FVRCP vaccine

[cakemix]

My two male cats are about 6 yrs old. Indoor only with an occasional trip onto our second floor deck, but never alone we are always with them.
I find it odd that they only want to spend 5 minutes or less outdoors. They both prefer indoors.

They both got their 3 yr rabies and 1 year FVRCP vax last year. Vet said they need the FVRCP yearly because they are considered indoor/outdoor cats since they occasionally go out onto the deck.

I am questioning the yearly vax as well as labeling them as also outdoor cats.

I've been reading online and on here about opinions on the FVRCP in particular.

My gut tells me to not do yearly. Those of you who do the same, when do your cats get the vax if at all?

 

[FeebysOwner]

My cat was mainly indoors, but she spent time on our screened in patio, and the vet didn't consider her to be an indoor/outdoor cat. I suppose every vet is different...

I was 'late to the game' in stopping FVRCP, so I did it when she was 10yo - and, that was 10 years ago. Had I given any real thought to it before that, I probably would have stopped earlier. I also stopped the 3-year rabies 2 years later. Here in FL, it is at the discretion of the vet to recommend stoppage of the rabies, even though it is required by state law without the vet choosing to opt out.

 

[cakemix]

Why did you stop the FVRCP vaccines

 

[silent meowlook]

I wouldn’t vaccinate yearly for an adult cat. I would do every three years if at all.

 

[cakemix]

Thank you for your reply.
Is it because of tumors at the injection site- sarcoma? Also, in your opinion, why not at all?

 

[FeebysOwner]

Why did you stop the FVRCP vaccines... Is it because of tumors at the injection site- sarcoma?

There are thoughts that after so many of these vaccines, there is enough protection build up that they aren't needed yearly, or anymore, especially in cats that are mainly indoors. The potential for injection site sarcoma exists, but that was just an added 'benefit' of preventing them, when stopping the vaccines.

 

[cakemix]

Thank you for your reply
My two cats one black one white

 

[di and bob]

I stopped doing yearly vaccines too, they have enough built up in their immune systems to last at least 3 years. I would redo vaccines every 3-4 years. Feral cats only get vaccines once and do pretty good. Most don't live that long though, sadly. My cats don't get them at all now because they have leukemia. i don't bring them in at all unless I absolutely have to. Too many viruses and bacteria in a vet's office. I even leave them in the car until they are called.
This doesn't mean to skip vaccines entirely though! Kittens and young cats are very suseptible to pick up something bad. Their immune systems are immature too. i would do yearly until about age 4-5 then slack off a little. Years ago we had distemper sweep through our unvaccinated feral cats, at least 15 cats died, and about that many kittens. The ONLY ones that lived were the ones who had vaccines once. i was scared to death fro my house cats too, they hadn't been vaccinated in two years, the vet came to our house and vaccinated during this time. They all were OK. Panleukopenia, distemper, is SO contagious, SO easy to spread, and lives for SO long, it is especially dangerous. I recommend the leukemia vaccine too since my cats have been through this. Rabies not so much if they never get out.

 

[silent meowlook]

I vaccinate when they are kittens. I don’t after they are adults because the risk of exposure is basically none in my situation. It would be different if they were exposed to other cats. Also to reduce the risk of VSS.

 

[di and bob]

The problem is that you could walk through a place a sick cat with distemper had been, get the virus on your shoes and bring it home to your cat. Distemper is horribly contagious. It is a horrible death too.
The virus can live for years on a surface and can be spread by touch.

 

[FeebysOwner]

The problem is that you could walk through a place a sick cat with distemper had been, get the virus on your shoes and bring it home to your cat. Distemper is horribly contagious. It is a horrible death too. The virus can live for years on a surface and can be spread by touch.

I guess I would wonder how likely this is for the 'average' person, especially if they are not dealing with ferals or spending time in a cattery/shelter. I mean, we have some strays/ferals in our area, and I am sure I crossed paths with places they have been. Maybe, I was just 'lucky.

 

[di and bob]

I am sure it’s not real common. But it can and does happen. All I know is that if my cats hadn’t been vaccinated they most likely would have died. Like the over 25 cats that did. It was very traumatic. Feral cats can be anywhere, any parking lot, etc. it’s just a matter of chance it all happening, for everything lining up. For me it happened. That once in 50 years was enough…..

 

[silent meowlook]

True, viruses can be transmitted via clothing. In California back in 2007 or sometime around then, there was a deadly strain of Calicivirus that affected adult cats and was not covered with the regular FVRCP vaccine. It spread from shelter to shelter with devastating results. It was finally tracked down to one volunteer that was traveling between the shelters.

This is why I say my situation is fairly unique. I work at a vet, do I leave my clothes in the garage, including shoes. I don’t see my cats until I am fully decontaminated. If my cats got outside for some reason, it is such a remote and deadly area for a cat, I would never get them back again.

 

[cakemix]

I vaccinate when they are kittens. I don’t after they are adults because the risk of exposure is basically none in my situation. It would be different if they were exposed to other cats. Also to reduce the risk of VSS.

What is VSS?

 

[FeebysOwner]

What is VSS?

Vaccine Site Sarcoma.

 

[cakemix]

Vaccine Site Sarcoma.

Oh yes, one of sweet cats had this. I miss her.

 

[GoldyCat]

I’ll do the kitten shots and 1 year, I’ve stopped getting yearly vaccines for all my cats
After that. I have titers checked instead. It’s more expensive than the vaccines, but it prevents over vaccination. In the last 10 years I’ve only had one cat who needed a vaccine because his titer was on the low edge of being covered.

 

[FeralHearts]

Does anyone have the articles / science based info I can provide to my furkids doctor regarding the FVRCP vaccines and the link the kidney disease?

She was curious - as am I.

Sadly for me I lost 2 this last 14 months. I have two at home now. One, Charlie found in a ditch as a bay and has been inside ever since and WL who was brought inside nearly at 6 years old due to an emergency with her. Neither go outside.

Both get Rabies - that the law and nothing I can do about that - I've tried.
They are get the leukemia and FVRCP vaccines. FVRCP every 3 years.

The only reason I stuck with the other two was because of 1. Multiple cats and 2. When all the outside feral were brought in snaps tests were done for FIV etc all negative - of course I have since learned that snap tests can be wrong so I've kept the shots up out of precaution.

Their lovely doc said I could probably drop the leukemia one. I chose not to at the time because of the possibility of the snap test being wrong.

Anyone have any thought on dropping them in their case?