and how much does it cost? i thought i paid when she got the first but my hospital is saying no and then saying she doesnt need it. grrrr…. anyone know more than them?
and how much does it cost? i thought i paid when she got the first but my hospital is saying no and then saying she doesnt need it. grrrr…. anyone know more than them?
November 21st, 2009 at 7:09 pm
FeLeuk is mainly a threat to kittens. By the time they reach adolescence cats should have a natural immunity to the FeLeuk virus.
People will tell you that that know cats that “caught” FeLeuk as adults, even fairly elderly adults, but the virus can be dormant for many years before it becomes symptomatic. So most of those cats who “caught” FeLeuk as adults really caught it as kittens, they just didn’t get sick until years later.
Another possibility is that a cat with a defective immune system might not develop a natural immunity to FeLeuk. But if a cat doesn’t have a properly functioning immune system, vaccines are not likely to work.
After going through Vaccine-Associated Sarcoma with my late great Rusty, I am very aware that vaccines present risks as well as benefits, and that unnecessary vaccinations should be avoided. I think the FeLeuk vaccine for a two year old cat is one that can and should be avoided.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:41 pm
If it hasn’t had the series of kitten shots then it is very iportant.
November 22nd, 2009 at 3:54 am
Even if your cat is an indoor cat, there’s always a chance somethiing happens and she ends up outside, it’s a chance to rather not take.
November 22nd, 2009 at 7:31 am
If its part of a series, then it is very important, just like having a vaccine yourself, it takes time for the medicine to completely work, and you need several doses. Since Feline leukemia is a terrible, and contagious disease, I would seek a second opinion from another vet, to be safe. Have a copy of your cat’s medical records, if possible.
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:21 am
Feline Leukemia Virus Vaccine: Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is the leading viral killer of cats. The virus is spread from cat-to-cat through bite wounds, through casual contact with infected cats, and from an infected mother cat to her kittens. The individuals most at risk of infection are outdoor cats, indoor/outdoor cats, and cats exposed to such individuals. Cats living in households with FeLV-infected cats or with cats of unknown infection status are also at risk. Indoor-only cats with no exposure to potentially infected cats are extremely unlikely to become infected. FeLV vaccines are recommended for all cats at risk of exposure to the virus.
The decision to vaccinate your cat should be based on a thorough understanding of the benefits — and the risks — of the procedure. For this reason, it is extremely important that you discuss the procedure with your veterinarian. He or she will be more than willing to answer any questions you may have, and will help you make the right vaccine choices for your cat.
November 22nd, 2009 at 3:02 pm
You only need it if your cat goes outside or has contact with other cats. If it is exclusively indoors and has no contact with other cats, then you don’t need the vaccine. The disease is a virus that is transmitted between cats and is deadly, but the vaccine is unnecessary if your cat is an indoor cat. I have an indoor cat and does not come in contact with any other animals and my vet said that he did not need the vaccine unless I decide to let him out. (My cat was also tested as a kitten for all diseases as well during his first vet exam and came back clean, before the vet decided what vaccines he needed)
November 22nd, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Let me get this straight - the cat has had the initial vaccine for FeLV? If so, she’ll need the 2nd vaccine to complete the course. The vaccination needs to be given at two different times, usually between 8 and 12 weeks of age, to cover the period when the immunity gained from the mother is at its lowest.
I don’t know why the hospital would say the 2nd vaccine isn’t needed, unless they were trying to appease you! It does cost the same price for both treatments, as they’re both the same treatments. If you haven’t had any FeLV vaccine at all, the vet may have said it is not necessary if you have a strictly indoor cat.
Get the second vaccine - otherwise she won’t be immune to FeLV, and the money you spent on the first jab is wasted!
Chalice
November 22nd, 2009 at 6:45 pm
VERY!!! Your or any cat can die if it contracts the leukemia. I had a kitten that did.