[Felvtalk] different types of Felv

[Rachel Dagner]

Ok, thank you, and I understand and agree with your points as well.



*From:* Felvtalk [mailto:felvtalk-bounces at felineleukemia.org] *On Behalf Of
*Amani Oakley
*Sent:* Thursday, June 09, 2016 3:52 PM
*To:* felvtalk at felineleukemia.org
*Subject:* Re: [Felvtalk] different types of Felv



Rachel



I don’t think I suggested you are an anti-vaxxer, so I apologize if you
took my comments that way. However, what I do suggest is caution and a
healthy inquiring mind regarding interacting with people who are giving out
faulty, unscientific advice about vaccines (and there are a lot of them,
though their voices are far more muted now since the measles out break). I
don’t think a vet who suggests spacing out vaccinations or one who measures
titres are at all anit-vaccination. These are prudent measures to take and
I agree that our animals likely hold their immunity, when vaccinated, a lot
longer than a year (which is why measuring of titres makes sense – you are
measuring the reactivity of the immune system to a particular antigen, to
determine if the animal is still responsive to the introduction of the
bacteria or viral antigen). However, my caution is to remind people that
even with some problems with some vaccines, we shouldn’t respond by moving
180 degrees in the opposite direction. We should also not pay attention to
those who call for a blanket rejection of vaccines. This is a dangerous
strategy.



On one point, though, I want to make a comment. Vaccinations are not just
about one person or one animal. Vaccinations are also for the good of the
community. Those who DON’T vaccinate are only safe because they are
cocooned inside a grouping of a whole lot of other people or animals, who
had to take the risks – no matter how big or slight one perceives those to
be – of being vaccinated. That is why many states, provinces, etc., have
rules about what vaccines kids have to have before they can go to school.
If your choice meant that your own child and only your own child was put at
risk, that is one thing. But that is not the case. In the German measles
outbreak that happened in Disney world, I seem to recall that several young
children under the age of two, died and/or were left permanently damaged by
the infection. Children under two cannot be vaccinated, so they truly must
rely on the rest of us being vaccinated to keep the infection away from
them. So while there are elements of personal choice, where an infection
can spread to others in the community, I think that takes the issue out of
solely being personal and elevates it to a community issue. The saying in
law is along the lines of, “your rights end where mine begin”. However, I
agree with you that you have far more flexibility with indoor cats, keeping
in mind the proviso that Margo mentioned – that circumstances happen and
our cats get out, with or without us meaning to have that happen.



I also agree with you completely about the rabies vaccine, and I wouldn’t
be at all surprised if they found that the immunity the animals garner,
holds for a lot longer than three years. I think what you are describing
your Tampa vet does, is prudent and makes a lot of sense.





Amani



*From:* Felvtalk [mailto:felvtalk-bounces at felineleukemia.org
<felvtalk-bounces at felineleukemia.org>] *On Behalf Of *Rachel Dagner
*Sent:* June-09-16 3:05 PM
*To:* felvtalk at felineleukemia.org; Margo
*Subject:* Re: [Felvtalk] different types of Felv



Everyone has a choice in how they chose to proceed with their indoor FELV
cats. I never said I was anti vaccine, I said I personally would not have
given Tucker more vaccines if I had known then what I know now. He started
having infections after he got them and our world went downhill from there,
his immune system was already compromised and I wish I would not have added
the extra stress to it. My choice. I said I am very concerned about the
rabies vaccine for my tiny, older (inside and/or never out of my sight) dog
since she has always had very bad reactions to them and now has a large
lump on her side that will not go away, I am looking into my options, and
will weigh them very carefully to decide what I feel comfortable with. My
choice. Since we now know that there are several people on this list who
along with their vets, might not choose to vaccinate their sick or elderly
animals, and for obviously concerning reasons, I would hope you are not
using the term anti-vaxxers to refer to myself or to them? In the event
anyone is interested, I found an integrative vet in Tampa and it is a hike
for me but she does not do vaccines all at once, she spaces them out,
writes exemptions for pets that have had serious adverse reactions, or have
serious illnesses where their heath could be compromised by vaccines, and
will do the titer with one T test, for your piece of mind that your pet
still has enough antibodies for protection, the test is not recognized as a
replacement for the shot at least where I live, but at least it is
something for me whether they recognize it or not. It would be nice to have
her examine Daizy and talk with me about my options for rabies and see how
she feels about giving them again when it is time. She also gives something
called Lyssin 30c that she gives at the same time as the rabies vaccine to
try to protect against the adverse side effects it can have. When I get a
new kitty I will give her the vaccines that I think she needs which will be
very few for an inside cat, and I will do it in the safest way it can
possibly be done. I will give her the 3 year rabies as required, if she
becomes ill for whatever reason and her immune system is compromised, or
she has a serious reaction, I will weigh my options carefully again. And I
will pray she is not one that develops cancer from it. And I will continue
to hope that they discover that they can stretch it beyond 3 years, and
that maybe like they discovered with the every year scenario that it wasn’t
really necessary.
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