Talk Cancer » Leukemia » Feline Leukemia vaccine–no longer recommended?
Feline Leukemia vaccine–no longer recommended?
Question:
Probably because FVRCP is now a triannual vaccine. Depending on your State, Rabies is also a three-year vaccination. FeLV remains yearly.
Rabies is required annually here (Texas). I don’t know what was up with the FeLV but since my cats are indoors only and never around other cats, I guess they would have advised against it anyway. — Senior Network Specialist Rice University Networking & Telecommunications This message is my personal opinion. I don’t speak for Rice.
Response:
In article
You did not "inflict" anything on them, other than protection from fatal disease. The risks, as I mention, are 1-3 in 10,000, but only for FeLV and Rabies vaccine. I have not seen a documented report of VAS caused by FVRCP vaccines. If your cats are indoor/outdoor, FeLV Really? I just had my cats in for their annuals and the vet recommended against FVRCP for my indoor-only cats, and I thought that VAS was the reason.
Probably because FVRCP is now a triannual vaccine. Depending on your State, Rabies is also a three-year vaccination. FeLV remains yearly. Phil She didn’t recommend against rabies (so – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – that’s what the cats got, just rabies) although I think in the past they had suggested going to every other year for rabies. Perhaps they don’t feel comfortable recommending against something that is required by law. She didn’t even mention FeLV. The tech had prepared 2 syringes, one of which must have been the FVRCP which they didn’t use, and the other the rabies, so I don’t know what the deal is with FeLV. They’ve had it in the past — is it now an every-three-year or something? — Senior Network Specialist Rice University Networking & Telecommunications This message is my personal opinion. I don’t speak for Rice.
Response:
You did not "inflict" anything on them, other than protection from fatal disease. The risks, as I mention, are 1-3 in 10,000, but only for FeLV and Rabies vaccine. I have not seen a documented report of VAS caused by FVRCP vaccines. If your cats are indoor/outdoor, FeLV
Really? I just had my cats in for their annuals and the vet recommended against FVRCP for my indoor-only cats, and I thought that VAS was the reason. She didn’t recommend against rabies (so that’s what the cats got, just rabies) although I think in the past they had suggested going to every other year for rabies. Perhaps they don’t feel comfortable recommending against something that is required by law. She didn’t even mention FeLV. The tech had prepared 2 syringes, one of which must have been the FVRCP which they didn’t use, and the other the rabies, so I don’t know what the deal is with FeLV. They’ve had it in the past — is it now an every-three-year or something? — Senior Network Specialist Rice University Networking & Telecommunications This message is my personal opinion. I don’t speak for Rice.
Response:
I think (may be wrong) that rabies vaccines were attenuated virus, which means the virus has to be cultured. That may not be true any longer, in which case, my hypothesis is way off base. However, if it is, I find myself wondering if there is an oncogenic contaminant brought along in those cultures that may function as a co-factor in some cases to cause these vaccine-related fibrosarcomas.
