[Robb]

Hi
what do most people do? Not intending to ever use a cattery but should I still have my cats vaccinated?
If so, what particular vaccinations are best?
Robb

[doganjo]

My old cat (aged 20) died a couple of weeks ago, never had jabs while i had him, but he had the basic ones as a kitten i believe (got him from a friend)

I'm thinking of getting another one from Cats Protection when they reopen, and I think they insist on the first ones - biut whether they check annually or not I don't know

[Steph Hen]

I’m not going to.

[bj_cardiff]

My cats are all semi feral and from the cats protection, I think they have at least one injection of vaccs done then they are neutered. I've never asked because mine are a bit wild and couldn't be cought!

[roddycm]

There is much debate on this subject but the new thinking is that once a dog or cat is vaccinated (puppy or kitten plan) and has its first booster a year later they may not need further vaccinations. Other advice includes vaccinating every three years. Vaccinating is a real money-spinner so it is hard to get the real answer.

I think giving a kitten its shots and then the appropriate booster seems about right for a farm cat. I would not have an outdoor cat without at least giving it shots for FIV.

[sabrina]

All my dogs and cats get theirs when young and that is that. We have had cats 17/18 years old and dogs 13 to 16 years old. We get someone in to look after our animals when we go away. Cheaper than kennels.

[Robb]

Thanks for the input

Just rounding off what I decided to do if anyone looks subsequently at thread.

On basis of input from this site - and reading round the interweb - i decided I would get them the initial vaccination and booster but decide after that decide whether to continue

Many thansk to accidental smallholder people

[in the hills]

Sorry, coming to this a bit late.


I thought that there wasn't a vaccination for FIV in cats available in the UK.

[doganjo]

There is no vaccine available currently in the UK. A vaccine is used in the United States, but it is not reliable and it does not work against all the types of FIV. It also poses problems for vets because a vaccinated cat will test positive for FIV.
It doesn't necessariily reduce lifespan, but they are prone to other infections that could kill, and mustn't be fed raw foods such as eggs and meat in case of bacteris getting into them

[in the hills]

Thank you Doganjo for clarifying that.


Mine is vaccinated but I thought that the vet had said there wasn't a vaccine for FIV.
Thought there might have been a new vaccine introduced when binread this thread.

[doganjo]

I must admit it was about a year and a half ago that I asked my vet about this so things may have changed

[violetgarlic]

I didn't vaccinate my cat because we live in the apartment but since we are moving to the house, I think that I need to vaccinate him because he can walk outside

[smallholder147]

Hi I was reading your post because I had the same problem weeks ago. I didn't know what is neccessary. But now I know, cats should be at least protected against cat disease (feline parvovirus). Mostly cats received combination vaccines against epidemic and cold. The disease vaccines are also very related.

It is recommended to vaccinate cats in any case against cat disease and cat flu, as well as in outdoor animals against rabies. Further vaccinations against leukosis and "Feline Infectious Peritonitis" (= FIP) can be given if necessary.

[Steph Hen]

How come cats have managed for hundreds of years but now they need all these jabs? Has the life expectancy increased much?

In particular, do outdoor cats really need a rabies jab?
Has anyone contracted rabies via their cat in the Uk? Or is this perceived problem?

Im sure vaccines saved some lives but I’ve talked to too many old people who told me about really old cats, dogs and horses they’d had until the animals were old. They talked about animals being inherited by other family members and then being  passed to them. When I looked at the human death certificates of my family this equates to these two cats being nineteen. Ponies of 35.
They do/did all agree spaying females was a blessing when it became available.

[Rosemary]

I guess it's the old argument of "my grandad ate fatty bacon and smoked 20 fags every day and lived to 99". There are always exceptions. Mine have an annual health check and vaccinated for FeIV and other stuff. So are the dogs (not FIV obvs). Ponies done for tet every two years (not flu).
You pays your money and you takes your chances. I vaccinate sheep every year. Why would I not protect my pets?