Malaysia Veterinary Forum (Archive)

meeks · Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 11

Hi, i just joined the forum so maybe the above has been disccused before but i cant seem to find this topic.
May i know if feline leukimia vaccine necessary for kittens? I have heard of breeders who will void the warranty if kitten is given the vaccination. My vet insists on kitten getting this shot. And will the annual booster include this?
I live in apartment and cat has no chance of going out.
Thanks for any info.

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

Its here: http://vet.com.my/viewtopic.php?t=1030

Where have you heard about the voiding the warranty? Do you know for what reasons they void it? And what does the warranty cover in the first place?

varanus · Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 472

I wonder why the warranty is voided due to the vaccination? Funny lah.

Have you considered the chance of your cat escape? Stray cat come into your unit and fight with your cat or eating from the bowl?

meeks · Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 11

Yes, there is a local breeder that will void health warranty if kitten is given Feline Leukemia Vaccine. I read the thread on this and the importance that you mentioned but why is it that kittens are not given this vaccine by breeder before they go to new home?

Abymummy · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 74 Location: Kuala Lumpur

I find this very strange being a breeder myself...all my aby kittens are rehomed fully vaccinated (at least the first two vacs - 3in 1 min. depending on pet or show quality), dewormed and pre-neutered. This ensures that the kitten should be problem free for a year at least unless something accidental happens to the kitten. The re-homed kitten comes with a 30 day health guarantee and the new owner is required to send the kitten to a vet for check up within 7 days of collection...

To void a "warranty" for giving the kitten the right vaccinations sounds odd...unless the virus is already prevalent in the breeder's cattery.

I personally would not buy a kitten from this breeder in this respect, as it appears to be somewhat suspicious to me!

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

So, if the cat is not vaccinated, and it still gets FeLV, can get refund from the breeder?

meeks · Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 11

My question is: why do some breeders void the health warranty when the new kitten is given Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) vaccination. Is this virus common or a threat locally, therefore most vets would recommend it after the kitten has been tested negative?
When a kitten is 'vaccinated and ready to go to new home', that would mean it has been given the core vaccines except FeLV.
Is an annual booster necessary for strictly indoor cat?
Is the risk high for developing tumour on the site of certain vaccinations?
My apologies if i sound too anxious but i'm a first time cat owner.
BTW: my cat had the FeLV vaccination, is now due for its first annual booster and had never stepped outdoor.
Thanks.

varanus · Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 472

meeks wrote: My question is: why do some breeders void the health warranty when the new kitten is given Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) vaccination.

That you have to ask the breeder. Ask the breeder to give you a solid and sound excuse, except for vaccine induced sarcoma. The breeder might have a solid reason, or either misinformed, misunderstanding...Some might argue there are cats died of sarcoma, possible linked to the vaccine. The risk to get FeLV as compare to the risk oof getting sarcoma is so much more higher. Don't just focus on a few isolated cases, look at the broad prospective.

Quote: Is this virus common or a threat locally, therefore most vets would recommend it after the kitten has been tested negative

This virus, together with FIV, is quite common in our country. To date there, like AIDS, there is no treatment of choice. Normally only associated infection are treated, as well as replenish fluid and electrolyte deficit. Bear in mind FeLV associated lymphoma is not a strange condition in infected cat. And this type of tumour is much more aggresive.

Quote: When a kitten is 'vaccinated and ready to go to new home', that would mean it has been given the core vaccines except FeLV.

Normally vaccinated means only the core vaccine. FeLV is a separate vaccine, optional to owner but there is a combo vaccine by Fortdodge include FeLV into the core vaccine, which save your cat from another extra injection. There is a recently lauch FIV vaccine as well. Some people request for FIP vaccine as well, introduced into the nose, but I am not going to comment about the efficacy of the vaccine.

Quote: Is an annual booster necessary for strictly indoor cat?

Yes, be it free roaming or in door cat. Can you 100% sure that you cat will not escape some day, or stray cat jump into your house. How about exposure during boarding? How about dog? About 50% of feline panleukopania ( parvo viral infection in cat) is cause by canine parvovirus. If you step on dog shit without knowing it and brought back the virus, the cat will get it because they will rub on you shoes.

Quote: BTW: my cat had the FeLV vaccination, is now due for its first annual booster and had never stepped outdoor.
Thanks.

Just go for the vaccine as you already have the vaccine before, because you don't have to spend money to do blood test again. [/quote]

varanus · Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 472

There are a lot of people questioning about vaccination schedule. vaccine reaction, vaccine induced tumour, over vaccination...

It happens, as long as you or your vet know how to indentify the condition and treat the condition and other associated problems, you animal should be safe.

Don't think of avoid vaccination just to avoid the side effect of vaccination. The infection itself can be so much more devastating and contagious as compare to the vaccine complication. This situation actually is hot topic in human vaccination as well. Some people are against certain vaccination due to its potential problem. But bear in mind, if you choose not to vaccinate against certain disease, saying that the disease is already so rare and not reported anymore, you might be wrong. For example polio, rubella, TB... It is so uncommon because the last reported case "you know" or known to the public is so long ago. But if you drop the vaccination, it will make a come back. This is called a re-emerging disease. Rubella and polio is started to gain "popularity" in certain area. You can start to see cases of tuberculosis (TB), partly due to the foreign worker.

