Rachel I don’t think I suggested you are an anti-vaxxer, so I apologize if you took my comments that way. However, what I do suggest is caution and a healthy inquiring mind regarding interacting with people who are giving out faulty, unscientific advice about vaccines (and there are a lot of them, though their voices are far more muted now since the measles out break). I don’t think a vet who suggests spacing out vaccinations or one who measures titres are at all anit-vaccination. These are prudent measures to take and I agree that our animals likely hold their immunity, when vaccinated, a lot longer than a year (which is why measuring of titres makes sense – you are measuring the reactivity of the immune system to a particular antigen, to determine if the animal is still responsive to the introduction of the bacteria or viral antigen). However, my caution is to remind people that even with some problems with some vaccines, we shouldn’t respond by moving 180 degrees in the opposite direction. We should also not pay attention to those who call for a blanket rejection of vaccines. This is a dangerous strategy.
On one point, though, I want to make a comment. Vaccinations are not just about one person or one animal. Vaccinations are also for the good of the community. Those who DON’T vaccinate are only safe because they are cocooned inside a grouping of a whole lot of other people or animals, who had to take the risks – no matter how big or slight one perceives those to be – of being vaccinated. That is why many states, provinces, etc., have rules about what vaccines kids have to have before they can go to school. If your choice meant that your own child and only your own child was put at risk, that is one thing. But that is not the case. In the German measles outbreak that happened in Disney world, I seem to recall that several young children under the age of two, died and/or were left permanently damaged by the infection. Children under two cannot be vaccinated, so they truly must rely on the rest of us being vaccinated to keep the infection away from them. So while there are elements of personal choice, where an infection can spread to others in the community, I think that takes the issue out of solely being personal and elevates it to a community issue. The saying in law is along the lines of, “your rights end where mine begin”. However, I agree with you that you have far more flexibility with indoor cats, keeping in mind the proviso that Margo mentioned – that circumstances happen and our cats get out, with or without us meaning to have that happen. I also agree with you completely about the rabies vaccine, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they found that the immunity the animals garner, holds for a lot longer than three years. I think what you are describing your Tampa vet does, is prudent and makes a lot of sense. Amani From: Felvtalk [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Rachel Dagner Sent: June-09-16 3:05 PM To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>; Margo Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] different types of Felv Everyone has a choice in how they chose to proceed with their indoor FELV cats. I never said I was anti vaccine, I said I personally would not have given Tucker more vaccines if I had known then what I know now. He started having infections after he got them and our world went downhill from there, his immune system was already compromised and I wish I would not have added the extra stress to it. My choice. I said I am very concerned about the rabies vaccine for my tiny, older (inside and/or never out of my sight) dog since she has always had very bad reactions to them and now has a large lump on her side that will not go away, I am looking into my options, and will weigh them very carefully to decide what I feel comfortable with. My choice. Since we now know that there are several people on this list who along with their vets, might not choose to vaccinate their sick or elderly animals, and for obviously concerning reasons, I would hope you are not using the term anti-vaxxers to refer to myself or to them? In the event anyone is interested, I found an integrative vet in Tampa and it is a hike for me but she does not do vaccines all at once, she spaces them out, writes exemptions for pets that have had serious adverse reactions, or have serious illnesses where their heath could be compromised by vaccines, and will do the titer with one T test, for your piece of mind that your pet still has enough antibodies for protection, the test is not recognized as a replacement for the shot at least where I live, but at least it is something for me whether they recognize it or not. It would be nice to have her examine Daizy and talk with me about my options for rabies and see how she feels about giving them again when it is time. She also gives something called Lyssin 30c that she gives at the same time as the rabies vaccine to try to protect against the adverse side effects it can have. When I get a new kitty I will give her the vaccines that I think she needs which will be very few for an inside cat, and I will do it in the safest way it can possibly be done. I will give her the 3 year rabies as required, if she becomes ill for whatever reason and her immune system is compromised, or she has a serious reaction, I will weigh my options carefully again. And I will pray she is not one that develops cancer from it. And I will continue to hope that they discover that they can stretch it beyond 3 years, and that maybe like they discovered with the every year scenario that it wasn’t really necessary.
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