Cat vaccines?

[indysteel]

So, last year, our then-two year old cat developed a lump at the injection site for her rabies vaccine. She also received a distemper shot that day and was lethargic for the next 24 hours. In a panic and fearful of VAS (vaccined associated sarcoma), I called the vet when the lump appeared and was instructed to keep tabs on it over the following weeks. It eventually went away. But we agreed at the time that we might need to rethink her vaccination schedule and consider administering Benadryl prior to any vaccines.

Fast forward to this year. Prior to making Izzy's appointment, I did some research on rabies vaccines. I'm sorry to say that I'd previously not given it a ton of thought. Anyway, what i learned is that a lot of vets have switched over to non-adjuvant vaccines and that there's only one on the market right now for rabies--Purevax by Mercial--and that the vaccine currently must be given annual for full efficacy and compliance with state law as it's not been show to be effective for a full three years. There are, however, adjuvant vaccines that are approved for use every three years.

So, with that information in hand, I called my vet today and discussed what protocol to follow this year. She assured me that she only used adjuvant-free vaccines. She then suggested using a three-year formula of it. Uh, what? I explained to her that my research indicated that there was no such animal (pun intended). She responded that perhaps my sources where outdated. I conceded that point and the phone call ended. Stupidly, I didn't ask her for the actual product name of what she uses.

But after the call, I went back to my research. Admittedly, a lot of what I found on the web dates back to 2010/2011--when Purevax first came onto the market. But I found nothing stating that a newer, 3-year non-adjuvant vaccine has since come onto the market. And, frankly, I would expect to read something--as this has been a hot topic for a while. And if it is a new product, I'm surprised she didn't just say "yes, that was the case until this past spring with Purevax was finally approved for a 3-year protocol" or something to that effect.

Now as an attorney, I'm sensitive to being challenged by someone outside the profession. But I couldn't sleep at night if I thought I was harming Izzy simple because I didn't want to be confrontational with my vet. So, I just left a message pressing her on this point. Specifically, I asked for the name of the actual product they use. I don't know what I'm going to do if it turns out she, rather than me, was misinformed. This is a big thing to be misinformed about and as much as I really, really like her, I'd find a new vet if it came to it (but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it).

So, my question is: Are any of the cat owners here aware of a three-year adjuvant-free rabies vaccine such that I should be prepared to eat crow?

[roadie gal]

I don't know about the specific vaccine, but is your cat an inside cat? If she is, is there any reason to give ANY vaccines? Both of our cats are strictly inside. After about 7 years of vaccines for the older one, and 3 years for the younger one, we've decided that's enough.

[Owlie]

Roadie gal, it depends on the state/county laws. Some places say that you do have to vaccinate even indoor cats. What if the cat gets out or is exposed to an indoor/outdoor cat, etc?

I cannot imagine that there's a non-adjuvant vaccine that lasts for three years, owing to the fact that it's adjuvant-free.

[indysteel]

I used to go that route, but it's not my preferred route at this time for a variety of reasons.

ETA: Sorry I was cryptic. I am willing, as is my vet, to not vaccinate at all or less frequently for certain diseases, but foregoing rabies has proven problematic. I want my cats seen at least annually, and the vets I've worked with are not open to treating my cats if they are not rabies vaccinated. Plus, while our cats are inside cats, we have lots of wild and stray animals come through our backyard, and some into the house itself (mice in the house and raccoons in the attic), I'm not willing to risk it. When I lived in an urban environment, I worried less. But it's like a zoo around here.

[indysteel]

I cannot imagine that there's a non-adjuvant vaccine that lasts for three years, owing to the fact that it's adjuvant-free.

Exactly. My understanding is that the testing they've done on Purevax to test it's efficacy over a longer period has been inconclusive and, thus, it has not been approved for anything but annual dosing.

[Owlie]

Indeed. I would think that in some animals, it works for longer than a year, but I don't think that would be case for a majority.

[Helene2013]

I do not have the answer to your specific question but I don't know if you know of or read information from Dr. Jean Dodds. She is an excellent source of information. She even has protocols set for when/how we should vaccinate our pets. I wrote to her a few times for breed reactions to vaccinations and she is very fast to reply to us (at least a few years ago). Very much dedicated vet (no longer practicing I think - but still very involved in the world of researching, etc re: vaccines.

http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/DODDS-CHG-VACC-PROTOCOLS.HTM

Vaccinations for my cats and dogs are minimal. If it was not because we travel across Canada/USA with our cats and dogs they would get titers (blood test to tell what is left as immunization). But because of the law, we have to vaccinate every 3 years. It is a shame as we know the vaccine can last much more longer than this. They no longer get any type of shots, but for rabies, because in some States it is mandatory and would be a hassle crossing Canada/USA borders without those certificates. But for the rest of vaccination, I work with titering.

Another excellent source of information is from
Kris L. Christine, Founder, Co-Trustee
THE RABIES CHALLENGE FUND
www.RabiesChallengeFund.org

She works really hard at making sure we stop abusing vaccination in animals.

