It's not widely publicised but vaccines are not without risk. In addition to containing a small dose of a given virus or bacteria, vaccines also contain other foreign proteins ("adjuvants") and preservatives. As well, vaccines are typically given in combination with 3 or 4 vaccines in one shot. Imagine yourself trying to defend against a cold bug and two different flu viruses at the same time as compared to only one of those at a time.
Multiple viruses at a time are more likely to overwhelm the immune system.
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Adverse reactions associated with vaccines include:
Allergies, Arthritis, Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia, Cancer, Epilepsy, Inflammatory Bowel disease, Thyroid disease as well as a number of behavioral issues.
In fact the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) created a Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force to find out why 160,000 cats a year develop terminal cancer at or near vaccine injection sites.
It was acknowledged the cancer is due to vaccines. They recommend changing the injection site from between the shoulder blades to the tail or hind leg so it can be amputated if cancer develops.
To reduce risk consider avoiding vaccinations for diseases your cat is not at risk for. Cats are vaccinated for Panleukopenia (cat distemper), Feline Leukemia virus (FeLV), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Rabies, Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), Rhinotracheitis, Calici virus.
Panleukopenia is life threatening and can effect indoor cats. It causes vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and low white blood cell count.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis vaccine (FIP), Rhinotracheitis and Calici virus are respiratory diseases which are not life threatening. FIP is associated with severe side effects and Rhinotracheitis and Calici vaccines are not highly effective.
Feline Leukemia (FeLV) requires direct, intimate, cat-to-cat contact. It causes chronic immune suppression and can lead to cancer.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is believed to be spread only by bite wounds. It can lead to death.
Rabies is spread by the saliva of a rabid animal.
In reviewing the vaccines you can see that Panleukopenia is the only serious risk for an indoor cat.
To improve the risks of vaccinating consider:
Never vaccinating a kitten with a compromised immune system. This will be the case if they are sick or having surgery (such as spay/neutering).
Get only one vaccine at time rather than a multi-vaccine cocktail.
Only vaccinate against diseases your cat is at risk for.
Do Indoor Cats Need to Be Vaccinated?
Are you over-vaccinating your kitten? The list of vaccine adverse reactions for cats is uncomfortably long... AND not reported well to the public. Learn more about the risks and benefits of vaccines for your pets at DogAndCatZone.com
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