Due to sarcomas (site cancers) appearing in cats who were given the three year rabies vaccine, the FDA has suggested that cats get a rabies vaccine every year (which actually can be found as a still active titer at 18 months after the vaccine was last given). As you probably know, rabies is required even for indoor-only cats because mice, squirrels, bats, etc. can get into your home and can be carriers. (Titers have been described to me as the indicators of the active immunity in the blood.)

The feline leukemia vaccine (which is only really needed if your cat will be exposed to other cats in an outdoor environment) can last up to three years, but a lot of vets are reccommending that it also be given every year because it's less effective (only about 85% in cats on the three year plan), so more frequent vaccines for kitties who go outdoors helps boost their immunity by refreshing the titers more frequently.

The distemper vaccine (which a lot of vets are calling a "3-way" because it protects against 3 airborne viruses - and has NOTHING to do with your cat's temper) has been approved as an every three year vaccine. It seems to be the only one that maintains a full three year titer without causing sarcomas or other negitive reactions at the injection site.

There are, of course, several vets who will do the three year rabies, leukemia and distemper vaccines on alternating schedules (so that they see your cat every year, but only give one vaccine per year.)

This is information I was given by a cat only vet.

[ Reply To This Message ] [ Subscribe to this Thread ] [ Show Entire Thread ]