Just wanted to post on two important topics.

FIV vaccine: Beware for those of you electing to vaccinate your cats with the FIV vaccine. I work for a veterinary practice in Pembroke Pines, FL and we have elected not to use the FIV vaccine for 2 reasons. 1) Made by Fort Dodge, which seems to have a vaccine for everything (ringworm, FIP, giardia) which are for the most part ineffective. They produce minimal studies of which after being in use are rendered ineffective. 2) Perhaps the more important reason, you cat will test positive on ELISA FIV test kits. Kittens from a mother vaccinated will also test positive. So if you cat gets out and is picked up by animal control or another person and they are tested (which is the first thing most concerned people do) the result may be elective euthanasia. Hopefully this bit of info will help you to make an informed decision.

Microchips: Their is currently a new type of microchip (for the past year) used by Banfield hospitals. The ISO chip is indeed better technology, but cannot be read by non ISO chip readers. The non-ISO chip readers are the ones currently being used by 95% of all independent animal hospitals. Veterinarians seem to be resistant to purchasing these new readers. In the end this means missing microchips, thus animals not getting back home. Inquire with your current vets concerning this arising problem.

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