Should I Vaccinate My Cat?

The following article was written to give you information for you to use to talk to your veterinarian and make the best informed decision possible for your cat.

Cats and Vaccines

by Coastal Cat Clinic

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? With which vaccines and how often? These questions are best answered after a talk with your veterinarian. Because of the need to tailor vaccines to your cats lifestyle and to consider the risk factors and the presence of underlying diseases, it is necessary for you and your vet to decide what is best for your cat.
In the past, veterinarians used to vaccinate all cats on an annual basis. This practice was called into question in the 1990s when veterinarians began to notice some cats getting cancers where vaccines had been previously administered. These locally aggressive cancers would occur even several years after vaccination. Since then, veterinary organizations such as AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) and AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) have taken a long, hard look at vaccines in determining what is appropriate for dogs and cats.
Based on extensive research, the AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners) has developed feline vaccine protocols, and most veterinarians are now following these guidelines.
Vaccine administration sites have also changed. While all vaccines used to be given under the skin in between the shoulder blades, the current recommendation is to give vaccines at separate sites. Some vaccines are given on the hind legs as low as possible- the right hind leg for rabies vaccine, the left hind leg for feline leukemia vaccine and the right side of the chest for the FVRCP (3 in one) vaccine. If there is a local reaction, the vaccine can be more reliably identified and if a cancer does occur, the cats life can more easily be saved.
Also, while it is generally recommended that kittens receive a series of vaccines, not all vaccines are given annually to adult cats. The FVRCP (3 in one) vaccine is given every 3-4 weeks for a total of 3 times to kittens, then every 1-3 years afterwards to adults. The FeLV (feline leukemia) vaccine is given every 2-3 weeks for a total of 2 times to kittens, then every 1-3 years afterwards to adults. The rabies vaccine, given once to cats older than 16 weeks, is valid for a year and when repeated, is valid for 3 years. But any combination of these vaccines may or may not be given, depending on your cats lifestyle, risk factor, age and health problems. There is no one vaccine protocol that is suitable for all cats.
The wide-spread use of vaccines undeniably has had some benefits, among which have been to decrease the incidence of certain diseases such as feline distemper (panleukopenia) and feline leukemia (FeLV). They have also decreased the virulence of certain infections such as rhinotracheitis and chlamydia that result in upper respiratory diseases, a common problem in cats.
Most vaccines are safe, and negative reactions to vaccines are rare. To minimize negative reactions, most veterinarians advise against giving more than two vaccines at a time. If a cat has had a negative reaction in the past, it is recommended that only one vaccine should be given at a time and the cat is premedicated with benadryl to minimize reaction.. Occasionally, a cat will be a bit lethargic for about 24-48 hours, not longer, after receiving a vaccine. Rarely, a cat can have a sudden negative reaction to a vaccine, usually immediately or within 60 minutes post vaccination. The signs can be vomiting and/or diarrhea, and this requires immediate medical attention.
In some cats, vaccines can do more harm than good. While there are still ongoing studies to determine the cause-effect relationship between vaccines and induced injury, there have been some trends noted. Some cats have an increased risk to cancer formation to some elements in some vaccines. There also seems to be a genetic predisposition to cancer formation. Just like cancer tends to run at a higher occurrence rate in some human families, cats can be similar. When one cat has had a cancer secondary to a vaccine, other related members similarly are at higher risk.
Vaccines should not be used in cats shown to have immune-mediated diseases (when the body destroys its own red blood cells or platelets). Vaccines should not be administered to any cats that are ill from feline leukemia (FeLV) or feline AIDS (FIV). There is no harm or benefit in giving the FeLV vaccine to a healthy feline leukemia positive cat. The decision to vaccinate and with which vaccines is based on your cats lifestyle and risk factor, as well cats age and any concurrent health issues.
A cat that is indoors 100% of the time has a different risk factor from cats who are indoor/out. Indoor/outdoors cats have varying degrees of risk, depending on whether they stay close to home when outdoors or tend to roam. The frequency of interaction with other cats and wildlife, whether this be nose-to-nose contact, fights resulting in bite wounds or abscesses, scuffles with raccoons or other wildlife or hunting prey (rodents, birds, snakes) is also an important variable. Additionally, if there are other cats in the same household and if those other individuals are indoor/outdoor, there is increased risk for spread of disease
Many cats that "just got sick" and are brought to the veterinarian for care have actually been ill for months. Cats generally tend to hide their diseases so that they show signs only when the disease has reached a certain stage, and the cat can no longer cope with it. Thus, it is very important to screen for diseases on a regular basis once a cat reaches middle-age (i.e. 6-7 years old). For many older cats, the annual vaccines should be replaced by an annual blood and urine test and radiographs to check for diseases, just like our doctors do for ourselves as we age. Lab tests are especially helpful to check for the presence of hyperthyroidism, kidney failure and diabetes since 80% of older cats come down with one or more of these.
While blood and urine tests give a "snapshot" as to your cats bodily functions physiologically, radiographs are helpful to give insight as to your cats structural function (heart size, lung density, thickness of gut loops, intestinal gas pattern, kidney size, presence of bladder/kidney stones and the presence of tumors). All this information is important in determining if your older cat is indeed healthy or has a medical problem that should be addressed before vaccines are considered.
Because of the complexity of this issue, it is best for you to talk with your veterinarian about which, if any, vaccines are appropriate for your cat.
The above is general veterinary information. Do not begin any course of treatment without consulting your regular veterinarian. All animals should be examined at least once every 12 months.

