Vaccinations for Cats and Dogs

The Current State of Affairs,

July 1999

Since 1994 we have spent much time talking to each of you about how vaccines work and why they are done. Many hours have been spent researching the literature to determine the best and most effective way to protect your pets. The big stimulus was the Vaccine Induced Tumors in cats that by 1994 had affected 6 of our patients.

We have now found 18 cats with 19 Vaccine Induced Tumors (fibro sarcomas - a cancer of the fibrous connective tissue under the skin). One cat had a vaccine induced tumor removed in 1991, the first one we diagnosed, was cured by surgery only to have another tumor develop in 1997. This second vaccine induced tumor could not be removed and the cat died four months after the tumor was first detected. Another cat had a Rabies Vaccine in 1990 from which a tumor arose in 1997 and killed the cat. Still another cat had an eleven-year time from vaccination to tumor development. This problem of vaccines causing cancer in the cat stimulated our rethinking of the vaccination program when we first read about the issue and before our first case. Since we have had a large number of cases action has been taken and we discuss it here.

Our current recommendations are annual immunizations for the respiratory pathogens (viruses and bacteria) in dogs and cats. These are the "Kennel Cough" agents in the dog and the "Upper Respiratory Agents" in the cat. The immunity generated by the mucosal cells, the cells lining the airways, does not last a long time. Mucosal cells do not create "memory cells" which give the long lasting immunity. The more "whole body" pathogens such as Canine Distemper, Hepatitis, and Parvovirus, and Feline Distemper, which is also a Parvovirus, create memory cells.  Once produced, these memory cells give long term, possibly life long immunity to these agents. For Canine Distemper, Hepatitis, and Parvo Virus and Feline Distemper we recommend the pet receive them in a series of shots when puppies and kittens, once as an adult, that is one who is over one year of age, and then as appropriate for each individual and their own circumstances. As a geriatric patient their immune response fades along with their other systems fading and they will need stimulus of their immune system by vaccinations.

Rabies is an area that has its own legal issues to deal with besides the medical issues. The first time a Rabies Vaccine is administered it is medically documented and legally accepted as one-year protection. A second Rabies Vaccination given one year later is medically documented and legally accepted as three years protection. We recommend this program for all dogs and for cats left alone outside the house. Indoor cats, by their lifestyle, are not at risk for Rabies. In 1997 there were exactly 300 cats in the entire United States that were diagnosed with Rabies. They came from either the "feral" group or the "colony" group. Feral cats may have at one time been a pet but are cats with no person providing any care; they are wild cats.  Colony cats are cats living outside that someone is providing care, such as feeding, for them. They are not cats that are getting vaccinated to protect against rabies and they are in an exposure situation.

One expert in the Veterinary Cancer Field has estimated 22,000 cats developed vaccine induced cancers in 1996. We educate you on the risks to your cat from Rabies. Our current recommendation is strictly indoor cats receive a single Rabies Vaccination as kittens. It is not repeated unless their indoor only situation changes. Dr Gemmill's initial Rabies Vaccination in 1981 is still providing protective antibody levels. (Clearly not a cat but the best example we could find of long term protection). Seven cats in our care have had their antibody levels checked. One was two years after a one-year vaccine, another five years after a three-year vaccine, and the others at various times after vaccination had legally expired. They all had antibody levels that were higher than required for immunity as determined by an international body of experts. We are currently reviewing an article on two rabies vaccines administered three weeks apart: providing very long term protection. A constant challenge to try and find the best way to treat your pet.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) in December 1997 made recommendations for new immunization intervals.  We are glad that some organization has finally taken a stand. We disagree with some of their recommendations, too much political correctness that biased medical decisions. For example the Feline Distemper protection was excellent at eight years after first vaccination but they recommended every three years.  This allowed all the vaccine manufacturers to have a viable product for use rather than only one company if the recommendation was for only the upper respiratory agents be done.  At three years the upper respiratory agent had all shown loss of effectiveness, in a few of the cats in the study the immunity waned the first year. There were only twelve cats in the study that led to the recommendations.  Another example is the Rabies Vaccine which continues to be recommended for all cats. As we have discussed the indoor lifestyle of most cats prevents any exposure to rabies so why expose the cat to a cancer-causing agent for no reason?

The AAFP recommendations have sent shockwaves through the profession by recommending changes similar to what we started in 1994 and that have been adopted by a more progressive minority in the field. The cover stories on the three Veterinary Management Monthly publications in January 1998 all were on the Vaccination changes affecting income. At the West Lancaster Animal Hospital we have clearly documented that you, the client, will spend less in the future on vaccinating your cats. We have adopted a similar vaccination program in the dogs.

The program of vaccinations is constantly being evaluated. In each and every pet we talk with you to determine the amount of exposure and need for protection. The variables are many and each pet has its own unique needs. We will do our best for your pet.

Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in. Mark Twain

I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals. Winston Churchill

Dogs come when they're called; cats take a message and get back to you.

Cats seem to go on the principle that it never does any harm to ask for what you want.