What happens if I don t vaccinate my indoor cat

Are Vaccines Necessary For Indoor Cats?

Question:

My cat lives indoors. Are vaccines necessary?

Answer:

Like many veterinarians, I wish I had a quick and simple answer, but there is no one size fits all solution to the complex (and sometimes controversial) question of what vaccines should be given to cats. Some people hesitate to vaccinate their cats due to concerns about over-vaccination and a type of tumor called a vaccine-associated sarcoma. Some cats are really difficult to take to a veterinary hospital. However, it is important to discuss your cats individual risk factors with your veterinarian before skipping any shots.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners vaccination guideline recommends that kittens get a full series of vaccinations against panleukopenia, feline herpes type 1, calicivirus, feline leukemia, and rabies followed by a booster one year later. The type and frequency of vaccines given after that point varies considerably, depending on a cats lifestyle, and where you live. If your cat is truly 100% indoors, and does not have contact with indoor-outdoor cats, the current recommendation is to continue to receive boosters for panleukopenia, feline herpes type 1, calicivirus every 3 years, as these diseases do not require direct cat-to-cat contact to spread.

Also rabies vaccination should be in compliance with local legal requirements. Even if rabies is not mandatory where you live, there are other reasons to give it to an indoor-only cat: if it is likely that wildlife (especially bats) might come into your home, if it is likely your cat might bite a person, or if you may be taking your cat overseas within a year.

If your cats risk of disease exposure warrants more vaccines and more frequent vaccination, talk to your veterinarian about newer types of vaccines (such as non-adjuvented and transdermal vaccines) that reduce the risk of sarcomas. And for cats who dont want to make the trip to the hospital, find a doctor who will come to you! House-call veterinarians are available in many areas.

Cat Vaccination Myths and Misunderstandings

That adorable kitten youve just adopted depends on you to keep them happy and healthy, which means providing a cat-friendly home, a healthy diet, and lots of love. Another vital aspect of this care is vaccination. However, its not unusual for cat guardians to misunderstand which cats need which vaccines and when, plus what protection vaccination offers. So, lets explore some common myths and misunderstandings to set the record straight about cat vaccination.

Myth: Kitten vaccines protect for life

There is a widely held misunderstanding that vaccinating a kitten gives them immunity for life. This is false. Many perfectly well-meaning cat parents dont get their cats booster shots because they dont realize immunity wanes with time.

Booster shots are important to maintain the cats protection against disease. We know this by looking at blood antibody titers, which show levels fall over time to the point where they are no longer detectable.

Once this happens, if the cat encounters infection, they are potentially at risk because the immune system may no longer remember how to fight against the bug.

How long a cat remains protected varies between individuals, and there are many variable factors that influence this. So rather than put the cat through blood tests each year, manufacturers did a lot of research to check out the average protection time and when a booster dose is needed.

It is this data that the vet uses when advising a cat parent that their cat needs another shot.

Myth: Older cats no longer need vaccination

Your senior cat has been vaccinated all their life. Surely, in their old age, they have built up enough immunity to skip the booster?

Actually, no. While this is a logical argument, sadly this isnt the case.

Firstly, even with a healthy, strong immune system, the protection drops over time and needs boosting.

Secondly, older animals have weaker immune systems. This means they are less able to fight infections and depend more on vaccine protection, rather than less. Thus, it becomes more important, not less, for seniors to get their booster shot.

Myth: Indoor cats dont need to be vaccinated

Wrong! (Well, mostly.)

Some of the nastier viruses, such as feline panleukopenia virus, are equivalent to a super-villain in terms of toughness. They can survive on sidewalks in all weathers for long periods of time. If you walk on the virus, you can bring it indoors on your shoes, so not even indoor cats are safe.

Therein lies the crunch. An indoor cat is at low risk but not no risk. However, your veterinarian will risk asses the cat and may opt out of vaccinating against conditions that require close contact to spread, such as feline leukemia virus.

Myth: We over-vaccinate cats

Many people worry about over-vaccination in pets. Its a concern veterinarians take very seriously. This is why vets avoid unnecessary vaccinations by adapting vaccine protocols to meet each individual cats risk factor and how long immunity lasts to a particular virus.