Linda Mar Veterinary Hospital and its cat-only affiliate, Coastal Cat Clinic, are small animal practices located in Pacifica, California. To find a veterinarian or to learn more about the vet clinic and our staff, visit:[http://lindamarvet.com/]

Kittens as Pets

Undecided as to whether or not you should adopt or purchase a kitten? Well, the following article will help you make up your mind. Enjoy:)

Why Should We Get Kittens as Pets?

by Mary Majorda

Kittens are and have always been adorable creatures. Of course, these youngsters are also playful, naughty and mischievous as well. Perhaps that’s the reason why people are attracted to them, as they entertain us with their peculiar antics and curiosity. Cats and dogs have been found to relieve humans of stress and make great companions at home. Of course, choosing between a cat and a dog is totally a personal choice.Why should we get a kitten then? Well, for one thing, they are cute and adorable and are less active as compared to dogs. They recognize us as their masters but do not overly show their enthusiasm like dogs. That’s why they make you work for their affection all the time, instead of the other way around.Kittens are small in size and therefore easy to carry around. This makes it easy for you to take your cat around in your car or when you need to take your cat with you outside. However, cats and kittens have tendencies to seek ways to escape from your home and therefore this may prove to a problem if your cat keeps trying to make its way out of your house. With this, many owners let their cats roam in and out of their houses, and most of the time, their pets return home on time for dinner. Sometimes, they even bring home their own prey for dinner.Kittens and cats bury their own waste in the sand box, so that you don’t have to take after them, unlike dogs. They can be trained to use the sand box which you just need to have a change of sand once in a while. On the other hand, kittens also each much less than dogs, and therefore cost less in maintenance. They are usually non-aggressive, and will be less likely to bite anyone. However, they may get irritated with human behavior and sometimes may want to be left alone. With this, they can scratch with their sharp claws if they are not happy.Kittens can’t be trained be trained. They just won't listen. That is why you will not need to send your cat to cat school to be trained. This will also mean that you don't have to spend money getting your cat trained. Cats and kittens also do not bark and therefore are suitable for apartment or condominiums where they won’t even wake up the neighbours.One thing about cats is their nature to wander around their neighborhood which may get them into trouble sometimes. With this, they may get knocked down by a car or be involved in accidents. Apart from this, cats also can get sick, especially when they wander outside and eat material from outside the home. You will then need to pay for your cat's medical bills, although it will not cost you as much if you were to have a dog.Finally, kittens do not need you to exercise them like dogs. They don't need to be taken out for walks and they don't make demands on you as well. They live their own lives, but do need to be pat once in a while. If you are a cat person, you will definitely understand them! Look at the adorable cute little kittens and cats!

Mary Majorda of California has lived along with kittens since as long as she can remember. She got her 1st kitten at the age of 2 as a birthday gift from her dad and since then she hasn't parted from cats and kittens. Besides having a family of a husband, 2 kids and 4 kittens, her love for them has pursued her to become a vet.