Giving Injections To Cats
Certain medical conditions can be controlled by the use of drugs that are only available in an injectable format. Two of these conditions are:
- diabetes mellitus, which is controlled by daily insulin injections
- certain allergies, which are controlled by regular injections of allergenic extracts
In many cases, cat owners are willing and able to administer these medications at home. If you decide to provide this treatment to your cat, your veterinarian will review the specific administration technique and make sure that you are comfortable with it. The following may help you make your decision.
Is It True That Vaccines Can Cause Tumors
In rare cases, injectable vaccine and non-vaccine products have been associated with the development of a cancerous tumor called a sarcoma at injection sites in cats. We customize vaccines schedules for each cat’s risk level, and try to minimize the number of vaccines given throughout its lifetime, therefore minimizing the sarcoma risk. We also use a brand of vaccine that has minimized it’s ingredient list to help avoid reactions. It is important to discuss this issue with your veterinarian prior to your cat’s vaccinations so you can make clear and educated decisions about your cat’s health.
Why Vaccinate Your Pet
Dog vaccines and cat vaccines help protect your pet from contagious diseases, many of which can cause serious illness or death. Vaccinations are important even if your pet is kept indoors as many contagious diseases are airborne and capable of living a long time in any environment. For example, parvovirus is extremely contagious and can be transmitted by any person, animal or object that comes in contact with an infected dog’s feces. Highly resistant, the virus can live in the environment for months, and may survive on inanimate objects such as food bowls, shoes, clothes, carpet, and floors.
Disease prevention is always less costly than treating a condition your pet has developed. Returning to the example of parvovirus, treatments for that disease can frequently cost $1,000 or more while our DA2PPV dog vaccine that includes protection against parvovirus is only $25.
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Are There Any Side Effects I Should Watch For After Cat Vaccination
Most cats show no ill side effect from receiving a cat vaccine. If your cat does have a reaction, they are usually minor and short-lived. However, you should still be on the lookout for the following symptoms that might indicate negative side effects from a cat vaccine:
- Fever
- Swelling and redness around the injection site
- Lameness
- Hives
If you suspect your cat is experiencing any ill side effects from his or her cat vaccine, call us immediately so we can help you to determine whether any special care is needed.
How Do We Approach Vaccination If My Cat Has Had An Injection
Some veterinarians suggest that additional vaccines be minimized and when re-vaccination is necessary , they sometimes consider use of a non-adjuvanted or non-injectable vaccine. Many veterinarians are placing vaccines in sites that would make tumor removal easier should a FISS occur for example, placement low on the leg instead of in the interscapular space or even vaccination on the tail.
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Why Do I Need To Vaccinate My Kitten/cat
Vaccines help your cats immune system fight infections from disease-causing micro-organisms. Within some or many of these vaccines are killed micro-organisms or parts of microorganisms that will stimulate your cats immune system to produce proteins called antibodies so that when your cat encounters the actual living microorganism those antibodies will fight off the infection. The vaccine prepares the cats immune system to fight subsequent infections much more quickly and efficiently, thus either preventing infection or decreasing the severity of disease.
Kittens are even more susceptible to disease than adult cats because their immune systems are not as well developed. However, maternal antibodies help the kittens immune system fight disease until they mature and are able to create their own immune response. These antibodies help fight infection but also interfere with vaccination efforts. Thus, vaccines typically need to be administered in a series to ensure adequate coverage.
Every cat faces different infectious challenges depending on age, health status, lifestyle, and environment. This is why it is so important to work with your veterinarian to plan a vaccine protocol that is best for your cat. Recognize, however, that individual state rules dictate rabies vaccine requirements for cats. Rabies vaccination is typically done every one or three years, depending on the regulations in your area, as well as the type of vaccine used.
