indoor cats + vaccinations

[heatherlynn22]

this is actually a serioius post by me. lol.

but what is everyones views on vaccinations for indoor cats? our dear venus is coming up to her 1 year appointment in a few weeks and we had her vaccinated for everything last year (she went from outdoor, farm cat to indoor pampered princess) but we're not sure if it's all necesssary seeing as how she is an indoor fur baby now. the only time she is outside is if she's with me and that's usually for a few minutes for her to get a quick soak of sun on the patio then her but goes back inside. she has no contact with other animals (at least not yet, we do plan on getting a dog once we move). and we really don't want her to have any unneccessary vaccinations if she doesn't need them. she will most definitely be going in for her appointment but....it's just those shots. i hate hearing my poor fur baby cry and if she doesn't need them....ya know.

[opus88]

You have an interesting question and I also look forward to reading the answers.
I have 2 indoor cats and I get them vaccinated because there are still many diseases they can get even if kept inside no different than us humans as far as leukemia for example...However I feel different abt the 'rabies' vac. I do not usually give it to any of the cats I have except just one I have now who occasionally likes to bite and just incase he should bite a child for instance I vac him as a precaution.

[LynneAV]

I struggled with this issue, too. Vaccinations in our area are not required for cats, and rabies hasn't been evidenced for something like 50 years, and both Annie and Lizzie were strictly indoor-only with no exposure to other animals. Besides that, vaccinations always made Annie sick. Our vet advised me to vaccinate up to age 7 or so anyway, because all it takes is one visit to the vet office or one "escape" to catch something -- more likely Panleukopenia (feline distemper) than rabies. However, the problem with not vaccinating for rabies can be an instance when somebody CLAIMS that your kitty bit or scratched their human child and then proceeds to demand that Animal Control put your kitty into quarantine (or worse, much worse). That was my dilemma with Annie, because she did not take kindly to human children chasing and grabbing at her. While Lizzie just hid under the bed when kids came over, Annie would take a stance and growl at them (Bad *** Annie).  The other consideration is that you probably would not be allowed to board your kitty in an emergency if she isn't up to date on vaccinations.

I vaccinated both of mine until age 7 or 8, after which time the vet said he had no doubt they had lifetime immunity, and after that I vaccinated only Lizzie for Panleuk (and maybe something else, I forget now) because she did not have bad reactions to vaccines and she was also the one who always caught something at every vet visit. You might ask your vet, "What would you do if this were your cat?"

[HelpinUtah]

I have been told the feline leukemia can be picked up even by petting another animal that is infected with it and then petting your own cat.  Is that true?  I don't know.  So, I have always had my cats vaccinated and they have always been indoor cats.  Also, my fear is what if somehow there was a rabid animal (such as a mouse) that would bite them - then what?  I had heard of a person whose cat bit someone and because she couldn't prove her cat had his vaccination for rabies the cat was put down.  Again, I don't know if that's true.  I guess for me I do get them their shots out of precaution.  But, recently I had heard that some cats can get cancer at the injection sites?  If that's true, then what?  

Perhaps one of our experts will come upon this and give a professional opinion.  I'm interested to hear other opinions.

[LynneAV]

It's been a long time since I was up to date on this subject, but I think it's the feline distemper (panleukopenia) that is so incredibly contagious and that can be brought into the house on human clothing or hands and transmitted to your cat.  FeLV, feline leukemia, is a different curse, and is transmitted cat to cat and most commonly in high density cat homes and from mother to kittens.  Our Lizzie, adopted from a shelter at 8 weeks old in 1992, actually had FeLV that didn't show up in tests until she was already very ill with lymphoma at age 12. Horrid, horrid disease, as is FIV which is also hideous and too common now. People need to change their thinking about letting their cats roam outdoors unsupervised, if these diseases are ever to be contolled.

[heatherlynn22]

well she'll definitely get the distemper shot than. i remember reading about how horrible that can be for kitties. my venus hides anytime a person comes over (it doesn't matter if they're 80 or 8) and the only kids she plays with are the boys. she's not a big people friendly cat but she loves her family. i definitely don't want to not get her vital vaccines but our vet is always so busy (he's a great vet though. very very very good with our girl and he took such wonderful care of her when she was spayed and had to stay overnight and he's the only non family member i've EVER seen her just sit in his arms purring) that as soon as he's finished with her he's hurrying out the room to get to the other animals that are there for their appointment and we don't get a chance to ask him questions.

