Yes, well, it is sometimes difficult to figure out what rules to make.
My old rescue did not vaccinate against FELV at all. Their reasoning was that since they adopt to indoor only homes, the cats should not be exposed. The problem with that is that adopters sometimes lie, and let the cats outside, and then they could be exposed. It muddies the waters further that the vaccine is apparently only 75-85% effective. But I mean if *I* could get a vaccine against, say, breast, lung or colon cancer, I'd take it even if it WERE only 75-85% effective. There also seems to be some dispute about when the natural immunity against FELV "kicks in". I've seen stats that indicate that it isn't until the cat is 3-4 years old, and other stats that indicate it is when the cat is a year old. Then the studies I have heard indicate that the vaccine is 75-85% effective AND the cats have a natural immunity by....1...or 3 or 4..or sometime. Is it the SAME 75-85%? In other words is there *any* added protection provided by the vaccines? If I had indoor only cats that were not being exposed to other cats, I wouldn't bother vaccinating for FELV, but I have a parade of cats in and out of my house, and as we all know FELV tests aren't always accurate. It is illegal to adopt out a cat that has no rabies shot here, so I have to provide rabies shots, even though I really don't fear rabies at all. The likelihood of one of my cats contracting rabies is nil, unless somehow a rabit bat or something was to get into my house. That UC Davis site seems to have different vaccination protocols for cats living in "Shelter situations" which I consider mine to be. I couldn't find them though. On 11/28/06, Jennifer Phaewryn O'Gwynn <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Perhaps the terminology is more correct, but if you do a search for Injection Site Sarcoma, you'll probably get far fewer pages about it than if you search for Vaccine Associated Sarcomas. And... it is the same condition. So, I'm more apt to use the name that is most common when referring people to do searches for educational purposes. I think it's awesome that your vet is so easy to work with, and I think it's even better that you are seeking the advice, and looking up the information. Like I said, don't take anyone's word as absolute truth, you really have to make your own decisions for what policies are best for you. That's what's so good about doing your OWN rescue work... you make the rules and policies, and those rules and policies reflect your ideals and goals, and so long as you stay true to what you believe in (but always keep an open mind to new studies and new discoveries), then you'll always know in your heart that you are doing the absolute best you can do for the cats in your care! Phaewryn Please save Whitey! http://ucat.us/Whitey.html VT low cost Spay&Neuter, and Emergency Financial Assistance for cat owners: http://ucat.us/VermontLowCost.html Special Needs Cat Resources: http://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html
-- Vist the Rescuties store and save a kitty life! http://astore.amazon.com/rescuties-20
