Anyone against kitten vaccinations?

[Melarno]

We have a gorgeous 3 month old kitten and I was about to book her in at the vets for her first vaccination when my friend told me that one of their cats died two weeks after its first vaccination and since then she has not had any of her cats vaccinated.

She seems to think that the cat died of cat leukemia caused by the vaccination.

Does anyone else feel strongly against vaccinations? I am pretty sure I will still go ahead because I couldn't bear the thought of no protecting our kitty, but I would be interested to hear what everyone thinks.

[tiggerblue10]

I don't think that the vaccination would have caused the leukemia. The leukemia would have developed long before the vaccination as it's a type of cancer.

Go and speak to the vet. I think you'll find that they would know more about these things than your friend!

[babybombo]

We have three cats, the oldest is 12 the youngest is 5. None of them have been vaccinated.
I've not heard of any other stories like this, ours were never vaccinated simply because we never got round to it.
All three of them are outdoor cats and usually spend alot of time outdoors, and all are in perfect health.
So in my experience they dont really need to be vaccinated.

[confused79]

I have never vaccinated my cat either, just cos i have never got round to it also, had my last cat vaccinated though and she constantly had a weeping eye. This cat seems alot more healther and is also a outdoor cat.

[SMP]

As an ex veterinary nurse i would strongly recommend vaccinating your kitten especially if you are intending letting it outside. Cat flu is a really nasty illness and will kill if the animal is weak and is highly contagious. It causes runny nose, conjunctivitus, pneumonia. Feline Leukaemia or FeLV is the cat version of AIDS and only cats get it. It damages the immune system and causes tumours. It is one of the most common infectious causes of death in young adult cats. I have nursed many animals with these conditions and it is agonising seeing them suffer so needlessly all for the want of a vaccination.

[garner]

Have to agree with smp..you must vaccinate your cat.How fdo you think you would feel if he/she got one of the above conditions, you would never forgive yourself.Its just not worth the risk plus the fact that there could be a feral cat in your area and they can carry numerous diseases

[delilahcat]

Sorry, I can't believe there are people out there who haven't had their cats vaccinated 'because they never got around to it'. Any reponsible cat owner who is intending to let their cat outside should have their animal vaccinated against cat flu, leukaemia and Felv.

All my cats were vaccinated as kittens and have annual booster injections to continue their protection. Also,if you ever intend to board your cat at a cattery, they won't take him/her without a vaccination certificate.

SMP and garner are right, there are a lot of cats out there with these terrible illnesses and you'd never forgive yourself if your cat contracted something nasty which can o easily be prevented.

Enjoy your kitty - they give so much love and deserve the best you can do for them.

[winny]

having had a rescued cat that unfortunatly had lukemia already and watching him deteriorate after many happy years i would vaccinate

[tiggerblue10]

All cats should be vaccinated. I got 2 cats a few years ago from Battersea and no cat leaves there without being vaccinated and micro-chipped. They get their boosters done each year as well.

I would also advise getting pet insurance as you never know!

[kita1]

This makes interesting reading:

http://www.canine-health-concern.org.uk/

not just about dogs!

I guess it is down to each individual circumstance. I would probably go for the first vaccination, but might give the yearly boosters a miss.

Of course if your cat is an indoor cat that would make a difference.