Dear Karolyn: Does it really do any good (and no harm) to give vaccines to a cat whose immune system is compromised?? There is a lot of current info suggesting that it is not wise to give vaccines of any kind to a cat who is FeLV+. Have any studies ever been done to demonstrate that vaccines do have a protective effect for immunosuppressed cats? Multivalent vaccines are not recommended for even healthy cats, but I have not seen a vaccine for just Panleukopenia available in any of the vet supply cataloges or web sites. That is the only virus the 3-way is supposed to protect against that is truly life-threatening.
My first FeLV+, Purrsia, came down with Panleukopenia at 10 wks. a few days after I rescued her, before she could be vaccinated for anything. At that time she tested negative for FeLV and FIV. Since she had recovered from the P virus, there was no point in vaccinating her for that after the fact. But her playmate, Angel Eyes, was subsequently vaccinated with a 3-way before I found out she was FeLV+. I will always wonder if that vaccine had a negative effect on her immune system. Angel became symptomatic for FeLV and tested positive two weeks after Purrsia passed...for the next 8 months it seemed she might be one of the lucky ones who can live with the virus long-term, then the day after Xmas '03 she crashed and 14 days later was gone, just shy of 16 mos. I agree that Panleukopenia is a nasty disease and so much more easily spread than FeLV or FIV. Miraculously, I was able to successfully nurse my brave little Purrsia through it after the vet gave her virtually no chance to survive unless I hospitalized her, but I could not afford to do that. I think the fact I had started her immediately on Animal Stress Pack with Transfer Factors (from 4Life Products and available from KV Vet Supply) at the first sign of a temp helped to stem the tide as the characteristic horrendous diarrhea never digressed to being hemmoraghic in her case. The key seems to be keeping more fluids and nutrition going in than is coming out and it took round the clock syringe feeding, subQ fluids and meds to ward off opportunistic infections. It can take small kittens out in a matter of hours and is an agonizing way for a cat to die. Since Panleukopenia is a corona virus (related to the canine parvovirus), the factor of viral load comes into play and so multi-cat households or catteries are more at risk of being infected. And that would also apply to feral colonies where they may be many unvaccinated cats. Kittens and very old cats are most at risk, of course. I currently have three FeLV+ cats among 19. Two of them are just over a year old and had been doing fine until just recently...both are now developing the tell-tale gingivitis. Neither of them has had any vaccines. The third kitten tested positive at 6 weeks...he is just 12 weeks now and needs to be retested. He has not been vaccinated, either. I do keep the positives separated from the rest of my cats, and leave my rubber boots that I wear to the horse stable outside. When I go out wearing shoes, I spray the soles with bleach spray when I get back and do not usually wear shoes in the house. I do worry, and wonder which represents a greater risk, vaccines for a positive cat, or the chance I will bring something pathogenic home. Sally in San Jose