Good luck in getting the answers your are looking for. But unless mandatory, and even if it was (except for crossing borders), my pets would no longer receive vaccinations once their puppy ones were given. Too many risks involved. But that's me. :p

[OakLeaf]

If that's the case, I have no idea what an antibody titer might cost, but it could be worth it.

[indysteel]

Oak, that doesn't address the vet's issue with compliance with the law. No compliance, at least around here, means that they refuse further treatment. While Indiana allows for rabies vaccination every three years, it has to be by way of a vaccine approved for such use, which brings me to the crux of my original question.

[TrekDianna]

I don't know about the specific vaccine, but is your cat an inside cat? If she is, is there any reason to give ANY vaccines? Both of our cats are strictly inside. After about 7 years of vaccines for the older one, and 3 years for the younger one, we've decided that's enough.

My inside cats ALWAYS get rabies vaccines. Over the last few years there have been at least two bats that I know of that have gotten into the house and met their end via the cats.

They used to get three year vaccines, but my vet switched them to yearly - she said the three year was not effective in her opinion.

[indysteel]

Hmmm; I see that the company that makes Purevax also makes a one and three-year preservative free rabies vaccine. I wonder if thst's what has my vet confused--not that that's comforting. But adjuvant is not a preservative.

The more I read, the more I think my vet is wrong. I don't know where that leaves me. I love this practice, but being wrong about something as crucial as this is unsettling. I hope she calls me back soon.

[indysteel]

My inside cats ALWAYS get rabies vaccines. Over the last few years there have been at least two bats that I know of that have gotten into the house and met their end via the cats.

They used to get three year vaccines, but my vet switched them to yearly - she said the three year was not effective in her opinion.
It might be wise to make sure she's using Purevax (or, if there is any other adjuvant free vaccine). Annual dosing of an adjuvant vaccine poses the highest risk for sarcoma in cats.

[Koronin]

My vet told me either last year or the year before they are working on a 3 yr rabies vaccine that is non adjuvant, but it is not ready yet. Or at least it wasn't a few months ago.
State law in NC requires rabbies vacine. The ONLY way to not have to get a cat (even an indoor only cat) vacinated is they have to be on the medial exemption list. My oldest cat due to all her health issues was very close to getting put on that list. She's finally doing pretty well at this point. This particlar one only gets rabbies, she doesn't get anything else, the other two get distemper shots as well.

[indysteel]

My vet called. I was right. She apologized that she had gotten confused, but indicated that the clinic does not use Purevax vaccines, rablies for otherwise. Which means that not only was she wrong in insisting that there was a 3-year version of it, but in insisting that the clinic "only" uses non-adjuvanted vaccines. It seems to me that that's a pretty significant thing to be wrong about. She encouraged me to find a vet for Izzy that offers Purevax (which I have done), but it leaves me with a big quandry. I've otherwise liked working with this clinic and they've taken very good care of Henry (my 14 year old cat) for a variety of issues, some of which have been serious. As he ages, having a nearby vet with several docs, emergency hours, generous regular hours is a good thing. So I don't know that I want to severe ties with them, but at the same time, I'm troubled by her lapse and by the clinic's apparent decision to use adjuvanted vaccines and not at least informing and offering their clients the safer choice. So, I don't know what to do. The only other clinic in town does not use Purevax. The clinic we're taking Izzy to is about 20 minutes away.

[thekarens]

I think with any doctor, including animal doctors, you have to be your own advocate. If you've been happy otherwise I wouldn't cut ties. I'd continue to use them for stuff you're comfortable with and just keep an eye on them.

[PamNY]

Did she say why the clinic doesn't offer Purevax? That would trouble me more than her being confused.

[indysteel]

Did she say why the clinic doesn't offer Purevax? That would trouble me more than her being confused.

No; they don't carry it. I'm still trying to get my head around it. I recognize that it's a rural vet and cost is often THE driver for their clients, but everything I've read suggests that Purevax is becoming the standard for discerning practices. The other vet clinic in town doesn't use it either. :(

[malkin]

I think with any doctor, including animal doctors, you have to be your own advocate. If you've been happy otherwise I wouldn't cut ties. I'd continue to use them for stuff you're comfortable with and just keep an eye on them.

Be like Ronald Reagan!
"Trust, but verify."

[newfsmith]

As a vet tech in charge of ordering, yes, Purevax is 6 times the cost of the adjuvented vaccines. It has been around at least since 2000 when I moved to my present practice. I think it was introduced mid to late '90's. In the 13 years since I joined this practice, the only fibrosarcoma we have seen was around a microchip. However, not all fibrosarcomas are vaccine induced. For instance, I have a friend whose cat had FS on it's nose. For sure no one vaccinated it there.

[indysteel]

Thanks for perspective, newfsmith. Yes, I realize it's rare, but with a cat who has already had a lump form from a vaccine, I'm not willing to take more chances than I have to. Some vet practices only use Purevax, so I'm not alone in deciding it is the better option for my cat. My regular vet was able to secure a dose of it from another office, so I think the situation turned out okay.