Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Have a female with 4 kittens rescued from the streets 3 weeks ago. They'll require vaccinations soon: kittens take 2, one month apart and mother gets one. I've done this in the past with 3 in 1 via the syringe route. The web site used now sells a syringe-less vaccine delivered thru the nasal or ocular passage and states the results are the same. I would rather not give them any vaccines, but when vets are used they always want to know about vaccinations. Absolutely don't need rabies since these cats won't be outside.

What is your opinion on this type of vaccine delivery and how accurate are the results compared to a syringe administered dose?

Thanks,

Mike

This vaccine is probably more effective and safer than the injectable. Ideally, vaccines should follow the natural route of infection, so a vaccine for upper respiratory infections should be given through the respiratory tract. In humans, polio vaccine is given orally, as polio virus is really an intestinal virus. Rabies is transmitted through bite wounds, so an injection is necessary. Feline upper respiratory diseases and panleukopenia are picked up over the nose and mouth, so these routes of protection are the safest and most effective, as they build up antibodies where the virus would first enter the body.