My 2 year old male tabby is now the picture of health. but in Feb of 2002 he almost died after I got him vaccinated for rabies. He broke out in a rash all over his body which the vet said were hemmorages. He became lethargic, stopped eating and were it not for the steroids and antibiotics he probably would have died. The vets finally determined that he had had a reaction to the vaccines, and suggested that we not vaccinate him again, and make him an indoor cat. Well, after about 6 months of fighting him daily (we live in a 1 bedroom apartment) and putting up with his insane behavior, we finally gave in and now let him roam for a few hours a day. He is MUCH happier. Now of course I'm concerned that he may contract something and he is due for vaccinations.
I am wondering if there is a way to vaccinate him in lower doses or if anybody has any suggestions other that keeping him indoors only, which I have tried.
Thank you
Allergic reaction to vaccinations
Vaccines
I am sorry about your cat. YOu did not say however, whether he was vaccinted for other diseases which are easily contracted outside the home.
YOur cat is at risk for these diases such as FIP and feline leukemia. Please talk to your vet about these vaccines, and if you can keep him inside where it is safe, or in a fenced or screened area in your yard or patio area.
Mona
YOur cat is at risk for these diases such as FIP and feline leukemia. Please talk to your vet about these vaccines, and if you can keep him inside where it is safe, or in a fenced or screened area in your yard or patio area.
Mona
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Tina B and crew
- Posts: 2536
- Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2003 9:48 am
- Location: Virginia
I certainly understand your concern. I would NOT under any circumstances allow him outside unvaccinated however...it's just far too risky. I'm not going to get into the vaccinate vs don't vaccinate debate here, but I suggest doing as Mona suggested, talk to your vet...if your vet won't help you seek a solution call around and find another vet who will. I know some vets will work with clients to find alternative vaccine plans for those whose animals have had reactions.
As far as keeping kitty inside, does he have plenty of toys? A kitty condo? a window seat? Try to make sure he has plenty to keep him busy so he doesn't get bored. You can make it work with time and patience. I wish you luck...keep us posted
As far as keeping kitty inside, does he have plenty of toys? A kitty condo? a window seat? Try to make sure he has plenty to keep him busy so he doesn't get bored. You can make it work with time and patience. I wish you luck...keep us posted
Tina B and "what a crew!"
How we behave towards cats here below determines our status in heaven ~Robert A. Heinlein
How we behave towards cats here below determines our status in heaven ~Robert A. Heinlein
There are NO alternatives or substitutes for vaccinations. The only alternative you have regarding the Rabies vaccine, is to never have it administered again, and to keep your kitty totally indoors only. As for FVRCP, this should be given at least as a booster if he hasn't already received boosters, and at least once every three years. If you haven't had kitty tested for FELV, this should be done. If a negative test result is achieved, then vaccinate at least once. Because kitty has a sensitivity to vaccines, you can ask your vet to administer benedryl pre-vaccination to help minimize reactions, and opt to leave kitty at the clinic for observation for at least 8 hours post-vaccination.
The problem with not vaccinating, is that you cannot garantee total safety should you one day adopt another kitty who isn't vaccinated, have to board your kitty for whatever the reason (including grooming appointments if applicable), or relocate to another state and get caught without a rabies certificate. In the latter case, you can have your vet sign an exemption on the certificate and be sure to keep that certificate with you. Another problem is if you let your kitty outside and he escapes, without an ID tag, he could be picked up and taken to an animal shelter, and if he happened to bite someone, without proof of rabies, you could lose him. (again, your vet's signed exemption would be necessary to show proof)
The only safe method of allowing kitty outdoors is to build a safe enclosure, there are several companies on the net who offer these enclosures at reasonable costs. Don't take chances on your kitty being outdoors without a safe enclosure. You never know when a dog may come chasing through your yard, your kitty becomes skittish or frightened for whatever reason and runs across the street getting hit by a car in the process, or is approached by another unvaccinated cat who may be infected with FELV, FIV or FIP.
If you keep kitties indoors only, you may never have to vaccinate again, but again, the risks, as outlined above, will be yours and your vet's deciding factors.
In the event your vet didn't tell you, make absolutely certain that kitty's prior reaction to the Rabies vaccine is CLEARLY marked and noted in kitty's health chart at the clinic. Also make sure your vet reported the reaction to the manufacturer, and listed the type of vaccine, lot number and expiration date, including the reaction that was treated.
The problem with not vaccinating, is that you cannot garantee total safety should you one day adopt another kitty who isn't vaccinated, have to board your kitty for whatever the reason (including grooming appointments if applicable), or relocate to another state and get caught without a rabies certificate. In the latter case, you can have your vet sign an exemption on the certificate and be sure to keep that certificate with you. Another problem is if you let your kitty outside and he escapes, without an ID tag, he could be picked up and taken to an animal shelter, and if he happened to bite someone, without proof of rabies, you could lose him. (again, your vet's signed exemption would be necessary to show proof)
The only safe method of allowing kitty outdoors is to build a safe enclosure, there are several companies on the net who offer these enclosures at reasonable costs. Don't take chances on your kitty being outdoors without a safe enclosure. You never know when a dog may come chasing through your yard, your kitty becomes skittish or frightened for whatever reason and runs across the street getting hit by a car in the process, or is approached by another unvaccinated cat who may be infected with FELV, FIV or FIP.
If you keep kitties indoors only, you may never have to vaccinate again, but again, the risks, as outlined above, will be yours and your vet's deciding factors.
In the event your vet didn't tell you, make absolutely certain that kitty's prior reaction to the Rabies vaccine is CLEARLY marked and noted in kitty's health chart at the clinic. Also make sure your vet reported the reaction to the manufacturer, and listed the type of vaccine, lot number and expiration date, including the reaction that was treated.
..........Traci
Thank you all for your quick replies.
Yes, my cat was given the initial 2 rounds of vaccinations when I got him as recommended by my vet. He had a slight allergic reaction to one of the rounds and then the much more severe reaction to the rabies vaccine later.
I am going to call my vet to discuss these matters again to see how I can get him vaccinated again. I guess one of my questions is how long do these vaccinations truly last.
Thanks again.
Yes, my cat was given the initial 2 rounds of vaccinations when I got him as recommended by my vet. He had a slight allergic reaction to one of the rounds and then the much more severe reaction to the rabies vaccine later.
I am going to call my vet to discuss these matters again to see how I can get him vaccinated again. I guess one of my questions is how long do these vaccinations truly last.
Thanks again.
Duration of immunity has not been effectively established for many of the vaccines, plus, the manufacturers have a large responsibility to conduct more research in order to advise vets on duration of immunity and to provide appropriate vaccines. You can check out the AAFP site for Feline testing and vaccination protocols (need pdf to access files), and also VIN's Feline Protocol Guidelines page for more information.jimmy wrote:I guess one of my questions is how long do these vaccinations truly last.
Thanks again.
Duration of immunity testing requires extensive testing, controlled studies, longevity, and a miriad of other factors. New research suggests that duration of immunity from some vaccinations may be as long as 5 years, but be cautious, many vets do not support the current findings and may be hesitant to adapt strictly to recent guidelines. ALL of the recent guidelines concerning both feline and canine vaccination protocols focus on the veterinarian's full comprehensive tailoring to each particular pet's needs, not soley on the guidelines, as those guidelines are not a one-size-fits-all approach, they simply provide a useful guideline in which to incorporate decisions based on the individual patient's needs and risk factors.
..........Traci