Hi Laura, Only inactivated (killed-virus) rabies vaccines are specifically licensed for use in cats. Cats vaccinated with an MLV (attenuated) vaccine intended for dogs have actually developed rabies. FeLV vaccines are killed-virus, also. There’s a special Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force headed up by Cornell which has been trying to find the cause of VASs, but so far, there doesn’t seem to be any consistencies to definitively link either antigens or adjuvants with VAS development. May be host-related (?) – certain cats’ immune response putting a unique spin on the antigen or adjuvant or both (?) – may account for the lack of consistencies. Aluminum was found in a VAS, but whether or not this stimulated an inflammatory or oncogenic process which led to tumor development has not been determined. Sorry I can’t give you better answer. This problem has been confounding researchers for years. Phil. — "Cats are a great warm-up to a successful marriage; they teach you your place in the household". –Paul Gallaco Feline Healthcare: http://maxshouse.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Phil, In responding to primadonna about FeLV vaccines etc., you wrote 1 – 3 in 10,000, but these types (VAS [Vaccine-Associated Sarcomas]) of tumors are only associated with Rabies and FeLV vaccines. I think more so with Rabies than FeLV. Increased reports began after PA enacted mandatory Rabies vaccinations and other States followed suit. I don’t believe the antigen is responsible, but rather the adjuvants which are added to killed-virus vaccines to stimulate an immunologic response. Aluminum, which is used in certain adjuvants, has been isolated in some VAS. Whether or not aluminum is a causative factor is still unknown. I snipped a lot to save time. I have a question for you, which occurred after I was reading about viral contaminants in human vaccines. I also buy into the adjuvant hypothesis regarding VAS in some animals – it makes sense. However, have you or any of your sources of information raised the issue of how the rabies and FeLV vaccines are made? I think (may be wrong) that rabies vaccines were attenuated virus, which means the virus has to be cultured. That may not be true any longer, in which case, my hypothesis is way off base. However, if it is, I find myself wondering if there is an oncogenic contaminant brought along in those cultures that may function as a co-factor in some cases to cause these vaccine-related fibrosarcomas. I don’t know about FeLV – for awhile, at least, I thought they were making a recombinant vaccine. Hope you have some info, but if not, I will see if I can find anything. I think your veterinary research resources are better than mine, however. Thanks, Laura Phil — "Cat people are different, to the extent that they generally are not conformists. How could the be, with a cat running their lives?" –Louis Camuti Feline Healthcare: http://maxshouse.com Before you buy. Before you buy.
Response:
Phil, In responding to primadonna about FeLV vaccines etc., you wrote 1 – 3 in 10,000, but these types (VAS [Vaccine-Associated Sarcomas]) of tumors are only associated with Rabies and FeLV vaccines. I think more so with Rabies than FeLV. Increased reports began after PA enacted mandatory Rabies vaccinations and other States followed suit. I don’t believe the antigen is responsible, but rather the adjuvants which are added to killed-virus vaccines to stimulate an immunologic response. Aluminum, which is used in certain adjuvants, has been isolated in some VAS. Whether or not aluminum is a causative factor is still unknown.
I snipped a lot to save time. I have a question for you, which occurred after I was reading about viral contaminants in human vaccines. I also buy into the adjuvant hypothesis regarding VAS in some animals – it makes sense. However, have you or any of your sources of information raised the issue of how the rabies and FeLV vaccines are made? I think (may be wrong) that rabies vaccines were attenuated virus, which means the virus has to be cultured. That may not be true any longer, in which case, my hypothesis is way off base. However, if it is, I find myself wondering if there is an oncogenic contaminant brought along in those cultures that may function as a co-factor in some cases to cause these vaccine-related fibrosarcomas. I don’t know about FeLV – for awhile, at least, I thought they were making a recombinant vaccine. Hope you have some info, but if not, I will see if I can find anything. I think your veterinary research resources are better than mine, however. Thanks, Laura – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Phil — "Cat people are different, to the extent that they generally are not conformists. How could the be, with a cat running their lives?" –Louis Camuti Feline Healthcare: http://maxshouse.com Before you buy.
