kellbell - are you here?

[kellbell191]

I'm here!

[kellbell191]

I personally do not administer it. Unless your cats are being exposed to other stray cats on a regular basis, its not worth it. We practice minimal vaccination b.c. I worry about sarcoma, preservatives, etc.

The feline leukemia vaccination does actually work and doesn't cause false positives, unlike the FIV vaccine. BUT it is freakishly hard to spread FeLv. There is a huge misconception right now that it is spread through casual contact. Technically it can be spread through saliva, like sharing food bowls, or mutual grooming, but it only lives outside the body for a few hours. Also, most healthy adult cats have enough of an immune system to fight off casual exposure to the virus. Short version of the long story: we were fostering kittens that tested negative for FeLv at 8 weeks and then positive at six months after they had been adopted. My cats had lived with them for a month and my one adopted them as his and ate with them, slept with them, groomed them, played with them. It has been five years and not only have my cats ALWAYS tested negative for FeLv, all three kittens shed the virus and have tested negative since.

I don't vaccinate because I am more worried about the risk of a vaccine related cancer than I am of FeLv. It is a horrible virus but a lot harder for cats to catch than people realize, and the vaccine itself is not super effective, 75-85% I think. I fyou aren't consciously allowing them outside and aren't fostering untested cats and allowing them to have contact with yours, I personally wouldn't do it. I don't think you would be wrong if you chose to go with the vaccine though.

[kellbell191]

For FeLv and FIV information, Cornell is awesome: www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/felv.html

I also really like Marley fund. FeLv and FIV are the huge subject of debate right now and a pet project of mine. Recent research shows them to be a lot less transmittable than people originally thought, but a lot of vets don't keep current on the research.

[kellbell191]

Aug 3, 2012 14:45:38 GMT -5 toledo said:

Ugh, then not an easy decision, fuck.

Thank you so much for the info! I'll discuss it more with the vet, although I have a feeling he will be pushing strongly to get it.

They usually do : ) Mine push me hardcore and I just decline. I have seen more cases of vaccine related cancer in indoor cats than I have of feline leukemia in indoor cats. So I'd rather prevent the one I feel is a more realistic threat for them.

Other risks of over vaccination include the possibility of allergic reactions. I am personally not confident about how vaccines affect their long term health, especially with FeLv as a newer vaccination. The issues with rabies related sarcomas didn't show up for several years in some cases.

But I also admit to being on the more cautious side about exposing them to chemicals, preservatives and pesticides. So you can take my concerns with a grain of salt if you want : )

Maybe ask your vet how effective, what the benefits are, who the vaccine producer is, how long this compound has been on the market, what side effects he's seen or heard reported and their incidence rate.

ETA: Cornell does not recommend for cats over 4 months who are indoor only b.c. the risk of infection is so low. Kittens are more susceptible.