Try not to think that the vet or doctor try to slaughter you by asking you to vaccinate, trust me, the doctor can earn more treating your pet than giving the vaccine.

meeks · Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 11

Thank you for the lengthy and highly informative reply. I always believe in vaccination. I'm sure that was why my mongrel lived to the age of 16, never been sick all this life. As i said i'm a first time cat owner that was the reason of my uncertainties and anxieties.
Appreciate your reply.

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

Quote: My question is: why do some breeders void the health warranty when the new kitten is given Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) vaccination.
I thought you were telling us something new, thats why I posted up so many questions on it. :) It is really strange to hear about this policy. Frankly, because getting the disease is a much higher chance than getting any side-effect from the vaccines. And its always better to be protected. So, to void a warranty for being protected sounds silly.

FeLV disease is rather common here. The sad fact is that this disease is not treatable, though sometimes they can still survive through it. But do you want to take that chance? However, the vaccine is still not 100% effective, and that is why it is not in the 'core' vaccine group. And there is a chance for it to develop into tumour, although it is very very low, much lower than the chance to contract the disease. To give or not, is your choice.

When you buy a kitten that is "vaccinated", do not just take their word for it. Ask for a complete vaccination card. In that card, it should have all the details of the vaccine given, the date it was given, the vet's signature and stamp. If it is not complete, then you may want to assume it is not fully vaccinated. From the card you can also check if its been vaccinated with just the core vaccines, or with others.

Abymummy · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 74 Location: Kuala Lumpur

Dr Nat wrote: Quote: My question is: why do some breeders void the health warranty when the new kitten is given Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) vaccination.
I thought you were telling us something new, thats why I posted up so many questions on it. :) It is really strange to hear about this policy. Frankly, because getting the disease is a much higher chance than getting any side-effect from the vaccines. And its always better to be protected. So, to void a warranty for being protected sounds silly.

FeLV disease is rather common here. The sad fact is that this disease is not treatable, though sometimes they can still survive through it. But do you want to take that chance? However, the vaccine is still not 100% effective, and that is why it is not in the 'core' vaccine group. And there is a chance for it to develop into tumour, although it is very very low, much lower than the chance to contract the disease. To give or not, is your choice.

When you buy a kitten that is "vaccinated", do not just take their word for it. Ask for a complete vaccination card. In that card, it should have all the details of the vaccine given, the date it was given, the vet's signature and stamp. If it is not complete, then you may want to assume it is not fully vaccinated. From the card you can also check if its been vaccinated with just the core vaccines, or with others.

I do so wholeheartedly agree...when a pre-neutered kitten of mine leaves for a new home, it comes with a complete care package which includes the vaccination card, and a letter on how to maintain the kitten/cat. It just makes for an ethical breeder!

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

Abymummy wrote:
I do so wholeheartedly agree...when a pre-neutered kitten of mine leaves for a new home, it comes with a complete care package which includes the vaccination card, and a letter on how to maintain the kitten/cat. It just makes for an ethical breeder!
A breeder like you is an 'endangered species'!

meeks · Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 11

Yes, i insisted on having the kitten's vaccination card and i brought it to my own vet to be examined within 3 days upon arrival. I stick with one reputable veterinary clinic for over 30 years now.
Abymummy: if 50% of breeders are like you, this world will be full of happy cats!
Of course, pet owners' responsibilities are a great deal more.

Abymummy · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 74 Location: Kuala Lumpur

So, now I understand the real situation - I called up the breeder to get his side of the story and really, it's very simple...and I understand his side of the story as well....

So it's like this:

The breeder, when rehoming his kittens makes the basic assumption and insists that the kitten/cat will remain indoors and never outdoors. His contract states that the kitten must be vetted by the new owners' vet to the fact that the kittens were fully vaccinated before release to the new owner and that the kitten is healthy and free from any illnesses. He has a health guarantee of only 72hrs after collection. To his and other breeders of the same, FeLV vaccination is not required as the cat will not be exposed to the FeLV virus as the cat is kept indoors.

So, in this manner, he sticks to his guarantee that the cat is/was healthy at the time of rehoming. There is no harm in giving the cat FeLV vaccinations after the initial 72hr health guarantee, but, should the cat contract illnesses/problems caused by anything other then genetic problems (as known for that breed, in this case, the most common being hip dysplaysia) he will not be liable, nor should he be required to refund or replace the cat - thus the voiding of the warranty.

This actually makes sense to me as the FeLV vaccine is known to cause cancers (a small percentage but it happens). The theory is that, if the cat is kept indoors at all times, the likelihood that it will contract FeLV is small. So, the question, actually, becomes moot.

I can see his point of view...I also insist that any and all my cats remain indoors, but on the other hand, I have no issues with the new owner giving the cat the FeLV vaccine...my show neuters are sold with the minimum of a 4 in 1 and I usually insist that the cat gets the min. 4 in 1 booster if the cat keeps on being shown. However, I too will not be liable for any problems arising from issues non genetic related...

Does this make any sense at all?