Before you buy.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I would be grateful for some clarification here, since my vet gives Leucogen vaccinations annually by injection into the back of the neck, and I have heard nothing about tumours related to this vaccine. I live in the UK. — Primadonna But could someone please tell me about the tumours that this vaccination apparently causes? Has this been very frequently reported? 1 – 3 in 10,000, but these types (VAS [Vaccine-Associated Sarcomas]) of tumors are only associated with Rabies and FeLV vaccines. I think more so with Rabies than FeLV. Increased reports began after PA enacted mandatory Rabies vaccinations and other States followed suit. I don’t believe the antigen is responsible, but rather the adjuvants which are added to killed-virus vaccines to stimulate an immunologic response. Aluminum, which is used in certain adjuvants, has been isolated in some VAS. Whether or not aluminum is a causative factor is still unknown. Vaccine-site reactions must be distinguished from VAS, they are not the same thing. Benign local reactions are common in cats and are characterized by apparent pain or swelling at the injection site. Signs of stinging or discomfort at the vaccination site are generally associated with excessively high or low pH or osmolarity. Localized swelling at the site of vaccination may be the result of several vaccine components but most likely is associated with adjuvants. Although most of these responses resolve without treatment in 2 to 4 weeks, those that persist for 6 weeks should be evaluated by means of fine-needle aspiration and cytologic examination or excisional biopsy and histologic examination. What kind of tumours? They’re called Vaccine-Associated Sarcomas – a form of fibrosarcoma. I have two cats who have had this vaccination and I would like to know what I have already inflicted on them, and what are the risks. You did not "inflict" anything on them, other than protection from fatal disease. The risks, as I mention, are 1-3 in 10,000, but only for FeLV and Rabies vaccine. I have not seen a documented report of VAS caused by FVRCP vaccines. If your cats are indoor/outdoor, FeLV vaccination is highly recommended. I’m not sure if Rabies vaccination is required by law in the UK. Vaccine-associated tumors are most frequently recognized at the site of vaccine administration and are usually first noticed several months after the most recent vaccination. Some epidemiologic studies suggest that as the number of antigens administered simultaneously at the same site increases, so does the risk of vaccine-associated tumor development. The cause of these tumors is not known, and types of vaccines and antigens associated with tumor development vary. For more information, visit my site: http://maxshouse.com/vaccines.htm http://maxshouse.com/viral_diseases.htm Phil —
Thank you so much, Phil, for your clarification. Although I shall in future ask my vet about injecting elsewhere than in the scruff of the neck, I feel the risk has been worth taking. I had my older cat vaccinated against FeLV for the first time two years ago, but after two boosters I decided against another booster this year on account of her age (nearly 16). The vaccine had not been available when she was young. I had my young cat vaccinated two years ago and she had her third booster this year. We live in a rural area and although the cats go outside they don’t mix much with other cats, so the bite risk is pretty low. I only had the older cat vaccinated because I was worried the younger one might pick up the virus and pass it on to her, but I gather the risk to an elderly cat is very low anyway. Should I continue to have the younger cat (2 and a half) vaccinated against FeLV annually? (She has to have the other vaccinations anyway for the cattery.) — Primadonna Before you buy.
Response:
The danger is if a vaccination site sarcoma forms, they will not be able to remove the whole tumor. Giving it in a rear leg allows for amputation if it is necessary. Add to that fact that the placement of vaccinations is helpful in determining what vaccine causes problems. That is why FVRCP is given in right shoulder, Rabies in right rear leg, and leukemia rear left leg.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Didn’t finish my message…. Why shouldn’t the Leukemia vaccine be given in the neck ( I am assuming you mean the shoulder blade area)? What is the danger? — ~Jennifer http://www.angelfire.com/md2/mdpetrescu/index.html Leukemia injections should NOT be given in the neck. They should be given in the left hind leg. Having read this thread I am interested to know what you think about the Triple vaccine (for cat flu, enteritis and FeLV) which is what our vet uses. (UK, Scotland). I have long been debating whether my cats should be given this, having heard of the tumours, since they are "indoor" and don’t go out. Of course one cannot predict if they will ever escape or be let out, you have to assess the relative risks. What percentage of cats are actually afflicted by the tumours? Vaccines containing feline leukemia virus antigen (with or without other antigens, except rabies virus antigen) should be administered in the *left* hind leg as distally as practical. Our vet certainly never does this, it is injected in the back of the neck. Eliza. Eliza Wright <URL: http://www.2fishes.co.uk/ – Skye-inspired Cross Stitch I would be grateful for some clarification here, since my vet gives Leucogen vaccinations annually by injection into the back of the neck, and I have heard nothing about tumours related to this vaccine. I live in the UK. — Primadonna Before you buy.
