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Original poster

Severe shortage of cat vaccines

37 replies

Greenhand · 29/11/2021 09:16

I have used the same vet for 20 years and they religiously send out a vaccination reminder for all pets so I rely on it heavily.

I realised it had been an awfully long time this year and couldn't immediately locate my cat's record card so called. Turns out she was due a vaccination 2 months ago and they have none and are expecting none other than for kittens hence why no reminder.

I was told to keep my whirling dervish inside.

If I wanted to go away, I wouldn't be able to book a cattery for example as she's not got an up to date vaccination.

Has anybody else come across this? Do I need to call round lots of vets to find one with a vaccination stock?

OP posts:
BarbaraofSeville · 29/11/2021 09:51

I haven't heard anything and I took an adult rescue cat that I'm currently fostering for a vaccine as normal a couple of weeks ago.

Our vets have always said that you have 3 months grace before the booster is considered 'too late' and you'll need to start again with two doses, so your cat should be fully protected for a little while longer, but I don't know if your cattery will accept her. We always use a cat feeder and leave ours at home when we go away anyway, so that's another option?

FreeBritnee · 29/11/2021 09:54

This was talked about on here a few months back I think. A veterinary nurse said they couldn’t get the vaccines and didn’t know when they would be available.

TyrannysaurusXXrightshoarder · 29/11/2021 09:55

Yes, my friend has been unable to get her dog a Kennel cough vaccination and so was unable to book him in to kennels for next week (I’m having him now). Her vet said they should get some in the New Year, don’t think she tried other vets as we are having him now but I suppose it’s worth trying.

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Cats
1Dandelion1 · 29/11/2021 09:59

My cat is overdue too, but they said because of her age and how long she's regularly had her jabs she will be fine for another 6 months.

CovidCorvid · 29/11/2021 10:01

It’s definitely a national issue and dogs are affected as well.

Changecountetextraordinaire · 29/11/2021 10:05

Our two had their annual jabs last week, on time, no issues.

Winniemarysarah · 29/11/2021 10:07

I’ve just had all my cats and dogs done. The only issues I came across was their normal (and other local vets) had no appointment for months. I’ve managed to find a vaccine vet (fully qualified vet but literally only does vaccines) and I got an appointment straight away. He’s in the north west, not sure where you are

Winniemarysarah · 29/11/2021 10:13

@BarbaraofSeville

I haven't heard anything and I took an adult rescue cat that I'm currently fostering for a vaccine as normal a couple of weeks ago.

Our vets have always said that you have 3 months grace before the booster is considered 'too late' and you'll need to start again with two doses, so your cat should be fully protected for a little while longer, but I don't know if your cattery will accept her. We always use a cat feeder and leave ours at home when we go away anyway, so that's another option?

This is quite interesting. I think it depends on the vet. Mine were registered with the ones at pets at home and they only give you 4 weeks to get the booster or they insist on doing it twice. I ended up leaving them because I was one day late one year. So they wanted me to vaccinate them for the exact same thing 3 times in the space of 1 year, 4 weeks and a day. No way can that be good for the animals
IntemperateSpirits · 29/11/2021 10:22

Mine were registered with the ones at pets at home and they only give you 4 weeks to get the booster or they insist on doing it twice.

Our vets too - although we couldn't book the boosters until exactly 3 months after they were due this time, so on the 15 month window.

They also can't get hold of any Bravecto.

whatstobecomeofus · 29/11/2021 10:35

My three cats have recently had their boosters. I hope they didn't just inject water.

Veterinari · 29/11/2021 10:43

@whatstobecomeofus

My three cats have recently had their boosters. I hope they didn't just inject water.
Yeah, cos heavily regulated professionals are just lining up to commit fraud and false certification. It's not like you can get struck and lose your livelihood for that... oh wait! Yes you can. Probs worth it for your £70 vaccine fee though eh? Hmm
Veterinari · 29/11/2021 10:44

There isn't a vaccine shortage.

There's a vaccine vial and sealant shortage
Cos we're in a pandemic and only a few suppliers produce the bottles

WhatsWrongWithMyUsername · 29/11/2021 10:50

My vet had limited stock in the summer and said it was everyone catching up post lockdown plus lockdown new pets. She did one cat and the other one a few weeks later.

ratspeaker · 29/11/2021 12:42

Yes, it's been ongoing for a couple of months.
A quick Google will show it's nationwide and into Europe.
Our vet has priorities for most vulnerable cats. Our cat got his routine Vax as he's diabetic.

vodkaredbullgirl · 29/11/2021 12:46

My dd's dog is due her's, but they said they will let us know.

milly74 · 29/11/2021 13:01

yes our vets have no stock
i was lucky to get my cat vaccinated before it kicked in
Little seems to work in this country any more!

givemushypeasachance · 29/11/2021 13:01

My friends encountered this as one of their cats was due in early November. I rang around a few local vets to see what supplies were like in case it was just their practice; some said they had supplies but only for their registered patients, others said they were prioritising vulnerable cats, others just said they were very short and didn't have any spares to offer.

Anyone hoping to use a cattery - if your cat is due and you can't get it done, be careful, most insist your cat is fully up to date with cat flu and enteritis.

Yayadingdong99 · 29/11/2021 13:02

Indeed

Walesrecommendations · 29/11/2021 13:02

My vet told me it was only one brand of vaccine, I have my two booked for their boosters in December and assume it will go ahead.

Original poster
Greenhand · 29/11/2021 21:43

@Veterinari

There isn't a vaccine shortage.

There's a vaccine vial and sealant shortage
Cos we're in a pandemic and only a few suppliers produce the bottles

Thank you for clarifying. My vet's practice described it as a vaccine shortage.

Makes more sense that the there is a vial and sealant shortage.

OP posts:
Cinders15 · 29/11/2021 21:58

I took my two to the vet 6 weeks ago for an mot and vaccine, and was told no cat vaccine as the vials were being used for Covid vaccine but they were ok for a while and to ring in a month
I did - still no vaccine and now they can't get dog vaccine either!
I am on a list to be called when they have got cat vaccine and that my two have got until beginning of feb before they are in danger 🤷‍♀️

Shesaysso · 29/11/2021 22:00

I was told last week that they had none and to call back in 3 months.

DowntonCrabby · 29/11/2021 22:04

I was able to call and get a booster app for DCat within a week, just last Tuesday she had it.

TroysMammy · 29/11/2021 22:10

I've been told to ring next month. The 3 months grace is up in January. I've got Vets for Pets Vaccs for life.

Martinisarebetterdirty · 29/11/2021 22:12

I’ve been calling since early October and no joy (West London). They said maybe December if I’m lucky. Thankfully she’s very elderly and doesn’t really go out or past the garden these days, so less at risk, but I’d still like her done for peace of mind.