[Maddie6]

"I guess for me I do get them their shots out of precaution.  But, recently I had heard that some cats can get cancer at the injection sites?  If that's true, then what?"  


Hi,
That's a good question from HelpinUtah.  I once had a Vet quite a few years ago say this is why they now give vaccine injections in the leg.  She said if cancer occurs at the injection site (meanin leg), they just amputate the leg!  I was taken aback as at the time as I didn't realize the risk of cancer and vaccines.  I wonder if anyone else here has heard that comment.

[LynneAV]

Maddie6, yes that is true. If I had a younger kitty I would read up on each of the vaccines and understand the pros and cons for each one, and find out the probability of tumors at the vaccination sites -- I think it is very low, but it is something to consider.

[Maddie6]

Thanks LynneAV.  It sure is something I also need to research next Vet visit for kitty.

[opus88]

You are correct I had a Vet tell me the same thing, they can develop a tumor at the site therefor its best to use multiple sites, a new site every year and my vet does make note of this on their cards....always something eh!!

[FurballsMom]

When my Siamese started having Colitis that wasn't getting any better, which seemed to have started after the last set of vaccines she had, her vet and I decided she wasn't going to be getting any more vaccines.  Her Colitis didn't get any better with treatment either.  I lost her to colon cancer.

[Thomas Dock, Vet. Technician]

I don't know how I missed this post!   I love talking about vaccines!

The American Association of Feline Practitoners (AAFP) has set forth guidelines for vaccinating kitties that will help prevent the rare occurrence of the cancers you all have mentioned, but also help to keep serious diseases in check.

First, there are two "core" vaccines that every cat should be vaccinated for...rabies and panleukopenia (feline distemper).   This diseases are 1) deadly 2) highly contagious, and 3) in the case of rabies, it has zoonotic potential.

After the initial kitten series, cats should be vaccinated at 1 year of age for both diseases.  Then, the AAFP recommends vaccines once every 3 years, even for indoor only cats.   As others have mentioned, feline distemper is a very hardy virus and can be carried in on shoes, clothing, etc from another infected cat. Rabies is not super hardy in the environment, but there are so many resevoirs, especially bats, that we must be proactive and vaccinate our pets for this very serious disease.

If your cat would bite someone else and you did not have a rabies vaccine current, the pet would need to be quarantined to prove they were not exhibiting signs of rabies.  In some rare cases, especially bites to children on or near the head, local animal control agencies have the option for immediate euthanasia so that the cat can be tested for rabies.

The other diseases, such as feline leukemia, are "non-core" meaning that they should only be vaccinated for if the cat is at risk.   Cats at risk for feline leukemia are cats who roam outdoors and cats who live in multi-cat households where at least one cat goes outdoors routinely.   Feline leukemia is transmitted from close contact (i.e. grooming each other) or occasionally from bites.

Your veterinarian is always the best person to discuss vaccines with as they know your cat best and your cat's lifestyle best.   They can help guide you with the proper intervals and the types of vaccines your cat will need.

I hope this helps!

[Maddie6]

Wow, thanks!  That does help a lot as it can be confusing.    

Now what about the risk of cancer at the injection site from the vaccines.  Do you see many cases of tumors in the leg area from the vaccines?

[opus88]

thx...just to clarify, are you saying that even CORE diseases in an adult cat only need to be done every THREE years?

[Thomas Dock, Vet. Technician]

opus88:  Yes, after the initial kitten series and then a booster at 1 year, the AAFP recommends vaccinations for panleukopenia and rabies once every 3 years.  Here is a link to the pdf file showing their 2006 recommendations:

catvets.com/uploads/PDF/FINALVaccineTable12.15.pdf

Of course, you will want to follow your local city or state laws regarding rabies vaccines.  Most of gone to three year schedules, but a few still require annual rabies for all pets.