Response:
What about when the leukemia vaccination is a combination vaccine? — ~Jennifer http://www.angelfire.com/md2/mdpetrescu/index.html – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Leukemia injections should NOT be given in the neck. They should be given in the left hind leg. Having read this thread I am interested to know what you think about the Triple vaccine (for cat flu, enteritis and FeLV) which is what our vet uses. (UK, Scotland). I have long been debating whether my cats should be given this, having heard of the tumours, since they are "indoor" and don’t go out. Of course one cannot predict if they will ever escape or be let out, you have to assess the relative risks. What percentage of cats are actually afflicted by the tumours? Vaccines containing feline leukemia virus antigen (with or without other antigens, except rabies virus antigen) should be administered in the *left* hind leg as distally as practical. Our vet certainly never does this, it is injected in the back of the neck. Eliza. Eliza Wright <URL: http://www.2fishes.co.uk/ – Skye-inspired Cross Stitch I would be grateful for some clarification here, since my vet gives Leucogen vaccinations annually by injection into the back of the neck, and I have heard nothing about tumours related to this vaccine. I live in the UK. — Primadonna Before you buy.
Response:
Didn’t finish my message…. Why shouldn’t the Leukemia vaccine be given in the neck ( I am assuming you mean the shoulder blade area)? What is the danger? — ~Jennifer http://www.angelfire.com/md2/mdpetrescu/index.html – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Leukemia injections should NOT be given in the neck. They should be given in the left hind leg. Having read this thread I am interested to know what you think about the Triple vaccine (for cat flu, enteritis and FeLV) which is what our vet uses. (UK, Scotland). I have long been debating whether my cats should be given this, having heard of the tumours, since they are "indoor" and don’t go out. Of course one cannot predict if they will ever escape or be let out, you have to assess the relative risks. What percentage of cats are actually afflicted by the tumours? Vaccines containing feline leukemia virus antigen (with or without other antigens, except rabies virus antigen) should be administered in the *left* hind leg as distally as practical. Our vet certainly never does this, it is injected in the back of the neck. Eliza. Eliza Wright <URL: http://www.2fishes.co.uk/ – Skye-inspired Cross Stitch I would be grateful for some clarification here, since my vet gives Leucogen vaccinations annually by injection into the back of the neck, and I have heard nothing about tumours related to this vaccine. I live in the UK. — Primadonna Before you buy.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Leukemia injections should NOT be given in the neck. They should be given in the left hind leg. I would be grateful for some clarification here, since my vet gives Leucogen vaccinations annually by injection into the back of the neck, and I have heard nothing about tumours related to this vaccine. I live in the UK. — Primadonna But could someone please tell me about the tumours that this vaccination apparently causes? Has this been very frequently
reported? 1 – 3 in 10,000, but these types (VAS [Vaccine-Associated Sarcomas]) of tumors are only associated with Rabies and FeLV vaccines. I think more so with Rabies than FeLV. Increased reports began after PA enacted mandatory Rabies vaccinations and other States followed suit. I don’t believe the antigen is responsible, but rather the adjuvants which are added to killed-virus vaccines to stimulate an immunologic response. Aluminum, which is used in certain adjuvants, has been isolated in some VAS. Whether or not aluminum is a causative factor is still unknown. Vaccine-site reactions must be distinguished from VAS, they are not the same thing. Benign local reactions are common in cats and are characterized by apparent pain or swelling at the injection site. Signs of stinging or discomfort at the vaccination site are generally associated with excessively high or low pH or osmolarity. Localized swelling at the site of vaccination may be the result of several vaccine components but most likely is associated with adjuvants. Although most of these responses resolve without treatment in 2 to 4 weeks, those that persist for 6 weeks should be evaluated by means of fine-needle aspiration and cytologic examination or excisional biopsy and histologic examination. What kind of tumours?
They’re called Vaccine-Associated Sarcomas – a form of fibrosarcoma. I have two cats who have had this vaccination and I would like to know what I have already inflicted on them, and what are the risks.
