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Experts all agree that decreasing the injections for cats is beneficial but they are not in agreement on which type of rabies vaccine is best. Some veterinarians recommend a 3 year rabies rabies injection to minimize the number of injections. Other veterinarians believe an adjuvant-free
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injection called Purevax which requires a yearly booster is the better alternative. Adjuvants are believed to cause tumors in cats.
Most states require an annual vaccination for rabies but do not specify the type of vaccination. Public Health officials lean toward the 3-year vaccination because it provides longer protection for the cat. If a cat is bitten by a rabid animal or is rabid and bites someone, the cat will require isolation and observation.
Approximately 36% of the cats in the United States did not receive an annual visit to the veterinarian compare to 17% of dogs. Annual visits are important not only for vaccinations but for early detection of thyroid or kidney problems, dental diseases, parasites and other conditions. These conditions if gone unchecked can be costly to treat and shorten the life of a cat.
Sunny, Sinclair and I are all in favor of a good, long healthy life.
Three of 10,000 estimated cats will develop cancerous tumors caused by vaccine shots. The tumors will develop where the cat gets shots for rabies and feline leukemia. Veterinary expects recommend limiting the number and frequency of the shots. The shots
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should be given in the leg not the shoulder area. If a tumor develops, the cat can survive by amputation to the leg. Researchers found 53% of the tumors were in the shoulder area. When the recommendation to give the shots in the leg was adopted, the occurrences in the shoulder area dropped to 39%.
The tumors developed by vaccinations are a problem for cats but seldom occur in dogs. The tumors, called fibrosarcomas, can be aggressive and spread rapidly. If the tumors are found early, the tumors can be treated with radiation and surgery. The survival rate is good when treated early depending on where the tumors are. As mentioned before, tumors in the legs are much easier to treat than in the shoulder area. The cost of the treatment can range from $2000 to $4000. Pet insurance will usually cover the cost.
If a lump develops in a cat especially in the area where the cat has gotten shots, do not assume it will go away. Instead, consult your veterinarian immediately to verify the cause of the lump. Like most medical problems, early detection greatly increases the chances for curing the problem. Discuss this issue with your veterinarian to insure the shots given to your cat are safe and will minimize the risk of tumors.
Guidelines for vaccines as recommended by the American Association of Feline Practitioners are as follows :
Vaccines for panleukopenia, feline herpesvirus, feline calicivirus and rabies are recommended for all cats.
Vaccines for feline leukemia virus, feline immunodeficiency, chlamydiosis and bordetellosis are recommended depending on the cat’s age, health and contact with other cats.
Vaccines for feline infectious peritonitis and giardiasis are not recommended.
Sunny, Midnite and I will discuss these issues with the veterinarian at our next visit.
Many people do not realize that cats have predatory habits that date back to ancient times. The cat’s ability to catch and kill disease carrying rodents led to their being domesticated. The cat gained popularity in the household because it could rid it of vermin. Even today, people who have barns make
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sure there are cats around to keep mice, rats, rabbits and other animals away from the barn.
A house cat is born with the instinct to hunt. A cat will kill its prey by biting the back of the neck and severing the spinal cord of the prey. House cats tend not to be as quick. They will usually play with their prey and eventually by whatever means kill it. Because the house cat is fed well, it may not eat it’s prey. House cats will leave the prey as a gift to it’s owner. House cats tend not to seek out their prey but if one crosses their path, they will attack.
Being an indoor cat, I have little opportunity to catch anything but bugs. One day a mouse happened to get in the house. It was left dead on the kitchen floor. Although rare, a house cat will use it’s instinctive abilities.
I know what a lot of you were thinking when you read the title of this article. Well, I’m not going there. I want to talk about the house I live in. The house is warm and comfortable and I share it with two other cats, Sinclair and Sunny.
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There are plenty of toys to play with. Plenty of places to sleep. Plenty of plants to eat. I almost forgot, there is a beta fish in the kitchen. He would make a good meal but I cannot get at him.
It is an ordinary house with all the rooms on one floor. What makes it special is I can call it my house. So whenever you are in the neighborhood, stop in and see us.
Hi,
I just had a traumatic experience. I was lying on the floor minding my own business when my owner stepped on me. He stepped on one of my paws.
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As soon as that happened, off I ran. I did not get hurt but it did smart. Sometimes we cats pick the darnest places to lie. Being small, we can be hard to see. Other times we want to rub against people. In either case, disaster can happen. Either we get stepped on or people trip over us.
I am now safe in a corner licking my paw. My owner was concerned he may have injured me but everything seems to be ok. I will be more careful in picking a place to lie and make sure it is not in areas where people generally walk. As far as rubbing against people, that habit will probably not change.
