Immunisations for 1yo cat

[fackinell]

I've heard mixed things about immunising after kittenhood. Is it really necessary? He was very small for date but a big lad now. DP has never bothered for the older boy, but I don't mind paying for the little one to have his ongoing. He gets so poorly after them, I don't want to put him through it if it makes little difference.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

As in people the fall in vaccination rates has meant that diseases that had become rare like panleucopaenia have resurfaced. Plus leukaemia and flu cover only lasts a year and does need the boost to remain complete. So yes to continue with complete cover you do need boosters.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

The most common cause of cats being poorly after the vaccination is due to the adjuvant. There is a vaccine called Purevax that has no adjuvant in it so the flu like symptoms post vaccination are much rarer ( we saw it 2 a week with old vaccine I've seen 1 in 3 years with Purevax) it could be worth finding a practice that uses Purevax.

[cozietoesie]

Out of interest, Lone, do you know roughly what the rate of vaccination in domestic pets is? I'm a big fan of vaccination having actually seen what some of these nasties do to cats but I'm guessing that rotten family finances are impacting on the provision.

[fackinell]

Thank you. I shall book him an appointment. We only have two practices in our town and I left one because I felt they were pushing unnecessary procedures (6 mths of tests and CT scans for a boy that I ended up diagnosing with FIV and made them do a simple £35 blood test for.) and pretty rough handling of the cats.
I'll check with my current one then.

[cozietoesie]

...pretty rough handling of the cats....?

Oh My.

I really warmed to my current vets on the afternoon of Seniorboy's big op. I happen to have quite exceptional hearing and as I was sitting in the waiting room, a door must have opened and I could just hear She Who Must Be Obeyed the practice's Chief Vet Nurse getting him out of his recovery cage well out of my sight. 'Who's my handsome one then.. (subdued Meow).. who's just the best boy......' (I know he's a good looking boy but they've never been anything but loving towards him - even when he or I were being right PITAs. )

[Lonecatwithkitten]

The MAI figures published to participating practices (about 40% of UK practices) put national average of cats at about 45% ( with a low if 26% and high of 70%) and dogs at about 60% similar highs and lows.
This doesn't include all UK practices, but is thought to actually over estimate vaccination rates.
This will of course only include registered cats and will be affected by things like our current campaign where we are neutering cats for CPL who we have never seen before and will probably never see again so will skew our numbers down.

[cozietoesie]

Even with the caveats, that's awfully low.

[fackinell]

That is low! The eldest cat is my DSD's and they haven't bothered since his first lot. The little one is mine and I will definitely get him done after all that's been said.

When I say rough, Cozie, it would probably be seen as no nonsense by them. Hauling or shaking them out of the carrier instead of coaxing or taking the carrier apart, pressing them too hard against them when examining etc. No 'good boy' chat, reassuring tone or stroking, all very matter of fact. She also had a poor manner with me. I was frantic about my old boy's distended tummy, she kind of dismissively said 'its probably cancer.' Awful place and the nurse was snappy too.

Like you, I warned to my new place. After my lad was pts, the vet had clearly been crying when she came out to get me (I got rather hysterical and couldn't stay in, incase it was distressing my boy. DP was there though, bawling like a newborn.) She said she was so fond of him and he was such a good boy. I had to go buy her flowers and a card to cheer her up. The vet nurse said she hadn't been herself all day. They also send deepest sympathy cards. I called to thank them and to say I'd grabbed my mail to read on route to work and was howling in the bloody high street!!