You did not "inflict" anything on them, other than protection from fatal disease. The risks, as I mention, are 1-3 in 10,000, but only for FeLV and Rabies vaccine. I have not seen a documented report of VAS caused by FVRCP vaccines. If your cats are indoor/outdoor, FeLV vaccination is highly recommended. I’m not sure if Rabies vaccination is required by law in the UK. Vaccine-associated tumors are most frequently recognized at the site of vaccine administration and are usually first noticed several months after the most recent vaccination. Some epidemiologic studies suggest that as the number of antigens administered simultaneously at the same site increases, so does the risk of vaccine-associated tumor development. The cause of these tumors is not known, and types of vaccines and antigens associated with tumor development vary. For more information, visit my site: http://maxshouse.com/vaccines.htm http://maxshouse.com/viral_diseases.htm Phil — "Cat people are different, to the extent that they generally are not conformists. How could the be, with a cat running their lives?" –Louis Camuti Feline Healthcare: http://maxshouse.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — Primadonna Before you buy.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Leukemia injections should NOT be given in the neck. They should be given in the left hind leg. I would be grateful for some clarification here, since my vet gives Leucogen vaccinations annually by injection into the back of the neck, and I have heard nothing about tumours related to this vaccine. I live in the UK. — Primadonna
But could someone please tell me about the tumours that this vaccination apparently causes? Has this been very frequently reported? What kind of tumours? I have two cats who have had this vaccination and I would like to know what I have already inflicted on them, and what are the risks. — Primadonna Before you buy.
Response:
Leukemia injections should NOT be given in the neck. They should be given in the left hind leg.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Having read this thread I am interested to know what you think about the Triple vaccine (for cat flu, enteritis and FeLV) which is what our vet uses. (UK, Scotland). I have long been debating whether my cats should be given this, having heard of the tumours, since they are "indoor" and don’t go out. Of course one cannot predict if they will ever escape or be let out, you have to assess the relative risks. What percentage of cats are actually afflicted by the tumours? Vaccines containing feline leukemia virus antigen (with or without other antigens, except rabies virus antigen) should be administered in the *left* hind leg as distally as practical. Our vet certainly never does this, it is injected in the back of the neck. Eliza. Eliza Wright <URL: http://www.2fishes.co.uk/ – Skye-inspired Cross Stitch I would be grateful for some clarification here, since my vet gives Leucogen vaccinations annually by injection into the back of the neck, and I have heard nothing about tumours related to this vaccine. I live in the UK. — Primadonna Before you buy.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Having read this thread I am interested to know what you think about the Triple vaccine (for cat flu, enteritis and FeLV) which is what our vet uses. (UK, Scotland). I have long been debating whether my cats should be given this, having heard of the tumours, since they are "indoor" and don’t go out. Of course one cannot predict if they will ever escape or be let out, you have to assess the relative risks. What percentage of cats are actually afflicted by the tumours? Vaccines containing feline leukemia virus antigen (with or without other antigens, except rabies virus antigen) should be administered in the *left* hind leg as distally as practical. Our vet certainly never does this, it is injected in the back of the neck. Eliza. Eliza Wright <URL: http://www.2fishes.co.uk/ – Skye-inspired Cross Stitch
I would be grateful for some clarification here, since my vet gives Leucogen vaccinations annually by injection into the back of the neck, and I have heard nothing about tumours related to this vaccine. I live in the UK. — Primadonna Before you buy.
Response:
Having read this thread I am interested to know what you think about the Triple vaccine (for cat flu, enteritis and FeLV) which is what our vet uses. (UK, Scotland). I have long been debating whether my cats should be given this, having heard of the tumours, since they are "indoor" and don’t go out. Of course one cannot predict if they will ever escape or be let out, you have to assess the relative risks. What percentage of cats are actually afflicted by the tumours? Vaccines containing feline leukemia virus antigen (with or without other antigens, except rabies virus antigen) should be administered in the *left* hind leg as distally as practical.