I Canine Vaccination Guidelines
Canine Core VaccinesCore vaccines are recommended for all puppies and dogs with an unknown vaccination history. The diseases involved have significant morbidity and mortality and are widely distributed, and in general, vaccination results in relatively good protection from disease. These include vaccines for canine parvovirus , canine distemper virus , canine adenovirus , and rabies. In addition, the leptospirosis vaccine is now recommended as a core vaccine for dogs in California because the disease has the potential to occur in any dog , can be life-threatening, and the vaccines are considered safe and efficacious, with recent improvements in safety over the last decade.
Canine Rabies Virus VaccinesIn accordance with California state law, we recommend that puppies receive a single dose of killed rabies vaccine at 12 weeks or 3 months of age. Adult dogs with unknown vaccination history should also receive a single dose of killed rabies vaccine. A booster is required one year later, and thereafter, rabies vaccination should be performed every 3 years using a vaccine approved for 3-year administration.
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Are Kitten Vaccinations And Cat Vaccinations Necessary
The answer is yes. A kitten or cat owner is responsible for the wellbeing of their feline friend this includes happiness and longevity of life. Cat vaccinations are an integral component in the longevity equation. Kitten vaccinations and cat vaccinations are medically and scientifically proven to prevent various insidious diseases.
Once My Cat Is Vaccinated Will It Need Boosters
Yes. So, immunity doesn’t last forever. In most individuals, we sometimes need to jumpstart the immune system in the form of a booster to remind us how to keep us safe from a particular disease. And so, with most cats, we recommend seeing them every three years. We like to see them every year, but we will do them every three years for rabies and the distemper combination for boosters. And then, for those cats that need the leukemia vaccine, we typically do that every two years after kittenhood.
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What Are Elective Vaccinations For Cats
Elective vaccinations are administered only to those cats that face an elevated risk of particular diseases. For instance, if your cat’s lifestyle puts him in the path of Feline Leukemia Virus, usually spread by direct contact with an infected cat, we may recommend that he receive vaccinations against this disease.
Why Do Indoor Cats Need Vaccinations
If your cat lives exclusively indoors, they will still need to be vaccinated against cat flu and panleukopenia, but may not need the FeLV vaccine. This is because FeLV only usually spreads between cats in close and regular contact, but cat flu and panleukopaenia are very infectious and can spread on clothes, shoes, and other surfaces. If you have an indoor cat, discuss their vaccinations with your vet to find the best schedule for them.
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What Diseases Can And Should I Vaccinate My Cat Against
The availability of different vaccines will vary between different countries, because some diseases are not present everywhere, and because vaccines are not necessarily licensed in every country.
The most commonly available vaccines are used to provide protection against the following infections:
If We Decide To Use A Less Frequent Vaccination Schedule How Often Should My Cat Get A Health Or Wellness Examination
Cats age at a more rapid rate than humans do. Therefore, it is important to ensure that they receive a complete physical examination on at least an annual basis. As they approach their senior years, they should receive a complete physical examination more frequently, such as twice a year. In general, a cat that is more than 10 years old is considered to be a middle-aged to senior cat.
“Regardless of the vaccine schedule that is most appropriate for your cat, he or she should be seen by your veterinarian for a wellness examination on at least an annual basis.”
Regardless of the vaccine schedule that is most appropriate for your cat, to ensure your cat receives the highest standard of care and protection, he or she should be seen by your veterinarian for a wellness examination on at least an annual basis.
| Contributors: Rania Gollakner, BS DVM Cheryl Yuill, DVM, MSc, CVH |
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Feline Injection Site Sarcomas
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 giving 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.
Does your cat have their core vaccinations? What other myths have you heard about cat vaccines? Let us know in the comments below!
Is There Any Danger If She Doesn’t Keep Still
Most owners are concerned that they may break the needle off in the skin, but this is extremely unlikely to occur. The needle may bend but it is much more likely that the injection will end up outside the pet rather than inside when dealing with a wiggly pet. If you are unsure that your pet received the full amount of the injection, contact your veterinary hospital for instructions.
Generally, if you are unsure how much you injected, do not administer more unless directed by your veterinarian.
