Booster shots for cats?

Hi,
My cat is scheduled for annual rabbies shot. I was wondering if she could get the distemper shot at the same time as well? I've read somewhere that although vets suggest giving distemper shots annnualy, in fact it should be given once every three years. Is it true?
Also, is giving rabies and distemper shots at the same time too much for the cat? Should we wait in between?

Thank you!
Agata

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

My veterinary practice usually  gives the first set of vaccines the first year,  but after the first year we start to do titers. We give the pet owner the option of doing titers in lieu of automatically giving the feline distemper vaccine.  The titer measures the amout of feline distemper antibody in the blood.  If the antibody in the cats blood is adequate there is no need to revaccinate that year.  It means that the vaccine from the previous year is still working.  I have rarely seen a titer for any cat that was not adequate within several years of vaccination for feline distemper.  This test just requires a small amount of blood.  Therefore, to answer your question you can ask your vet about doing a titer.  Most vets are aware of doing titers, maybe your vet already has this option in place.

Rabies and feline leukemia vaccine (if an outdoor cat) should be given regardless.  

The safest option for any cat is to not give more than one vaccine at a single visit, however this is often not practical.

Ideally you should wait at least 2 weeks in between vaccinations.  And, ideally you should get the titer performed instead of the feline distemper.

Lastly,  if we ever do see an inadequate titer for feline distemper we will have the cat come back to get a feline distemper booster, so it is a win win situation.