Adult cats do not need FELV vaccines. The only exception to that would be if you KNEW the cat was going to be living in a household with FELV+ cats, and even then, it's not required, just recommended. Healthy adult cats develop natural immunity. Adult cats with unknown histories should get a FVRCP vaccine (that's a combination of herpesvirus [also known as rhinotracheitis], calicivirus, and panleukopenia). I, personally, do not think there is any benefit in booster vaccines, and many sources will also say that boosters are over used and not effective in adult cats.
UC Davis school of veterinary medicine's feline vaccine recommendations: The UC Davis VMTH vaccination guidelines below have been based on recently published studies and recommendations made by task forces (including the AAFP/AFM Advisory Panel on Feline Vaccines, AAHA Canine Vaccine Task Force, and the AVMA Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents), which include representatives from academia, private practices, governmental regulatory bodies, and industry. These groups have evaluated the benefits versus risks of the vaccines currently available on the market. Because these factors may change over time, we recommend the vaccination plan for each individual pet be decided by the owner at routine annual examinations, following a discussion between the veterinarian and the client regarding the animal's lifestyle in the year ahead. Guidelines for vaccination in shelter situations can be accessed at the Center for Companion Animal Health's shelter medicine website. A previous history of vaccination reactions in an individual pet, and certain physiologic conditions such as pregnancy will also affect recommendations for vaccination. For all vaccines given, the product, expiration date, lot number, route and location of injection is documented in the record. Feline Core Vaccines, The definitions of core and non-core vaccines described in the canine vaccination guidelines above also apply to the feline vaccines. The core feline vaccines are those for feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV1), feline calicivirus (FCV), feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) and rabies. : Feline Herpesvirus 1, Feline Calicivirus and Feline Panleukopenia Virus Vaccines - For initial kitten vaccination (< 16 weeks), one dose of parenteral vaccine containing modified live virus (MLV) FHV1, FCV, and FPV is recommended at 6-8 weeks, 9-11 weeks, and 12-16 weeks of age. For cats older than 16 weeks of age, one dose of vaccine containing modified live virus (MLV) FHV1, FCV, and FPV is recommended. After a booster at one year, revaccination is suggested every 3 years thereafter for cats at low risk of exposure. According to recommendations of the vaccine-associated sarcoma task force, these vaccines are administered over the right shoulder. Note that recommendations for killed and intranasal FHV1 and FCV vaccines are different from the above. Killed and intranasal varieties of these vaccines are not routinely used at the VMTH. The use of FPV MLV vaccines should be avoided in pregnant queens and kittens less than one month of age. Feline Rabies Virus Vaccines - Cats are important in the epidemiology of rabies in the US. In general we recommend that kittens receive a single dose of killed or recombinant rabies vaccine at 12-16 weeks of age. Adult cats with unknown vaccination history should also receive a single dose of killed or recombinant rabies vaccine. For the recombinant vaccines, boosters are recommended at yearly intervals. We currently stock and suggest the use of the recombinant rabies vaccine, as it is theoretically less likely to be associated with sarcoma formation. For the killed rabies vaccines, a booster is required at one year, and thereafter, rabies vaccination should be performed every 3 years using a vaccine approved for 3-year administration. According to recommendations of the vaccine-associated sarcoma task force, rabies vaccines are administered subcutaneously as distally as possible in the right rear limb. Feline Non-Core Vaccines, Optional or non-core vaccines for cats consist of the vaccines for feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus, feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), Chlamydophila felis, Bordetella bronchiseptica, and Giardia spp. : Feline Leukemia Virus Vaccine - A number of FeLV vaccines are available on the market, and many have reasonable efficacy. We suggest vaccination of FeLV-negative cats allowed to go outdoors or cats having direct contact with other cats of unknown FeLV status. Vaccination is most likely to be useful in kittens and young adult cats, because acquired resistance to infection develops beyond 16 weeks of age. Vaccination is not recommended for FeLV-positive cats and indoor cats with no likelihood of exposure to FeLV, especially for cats older than 16 weeks of age. We currently stock and suggest the use of the recombinant transdermal FeLV vaccine, although there is no evidence as yet that it is associated with a decreased risk of sarcoma formation. Initially, two doses of vaccine are given at 2-4 week intervals, after which annual boosters are recommended. According to recommendations of the vaccine-associated sarcoma task force, parenteral FeLV vaccines are administered subcutaneously as distally as possible in the left rear limb. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Vaccine - The FIV vaccine is an inactivated, adjuvanted dual subtype vaccine that was released in July 2002. Unfortunately, vaccination of FIV-negative cats renders currently available serologic tests (ELISA and Western blot) positive, and information regarding sensitivity and specificity of alternative polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based tests is currently unknown. These PCR tests have yet to be standardized, and quality control may be problematic. Previous vaccination does not rule out infection, and the significance of a positive test result in a vaccinated cat cannot be assessed. Questions remain regarding the vaccine's ability to protect against all of the FIV subtypes and strains to which cats might be exposed. Therefore, the decision regarding whether to use this vaccine is not straightforward, and the risks and benefits of the use of this vaccine should be carefully discussed with owners prior to using the vaccine in cats at risk of exposure. The UC Davis VMTH pharmacy does not stock this vaccine, and