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Rabies Vaccinations For Dogs And Cats Are Required By Law
Vaccines And Sarcomas: A Concern For Cat Owners
Vaccines can lessen the severity of future diseases and certain vaccines can prevent infection altogether, and today, a variety of vaccines are available for use by veterinarians. Any treatment carries some risk, but these risks should be weighed against the benefits of protecting your pet from potentially fatal diseases. An uncommon but serious adverse reaction that can occur with injection sites, including those sites where vaccines are administered, is tumor growth , which can develop weeks, months, or even years after a vaccination.
Although the risk of feline injection-site sarcomas is small, progress has been made over the years to help reduce that risk even further. There are some helpful resources, such as the American Association of Feline Practitioners Guidelines, that reflect recommendations on vaccinating cats in consideration of the cats specific needs, local epidemiologic factors, and in line with manufacturer directions. And today, veterinarians and owners alike expect vaccine labels to reflect accurate revaccination needs. Much of what is commonplace today was recommended by a Task Force that studied this issue and produced a report in 2001:
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Providing Your Cat With Post
Get Your Calculator Ready
You know you have to get your cat vaccinated to keep her healthy, so you might be wondering how much all those shots are going to cost you .
Not only that, but you also might want to know which vaccines your cat definitely needs and which ones she can skip.
The Dodo reached out to Dr. Chyrle Bonk, a veterinarian working with Excited Cats, and Amy Davis, owner of My Cat Needs This, to learn more about just how much youll be spending on cat vaccinations.
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Vaccination Packages For Cats
- Vaccine package: $20Includes: Rabies and FRCPC vaccinations
- Full-service package: $35Includes: Rabies and FRCPC vaccinations and a microchip. Low-cost comprehensive pet care packages keep your furry friends healthy
- Special service package: $55Includes: rabies and FRCPC vaccinations, microchip and spay/neuter surgery. Low-cost comprehensive pet care packages keep your furry friends healthy
Can A Vaccinated Cat Still Catch Cat Flu
Although vaccinations provide excellent protection, none can guarantee 100% cover. So yes, theoretically, a vaccinated cat could still catch cat flu, but it is significantly less likely. In addition to this, if a vaccinated cat catches a disease they have been vaccinated against, they are likely to develop less symptoms and have a much quicker recovery.
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Risks Associated With Vaccination
Immunizations should mildly stimulate the animals immune system in order to create protection from specific infectious diseases. This stimulation can create mild symptoms, ranging from soreness at the injection site to fever and allergic reactions.
There are other, less common side effects like injection site tumors and immune disease associated with vaccination. That said, it is important to realize that vaccines have saved countless lives, and play a vital role in the battle against infectious diseases. As with any medical procedure, there is a small chance of side effects. In most cases, the risks are much smaller than the risks of disease itself. But it is important to talk to your veterinarian about your pets medical history before he is vaccinated.
Most pets show no ill effect from vaccination. Vaccine reactions may be minor and short-lived or require immediate care from a veterinarian. Clinical signs include:
- Fever
- Pain, swelling, redness, scabbing or hair loss around the injection site
- Lameness
- Seizures
- Lameness
It is best to schedule your pets appointment so that you can monitor him for any side effects following administration of the vaccine. If you suspect your pet is having a reaction to a vaccine, call your veterinarian immediately.
Still Stumped On What Vaccines Cats Need
Take a look at these guidelines.
Steve Dale, CABC, certified animal behavior consultant, is host of several pet radio shows, appears on TV and speaks around the world. Hes author/contributor to many books, including The Cat: Clinical Medicine and Management, and board member of the Winn Feline Foundation. Blog: stevedale.tv.
Editors note: This article appeared in Catster magazine. Have you seen the new Catster print magazine in stores? Or in the waiting room of your vets office? !
Read more about cat health care on Catster.com:
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Are Vaccines Necessary For Indoor Cats
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 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.