To do this, vets divide the vaccine components into core and non-core. This simply means essential and non-essential. For example, vaccination against rabies is core, whereas protection against feline leukemia virus is non-core for an indoor cat.

In terms of how often to repeat a dose with a booster shot, this is decided by how long protection lasts. For example, protection against feline leukemia lasts one year, and requires a yearly booster, while protection against cat flu lasts for three years.

Myth: Vaccines do more harm than good

Every responsible cat parent should make an informed decision about whats best for their pet as an individual. However, when weighing up the pros and cons of vaccination, its relevant to know the benefits far outweigh the risks.

Diseases such as cat flu, distemper, and feline leukemia are still out there and have life-changing consequences. Balance this against the risks of vaccination which can be divided into common-but-mild reactions and rare-but-serious, as outlined below.

Swelling

After a vaccine, around one in 10 cats experience a soft swelling at the injection site. This is a temporary lump that goes away after a couple of weeks and nothing to worry about.

Limping

This reaction mainly affects young kittens, usually at their first vaccination. Its thought to be due to the Calici virus ingredient part of cat flu and the immune system registering the vaccine.

Affected kittens may run a mild fever, limp, and go off their food. The effect lasts for two to three days and then resolves of its own accord.

It is usually a one-off event and doesnt recur with subsequent vaccines.

Feline Injection Site Sarcomas (FISS)

There is no denying these injection-related tumors are serious. Studies show that this is a rare complication of injection, affecting approximately one to four in every 100,000 cats.

Since vaccines are one of the most frequently administered injections, FISS has become linked to vaccination but can occasionally occur with other injections, such as long-acting antibiotics or steroids.

To reduce this risk, vets take care to tailor vaccine protocols to the individual to reduce unnecessary vaccinations. They also give vaccines in an extremity, such as a back leg, and each year record where the injection was placed, so any suspicious swelling can be linked back to the injection and monitored.

When alls said and done, its up to each cat parent to make an informed decision about whats best for their pet. But just be sure to base that decision on the facts, rather than fiction, of cat vaccinations.

Do I Need to Get My Indoor Cat Vaccinated? Vet Approved Facts & Safety Guide

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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If your cat is an indoor cat that rarely ventures outside, their chances of injury and illness are likely lower, but does this mean they wont need to be protected against any potential diseases?

Veterinarians recommend all cat get their core vaccines. These vaccines protect cats against widely distributed diseases that have a high mortality rate. A cats core vaccines are feline herpes virus vaccine 1 (FHV-1), feline calicivirus vaccine (FCV), feline panleukopenia virus vaccine (FPV), rabies, and feline leukemia virus vaccine (FeLV). Believe it or not, even your indoor cat is at risk of contracting the disease through fomites, and this is the term used for third objects that work as a transportation system for a pathogenic virus. Thats right, even if your cat does not have contact with other cats, you could certainly bring a virus home on your clothing or shoes!

This article discusses vaccines, their pros and cons, and how you can make the best and safest decision for your cat.

Vaccine Overview

Vaccines are one of the most controversial topics when it comes to both humans and animals, and making the right decision can be a stressful and confusing process for pet owners.

It is essential to understand that no vaccine is 100% safe, and its also important to be aware and acknowledge that vaccines also save lives. Vaccines are preparations of microbes, like bacteria or viruses, that have been manipulated or inactivated so that they dont cause a disease process. By administering these vaccines to the animal, it trains the immune system to protect against the agents targeted by the vaccine.

There are two classifications of cat vaccinations: core and non-core vaccinations. Core vaccinations are recommended for all cats to protect them from common and severe conditions.

They include:

• Rabies: Rabies kills several mammals every year, and there is no cure. Rabies vaccinations are required in most states in America.
• Calicivirus, Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, and Panleukopenia (FVRCP): This combination vaccine, commonly known as the distemper shot, protects against viral infection rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia.
• Type I feline herpesvirus (FHV, FHV-1): This is the leading cause of upper respiratory infections.
• Feline Leukemia Virus (Felv): This vaccine is considered a core vaccine for kittens and young adult cats under 1 year of age. Even if it protects against a viral infection spread by close contact, if your cat typically stays inside, you never know if it will jump out or escape one day.

