerned about , I do not want go over vaccinate my cats especially as indoors in uk, I've always had indoor cats none of which have ever got out to contract anything, they have just had their yearly booster so I'm thinking to do it every three years each. Thankyou
That's right none of my cats have ever had a leukaemia vaccination thanks AzazelloAzazelloDepending on where you live, it may not even make sense to get an initial rabies vaccine. Rabies has a very minimal risk in many parts of the world. But in some States it is the law to get the vaccine. You just have to be aware of the risk and law in your area.
If it’s indoor only I wouldn’t do a leukaemia vaccine at all. I would just do the intitial 2 or 3 rounds of FVRCP when they are young.
AzazelThat's right none of my cats have ever had a leukaemia vaccination thanks AzazelloAzazello