Our vet certainly never does this, it is injected in the back of the neck. Eliza. Eliza Wright <URL: http://www.2fishes.co.uk/ – Skye-inspired Cross Stitch
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Having read this thread I am interested to know what you think about the Triple vaccine (for cat flu, enteritis and FeLV) which is what our vet uses. (UK, Scotland). I have long been debating whether my cats should be given this, having heard of the tumours, since they are "indoor" and don’t go out. Of course one cannot predict if they will ever escape or be let out, you have to assess the relative risks. What percentage of cats are actually afflicted by the tumours? Vaccines containing feline leukemia virus antigen (with or without other antigens, except rabies virus antigen) should be administered in the *left* hind leg as distally as practical. Our vet certainly never does this, it is injected in the back of the neck.
I do not give leukemia vaccine anymore. My vet never give vaccination on the back of the neck, my cats have microchip there. ob. — **** Odette Brown ** I love Cats ***** *** La Belle Province ** Quebec ** CANADA *** *** http://www.igs.net/~rathey/odette1.htm ***
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Your vet is absolutely correct and in complete agreement with the current vaccination guidlines recommended by the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the Academy of Feline Medicine Advisory Panel on Feline Vaccines. FeLV vacinations should be given only to cats considered to be at high-risk (outdoors, contact with unknown cats or contact with cats with unknown FeLV status). We vaccinate all of age cats for FeLV because we don’t know what their life style (indoor/outdoor) will be after adoption. Otherwise, FeLV vaccinations should be given only after careful assessment of risk-to-benefit ratio. FeLV transmission requires prolonged and intimate contact with an infected cat (mutual grooming, sharing food & water bowl, litter boxes), or a bit wound, in which case a large quanity of virus can be injected directly into the body. FeLV is not transmitted by casual contact. Vaccines containing feline leukemia virus antigen (with or without other antigens, except rabies virus antigen) should be administered in the *left* hind leg as distally as practical.. Vaccines containing rabies virus antigen (and any other antigens) should be administered in the *right* hind leg as distally as practical. Thank you for the info. I was referring to the Chicago Cat Clinic, one of the first felines only practices in the country,
An *excellent* clinic! Is Dr. Kim Arnell still there? so it does not surprise me that their advice conforms to the latest recommendations.They are generally quite up to date. Although our cats do go out on a leash, their contact with other cats is confined to hissing at the neighbor’s cat through the window, and hissing through their carriers at the other cats at the vet’s office. I believe I’ve read elswhere that the feline leukemia vaccine is about 60% effective, or is that FIP? yngver
Very, very hard to judge because the cats immune system plays a very large roll in the outcome after exposure. FeLV vaccines are rated with an average effiacy of about 75%. However, I’ve known cats *bitten* by FeLV+ cats that *rejected* infection – both, vaccinated and unvaccinated cats, and I’ve known vaccinated cats that became infected without being bit. Overall, I’d say the vaccine *does* confer significant protective immunity to cats at risk. The FIP vaccine? I think you know my feelings about that. 0% – 75% (so they say). However, a report by Drs. Chris Olsen and Fred Scott at Cornell University did not support the efficacy claims of the manufacturer. In addition, the development of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of infection in vaccinated cats was demonstrated in several of their studies. There may not be definite proof the vaccine causes FIP, but there is evidence that suggests the vaccine may sensitize the cat to infection. Since we dropped that vaccine from our vaccination protocol, our FIP cases dropped from 16 in one year to 4. The FIP vaccine isn’t designed to confer systemic immunity as are other vaccines. The FIP vaccine is designed to stop the virus in the oronasal passages which is believed to be the most common route of infection. However, the vaccine was developed *before* the FIP coronavirus was *proven* to be a spontaneous mutation of the FECV (Virology. 