Question about feline vaccinations

[ArizonaLisa]

I posted a while back about how I had adopted a kitten and an older female cat. It turned out that the female cat I adopted from the animal shelter is pregnant. She is approximately 6 weeks right now. My question is in regards to vaccinations. I know that she, obviously, can't have shots right now due to her pregnancy. What I'm wondering about, is whether or not my younger kitten (who is actually scheduled for his feline distemper and feline leukemia shot this afternoon) should be getting any live-virus vaccines while my other cat is pregnant. They share a litter box, and I was reading online that certian viruses in vaccines can be shed through the fecal matter and actually hurt the pregnant cat's kittens. I believe the feline distemper vaccine is actually a combination including feline panleukopenia (sp?). My vet (who I unfortunately don't have all that much faith in at this point) said she had never heard of that. I have a call out to another vet in town for a second opinion, but I am waiting for a return call right now. Has anyone heard anything about this? If there is any chance of hurting her babies, I would obviously like to wait to do my younger kitten's vaccines until it is safe. They are both indoor cats and aren't going to be exposed to anything anyhow. Anyone have any ideas on this? Thank you!

[Traci]

There would be no harm in vaccinating your kitten at this point. As for the vaccine, what you are referring to is called the 3-way FVRCP, which includes feline rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, distemper (distemper is another term for panleukopenia) or chlamydia. I also suggest testing for FELV/FIV, then vaccinating with the FELV vaccine.

[ArizonaLisa]

Thank you, Traci. I just got a call back from the vet and he told me not to worry; I feel a lot better now. I've had both of my kitties tested for FELV/FIV, and thankfully, both of them were negative. They will both be getting vaccinated for it, just to be safe. Of course, Isis (my pregnant kitty) will be vaccinated after her kittens are weaned.