Thanks everyone for your viewpoints. It seems like there is some debate on this issue. I am not sure what to do! Does anyone have any documentation on this topic? I don't want Killian to get sick from the vaccines, but I don't want her to get rabies or distemper because she wasn't vaccinated! She is an indoor cat, but she can be very sneaky and has snuck out before when someone is leaving or the door is open. This hasn't happened very often, but it still makes me nervous. If anyone has documentation I would be very interested in reading it. Those that have vaccinated- have you had any negative effects? I am also worried that if I don't get her vaccinated she could catch something just be visiting the vets office!
Kathy
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
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...bot! h 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