Maddie6:  Injection site sarcomas are a nasty thing for cats and luckily we don't see more of them.   The reason for vaccinating low on the rear legs is because fibrosarcomas are very locally invasive tumors.   In the scruff area, (where we used to give all vaccines), a developing tumor can easily infiltrate into the spine where surgical resection becomes very difficult.   By vaccinating low on a rear leg, if a tumor develops, there is a chance for amputation and complete resection of the tumor.

As far as risk, there are many studies, some showing the incidence level to be 1 in 1,000, some showing 1 in 100,000 cats.  The best study I saw was retrospective and looked at more than 30,000 cats each receive two vaccines.   They conclusion was that the risk of injection site sarcomas is less than 1 in 31,000.

In my non professional and humble opinion, I also think there is a genetic component as I believe I saw a study where orange cats were over-represented and I personally have a friend who has sibling cats and each has developed a fibrosarcoma.

I hope this helps!   You guys, fortunately or unfortunately, have hit a hot button topic for me!  (and that's a good thing!)

[Maddie6]

Hi,
Thank you again for the information on vaccines and for the studies on the risks of tumors in cats.  This helps a lot.  I have a neighbor with a 10 year old Persian cat that hasn't had vaccinations for her cat for some time because of the risk of tumors.  I will share this info with her.   Thanks again.  

[heatherlynn22]

thanks for all the info!! it's great to have everything clarified. are there any additional vaccines i should get for her once we get the puppy? or anything we should worry about her possibly catching from the pup? or even the pup catching from her. of course the pup (we haven't decided on a name for her when we do get her) will be going outdoors and there are so many things i never worried about before (when i was younger my mom of course took care of all of this stuff).

[Thomas Dock, Vet. Technician]

I think its so great that you are thinking about all of these things ahead of time!  You are certainly a great pet parent!

There really aren't too many diseases that pass easily between dogs and cats (thankfully).   The bigger concern you will want to watch is if the pup brings in fleas.   So,definitely keep both pets on a flea preventive and they should both be on heartworm preventive as well.

Good luck with  your furry family!

[FurballsMom]

Do you have any theories as to why my red point Siamese ended up with Colitis that simply didn't improve with steroid medications?  Her vet told me that he thought it had turned into colon cancer at some point.  I had to finally decide to put her to sleep when it was obvious that she wasn't going to get any better and was starting to suffer.  I had even almost lost her twice before.  One time she had become dangerously underweight.  At that time I did manage to get her to gain a pound, which did save her life and give me some extra time with her.  Is it possible that red point Siamese cats are kind of fragile in comparison to even the other Siamese cats?

[heatherlynn22]

should venus get the flea treatment as well even though she doesn't go outside?

[opus88]

Hi...I had a purebred RAGDOLL same as everything u wrote out,...didn't respond to steroids either in fact in made her worse.

[opus88]

Hi I downloaded the website mentioned above and thats useful info thx.
I would also like to know if you know of a site for the CVMA in canada that states the laws regarding revaccinations in adult cats?
I've tried a few sites but all I get is general care info..
Hey buy the way, its just marvelous to have you here!!!

[Thomas Dock, Vet. Technician]

opus and furballsmom:  That kind of question is really beyond what I should really talk about.   BUT...I bet our veterinarians in the Ask A Vet Expert section would have some opinions or ideas for you!  :-)

Heatherlynn:  Definitely yes!!   The puppy will bring in adult fleas who can potentially lay eggs and infest the environment indoors.   Then, as those eggs hatch to larvae and the larvae pupate to adults, the newly hatched adult fleas can then attack Venus and perpetuate the cycle.

Some might question this because if the puppy is treated with a good flea medicine, the fleas SHOULD die before laying an eggs.   But, remember this, a single female flea can lay more than 100 eggs daily and up to about 2000 or so in her lifetime.   So, even though the puppy is protected and SHOULDN'T bring any reproducing fleas into the house, very little about life is 100% and that single flea could infest your home very quickly.   My opinion is that it is definitely worth the cost to keep protected.

hope this helps!!

[FurballsMom]

Thanks for your response.  I'm sorry you lost your ragdoll to Colitis/colon cancer.  I know what you had to go through when you were trying to treat your furry family member before you lost your kitty.  I know you had to make the same decision I had to make at some point in your kitty's battle with this dreaded illness.