Non-core vaccinations are recommended for outdoor cats.

They include:

• Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (Felv): Also known as cats AIDS, this attacks the cats immune system and is normally spread through bites.
• Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP): Is caused by a coronavirus and normally spread through feces.
• Chlamydophila felis:Is a bacteria that causes respiratory disease in cats. It is normally transmitted from cat to cat, especially in crowded conditions.
• Bordetella: This vaccine is recommended to protect your cat from the bacteria Bordetella, which can cause upper respiratory infections that are highly contagious. Your vet may recommend this if your cat is around a lot of other animals.

What to Consider?

Before giving your pet a vaccine, you should consider your cats overall health and the risk factors it is exposed to, the prevalence of disease in your area, consequences of infection, previous vaccine reaction, vaccine efficacy, duration of immunity, and vaccine properties. As you see, even indoor cats need to be protected against certain viral agents. Its best to consult your veterinarian about your cats vaccination schedule and keep them up to date.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Vaccines

Vaccinating your cat can help protect it and other cats from serious diseases. It will also help protect people from diseases, such as rabies, that can be transmitted by cats.

Vaccinations can also have reactions that range from mild to severe. Every cat can react differently, but there are a few signs you can look out for.

• Swelling: Lumps and swelling in specific areas are also common side effects. A firm bump usually develops at the injection site. Its essential to keep an eye on it for signs of inflammation, growth, or infection. It typically passes within a week, but if it doesnt, and it has grown or seems infected, you will need to contact your vet.
• Lethargy and a mild fever: These signs should be mild and last only 1 or 2 days, but if it goes on longer than 2 days, you should consult your vet.
• Cold-like signs: Some vaccines are administered through your cats nose or eyes, which can lead to cold-like signs, such as sneezing, coughing, and a runny nose, but it should pass within a day or two.

If your cat has a severe reaction from a vaccine, the signs will appear either straight away or up to 48 hours later. These signs include facial swelling, vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing. Anaphylaxis is the most severe allergic reaction that pets can experience due to vaccinations, and it can be life threatening if not treated immediately.

Several studies have found a link between the FVRCP vaccines excessive use (hyperinoculation) and kidney inflammation. The FVRCP vaccine is made from feline kidney cells; when injected into your cat, the body recognizes them as foreign and produces antibodies.

Unfortunately, those antibodies do not distinguish between the injected kidney cells and the cats kidney tissue, which can result in an autoimmune attack on its kidneys. However, more research is needed to determine whether vaccines cause or contribute to feline kidney disease.

Keeping Your Cat Safe

Vaccines can be a vital part of keeping your cat safe, and your cat is most likely to be safe from a severe vaccine reaction.

Cats are no different from humans regarding needles, so you will need to make their visit to the vet as comfortable as possible. Use a sturdy and comfortable carrier with their favorite toy or blanket so that they can recognize the smell. Cats are sensitive and can pick up on your energy, so its important to stay as calm as possible.

When you arrive home, provide a warm, safe space for your cat to lie down and make sure they have access to water and food. Keep checking up on your cat, ensuring they are comfortable, but also try not to disturb them too much.

Adjuvants are substances added to vaccines that cause inflammation at the injection site, alerting the immune system to the presence of the vaccine. This substance can sadly cause an aggressive tumor that can be fatal, known as sarcoma. Its essential to ask your vet about the vaccines they are using and avoid vaccines with adjuvants.

If a cat requires two vaccines, they can be given at least 1 week apart. This allows time for the first vaccines inflammation to decrease before administering the second. Another valid reason for separating vaccines is that the immune system can only do so much at once.

Conclusion

There are many variables regarding vaccines, and your comfort level after research also plays a role in the decision. Core vaccinations for cats are highly recommended, especially rabies, since the disease can also be passed to humans, and there is no cure.

Cats that live indoors should also be protected since they could go roaming, escape, or be surrounded by other cats when visiting a grooming parlor or boarding facility. While all vaccines are not 100% safe, they also save lives, so weighing the pros and cons is vital to the decision-making process. At the end of the day, we all want to keep our pets safe, and its up to you as the parent to make the best-informed decision.

Featured Image Credit: Melanie Hogue, Pixabay