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Question
Maybe this is a "vet question" but... based on your extensive experience as a breeder and judge what do you feel would the most relevant vaccinations to give my 2 now one year old indoor only neutered male Tonkinese cats? I am concerned about adverse reactions, especially in this breed. I am feeling that "less is probably best".
Judy,
Depending on your jurisdiction, rabies vaccination may be required by law. If so, you should have your vet use an adjuvant free rabies vaccine as these have been implicated in needle site sarcoma problems in cats. If possible, a 3 year rabies is best for the cat.
The only other vaccine an indoor cat may need is a modified live 3 in 1 vaccine (panleukopenia, calici, rhinotracheitis). We like the FVR-CP vaccine put out by Scherring-Plough.
We like to have multiple vaccinations given at least 3 weeks apart. Also, we like the shot given intra-muscular in the thigh muscle of a hind leg. Thus, if there is a needle site sarcoma problem, it can be dealt with by amputation of a hind leg. If the shot is given subcutaneously in the scruff of the neck, needle point sarcoma is almost always fatal! The two vaccines implicated in needle site sarcoma are rabies and FeLV, and mostly because of the adjuvant.
For a two year old the 3 in 1 can be given again at age 3, then not until age 7, then not again. This is a relatively new vaccination protocol mostly due to studies sponsored by the American Association of Feline Practitioners:
http://www.catvets.com/professionals/guidelines/publications/?Id=176
For more general information see:
http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/Health/Vaccinations.html
Best regards... Norm.
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thank you, Norm for your very prompt and informative reply. "We" (i.e. the average dog/cat owner)never seemed to think about sarcomas and long term adverse implications of vaccines etc. etc. in the past. I think most of us simply took our trusted vet's(I am sure very well meaning)advice without question. No wonder there has been such a rise in cancers, allergies etc. over the past few years. I live in Toronto, Canada so I am not sure what our current Canadian protocols dictate vs. the U.S. Regardless, I intend to ask a lot more questions now than I have in the past with my animals. I am very grateful for your comments. Judy P.S. You may be interested to hear that my Tonk breeder gave me very similar advice to your's! | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Norman Auspitz
Expertise
I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.
Experience
I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.
Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.
Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook
Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.
Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.
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