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From: mike@asgb.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.pets
Subject: cat leukemia vaccine
Message-ID: <621@asgb.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 22-Jan-85 12:08:54 EST
Article-I.D.: asgb.621
Posted: Tue Jan 22 12:08:54 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 25-Jan-85 07:40:27 EST
Reply-To: mike@asgb.UUCP (Mike Rosenlof)
Organization: Burroughs Corporation, Boulder Colo.
Lines: 27


Just a little more info on cat Leukemia.

I've seen another article which went into more depth about the new
vaccine.  Another point which I didn't mention in my previous posting
is that [the Vet who wrote the article] recommends a blood test before
the vaccine is given to the cat.

If the cat is free of the leukemia virus, the vaccine (a series of 3
shots, yearly booster) is safe and effective in protecting the cat
from the disease.  If the cat has the disease, and is showing clinical
symptoms, the vaccine won't help it.  If the cat has the virus, it may
be a carrier, or be in very early stages with no symptoms.  In this
latter case the vaccine may either build the immunity as desired, or
it may cause the cat to start showing the clinical symptoms - so it
could be a tough decision in that case.  Apparently the odds are about
even.

The author [he IS a vet giving these shots] stressed that in this
latter case, the vaccine doesn't CAUSE the cat to get sick, but
provides the extra stress to the cat's system that lets it get sick.


Mike Rosenlof                     hplabs!sdcrdcf!\
                                     ihnp4!sabre!-bmcg!asgb!mike
              { ihnp4, ucbvax, allegra }!sdcsvax!/
Burroughs Advanced Systems Group              Boulder, Colorado