1998 Mar 30;243(1):150-7). IOW, the virus is *already* in the cat. The FECV & FIP viruses are *not* seperate species as previously believed. they are merely opposite extremes in a spectrum of morphologically and antigenically *identical* viruses. The mutations are *deletions* in the FIPVs and not *insertions* in the FECVs sequences. The vaccine strain supposedly cannot survive at the higher internal temperatures in the cat’s intestine, where the virus would normally cause damage, that’s another reason for intranasal innoculation – cooler tempreature. To complicate matters, the vaccine produces antibodies which might be mistaken for coronavirus antibodies and lead to false positive test results – FECV, FIPV and vaccine-produced antibodies are *indistinguishable*. Also, antibodies are not protective for FIP and actually contribute to the pathogenesis of the Arthus-type reaction. If the vaccine were given intra-nasally, stimulated local production of IgG which went The second worry is that the vaccine strain could recombine with field strains of FECV (something coronaviruses are fond of doing), and reconstitue a virulent FIP strain – the *exact* principal behind the FECV – FIPV mutation. Nope! There’s no force in the universe that could make me put a *live* coronavirus in my cats! I want to keep them as *far* away from that unpredictable abomination as possible! http://maxshouse.com/feline_infectious_peritonitis.htm http://maxshouse.com/FIP%20Update.htm Phil. — "Cat people are different, to the extent that they generally are not conformists. How could the be, with a cat running their lives?" –Louis Camuti Feline Healthcare: http://maxshouse.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – (delete "nojunk" to e-mail)
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Your vet is absolutely correct and in complete agreement with the current vaccination guidlines recommended by the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the Academy of Feline Medicine Advisory Panel on Feline Vaccines. FeLV vacinations should be given only to cats considered to be at high-risk (outdoors, contact with unknown cats or contact with cats with unknown FeLV status). We vaccinate all of age cats for FeLV because we don’t know what their life style (indoor/outdoor) will be after adoption. Otherwise, FeLV vaccinations should be given only after careful assessment of risk-to-benefit ratio. FeLV transmission requires prolonged and intimate contact with an infected cat (mutual grooming, sharing food & water bowl, litter boxes), or a bit wound, in which case a large quanity of virus can be injected directly into the body. FeLV is not transmitted by casual contact. Vaccines containing feline leukemia virus antigen (with or without other antigens, except rabies virus antigen) should be administered in the *left* hind leg as distally as practical.. Vaccines containing rabies virus antigen (and any other antigens) should be administered in the *right* hind leg as distally as practical.
Thank you for the info. I was referring to the Chicago Cat Clinic, one of the first felines only practices in the country, so it does not surprise me that their advice conforms to the latest recommendations.They are generally quite up to date. Although our cats do go out on a leash, their contact with other cats is confined to hissing at the neighbor’s cat through the window, and hissing through their carriers at the other cats at the vet’s office. I believe I’ve read elswhere that the feline leukemia vaccine is about 60% effective, or is that FIP? yngver (delete "nojunk" to e-mail)
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Our vet just told us that her clinic no longer recommends the feline leukemia vaccine for cats that do not roam (our go outside, but only on a leash or in our fenced backyard). She also takes her cats outside on a leash and no longer vaccinates for feline leukemia. She said the vaccine is not fully effective anyway. What is the latest thinking on this vaccine? I know it has been linked to vaccine site sarcomas, and I think I’ve also read that once the cat is an adult and has build up immunity, a vaccination probably lasts for 3 years anyway. How often, if at all, should non-free-roaming cats be vaccinated for this? yngver
My vets don’t recommend it for inside-only cats, *unless* they tend to be escape artists, or have any other potential for close contact with other cats. IOW – out on a leash, they’d still be likely to go for the vaccine. AFAIR, it’s also given in a different location (of the cat) now because of the link w/ vacc. site sarcomas. I don’t know about any new thinking re: AFAIK. My vets did tell me long ago that it’s not 100% effective. Cathy — "Decades gliding by like Indians, time is cheap." Paul Simon ("Ren