FeLV vaccination

[Shadowfein]

Hi there

I just wanted to find out - my dad's cat got a vacc for FeLV this morning - it has just been released here in SA. I am quite keen on getting my two done - but am unsure on whether to wait until their next lot are due or taking them now. Has it been released in your areas? What is it like? etc etc...

Any advice?

Thanks.

[Traci]

Could you elaborate on SA (south america, south africa, australia, etc)?
I find it interesting the FELV vaccine has not been available in your area, since it has been produced since the early 1980's.

See here for Feline Vaccination information, including schedules, risk factors, etc. Before considering this vaccine for your cats, ask your vet for statistics or prevalence of FELV in your area, ask if he is currently using the protocol guidelines recommended by the AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners), take special note if he is using the correct injection location sites, etc. and find out the manufacturer's name of the vaccine.

[Shadowfein]

Hi Traci

I am in South Africa. The vaccines are:

Fel-O-Vax PCT - Panleukopenia, Calci and Thinotrachetitis
Fel-O-Vax IV - as above and Chlamydia
Fel-O-Vax LvK Iv - as above and Leukemia
Fel-O-Guard 4 + FelV-R - as above plus Rabies
RabVac 3 - Rabies

In SA - all domestic pets have to be vaccinated for Rabies by law.

My cats have had their 3 in 1 shots - which would be the first on the list - but honestly - the vet yesterday told me that the vaccination for Leukemia and FIV have JUST been released. That slays me! Especially if, as you say they have been available throughout the rest of the world since the 1980s! So typical! We always get everything last here... Very annoying!

The manufacturer is Janssen Pharmaceutica. I will review the site you sent me to. Thanks a lot!

[Traci]

Ok, to avoid confusion, the FIV vaccine in fact has been newly released, and for what it's worth, I would not vaccinate your cats with it. The problem with this new vaccine is that it doesn't target specific strains of the virus (I believe there are 3-5 in differing geographical locations and the vaccine only targets two, which I'm not sure are attributable for your area in particular). Until more research is done, this vaccine in particular may not be suitable, and is certainly NOT suitable for all cats in general. I believe that research is currently undergoing to isolate other strains, and when that is acheived, a new vaccine will probably be underway, can't predict the future with this one just yet. It might be interesting to note that vets are currently on the fence about it, many are implementing the FIV vaccine into their practice, and are using it as a preventative measure. Other vets are undecided about it's use, as the research and data unfolds further.

As for all the feline vaccines you listed, they are all marketed by Fort Dodge in the US, Janssen Pharmaceuticals Animal Health is currently getting their supply from Fort Dodge (other vaccines for Janssen are supplied through Merial or Intervet), I don't know why they are just now making these available to vets in your area unless there were registration, country legalities and import/export regulations put in place.

One concern with ANY vaccine, is the knowledge your vet has with current protocols, injection site locations and the availability to have a practitioner's reporting program in place. For example, in the US, we have a manufacturer's reporting act available that acts as both a monitoring system and a method allowing vets to report an adverse reaction, submit data that may indicate vaccine failure or sarcoma suspicion (vaccine-associated-sarcoma), etc. I would assume Janssen and Fort Dodge are working together to implement such a plan for SA (hopefully have already done so)

I'm sure your vet has been given the proper information from Janssen (via Fort Dodge), however, Janssen is responsible for extending that information to veterinarians so they can implement the best practice concerning these vaccines. I would mention that with your vet and ask him if he is familiar with these issues (vaccine site locations, reporting program available, current data and information regarding vaccine protocols, risk factors, individual case needs, etc)

I've used Fort Dodge's vaccines with complete confidence, however, I don't know the practices used with import/export regulations, shipping methods, safety during shipping, etc, these should be governed by SA's individual laws.

[Shadowfein]

Thanks Traci.

I will speak to my vet and see what he says.