its routine use in indoor cats is not recommended. Feline Infectious Peritonitis Vaccine - The FIP vaccine is an intranasal modified live virus product. The efficacy of this vaccine is controversial, and duration of immunity is short. Although exposure to feline coronaviruses in the cat population is high, the incidence of FIP is very low, especially in single-cat households (where it is 1 in 5000). Most cats in cattery situations where FIP is a problem become infected with coronaviruses prior to 16 weeks of age, which is the age at which vaccination is first recommended. Vaccination could be considered for seronegative cats entering a cattery where FIP is common. We do not routinely recommend vaccinating household cats with the FIP vaccine, and the vaccine is not stocked by our pharmacy. Feline Chlamydophila felis Vaccine - Chlamydophila felis causes conjunctivitis in cats that generally respond readily to antimicrobial treatment. Immunity induced by vaccination is probably of short duration and the vaccine provides only incomplete protection. The use of this vaccine could be considered for cats entering a population of cats where infection is known to be endemic. However, the vaccine has been associated with adverse reactions in 3% of vaccinated cats, and we do not recommend routine vaccination of low-risk cats with this vaccine. The Chlamydophila felis vaccine is therefore not stocked by the VMTH pharmacy. Feline Bordetella bronchiseptica Vaccine - This is a modified live intranasal vaccine. Bordetella bronchiseptica is primarily a problem of very young kittens, where it can cause severe lower respiratory tract disease. It appears to be uncommon in adult cats and pet cats in general, and should respond readily to antibiotics in these older cats. For these reasons, the UC Davis VMTH does not recommend routine vaccination of pet cats for Bordetella bronchiseptica. The vaccine could be considered for young cats at high risk of exposure in large, multiple cat environments. The UC Davis VMTH pharmacy does not stock this vaccine. Feline Giardia Vaccine - A killed Giardia vaccine has been marketed for use in cats. This vaccine has the same limitations as those listed above for canine giardiasis, and has the additional potential to induce vaccine-associated sarcomas. We currently do not recommend routine use of this vaccine in pet cats. The UC Davis VMTH pharmacy does not stock this vaccine. An Important Message Concerning Vaccinations: Vaccines can and do lead to CANCER in cats! The specific form of cancer associated with the FELV and RABIES vaccine is called Vaccine Associated FibroSarcoma (VAS). Sources quote the risk of VAS is from 1 in every 1,000 to 1 in every 20,000 cats vaccinated (the risks are HUGE, regardless of source). Vaccines containing adjuvant, a component to stimulate the immune system, are at least 5 times more likely to cause a VAS. Adjuvanted vaccines have been demonstrated to induce mutation in cell cultures. Adjuvanted Rabies, Distemper and Feline Leukemia vaccines have been classified as Class II carcinogens by the World Health Organization! VAS is 100% fatal if the tumor is between the shoulder blades. With surgical removal, radiation therapy and chemotherapy survival time is less than 3 years. If the tumor is in the distal part of the rear leg, amputation, plus radiation, & chemo may be curative in 20% of cases. Non-adjuvanted vaccines are available for cats for all preventable diseases including Rabies, Distemper, Rhinotracheitis, Calici virus and Feline Leukemia, and are considered safer. Over 22,000 cats in the U.S. die from VAS every year, many from vaccinations they did not even need. I absolutely DO NOT give my cats FELV vaccines (I did before I read all about them and the risks, and before I learned that they are pointless in adult cats). I also limit the Rabies to once every 3 years (or longer, to be honest), and only give herpesvirus 1 (FHV1, also known as Rhinotracheitis), feline calicivirus (FCV), feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) to KITTENS, once at 10 weeks and once more at 5 months of age. "Booster vaccines" or annual re-administration of modified live virus vaccines do not provide added protection. In previously vaccinated adult animals the antibodies from previous vaccinations block the new vaccine. Antibody levels are not increased, memory cells are not increased. Note that you MUST be sure your vet does not give your cat a 4 in 1 or 5 in 1 vaccine that contains Chlamydophila felis (also known as Chlamydia psittaci)! Some vets will give a "combo vaccine" that contains this, and it is NOT a recommended vaccine in cats (it is very rare, and the vaccine only provides a month of protection, and the side effects are severe and as high as 3%)! Some "combo" vaccines also contain FELV. Not recommended either, the FELV vaccine, if given at all, should ALWAYS be given ALONE, on the outside of a lower rear leg. Which brings us back to the FELV vaccine... Healthy cats develop a NATURAL immunity against the FELV virus at about a year of age. Cats over one year of age are naturally 89% immune to FeLV (age related resistance) whether they are vaccinated or not. IN addition, the FELV vaccine only has a 75-85% efficacy rate (and this may be partially due to natural immunity already developed before the vaccine was even given). Please, read both sides of the debate, here is a link that shows both sides: http://www.petresource.com/Articles%20of%20Interest/vaccine_debate.htm And more info: http://www.mcbfa.org/antibody_titers_vs.html And, here's a few convincing webpages on the anti-vaccine side (where I stand, for the most part. I believe in vaccines to an extent, but strongly oppose boosters and non-core vaccines): http://www.truthaboutvaccines.org/ http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/petvacc.htm http://www.vaccinetruth.org/ The important thing is to EDUCATE yourself, and come to YOUR OWN educated conclusion. NEVER trust someone else's opinion, you have to make decisions for your animals the best YOU can. There are literally thousands of webpage on the subject out there, go to http://google.com and search for "vaccine debate", "over-vaccinating pets", "new vaccination protocols", and "Vaccine Associated Sarcoma". Phaewryn Hi guys, Do adult cats with unknown histories who come into rescue need one FELV inoculation or two? (one plus booster). I know distemper vaccines need to be boostered in kittens, what about FELV?
