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From: dlp@akgua.UUCP (D.L. Philen [Dan])
Newsgroups: net.pets
Subject: Re: cat leukemia vaccine
Message-ID: <1231@akgua.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 5-Feb-85 08:30:48 EST
Article-I.D.: akgua.1231
Posted: Tue Feb  5 08:30:48 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 6-Feb-85 06:07:14 EST
References: <621@asgb.UUCP>, <1062@opus.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Technologies/Bell Labs, Atlanta
Lines: 41


   We had our cat "Phread" vaccinated for FeLV last weekend and got
a handy little blerb from the vet about the vaccine.

 "During 'Leukocell' field studies, injection occasionally caused minor 
pain, and a few cats experienced lethargy and loss of appetite for
about a day after vaccination; vomiting, diarrhea, or systemic reactions were
infrequently noted.  Clinical tests cats given up to 50 times the amount
of vaccine contained in a normal dose showed no serious negative
side effects. ... Vaccination is recommended for healthy cats nine weeks of a
or older.  First-time vaccination requires two doeses given two to three
weeks apart and a booster dose given two to four months later.
After that, a single dose per year is recommended."


  Conversations with our vet produced the following:

 1.  FeLV is epidemic in the cat population.

 2.  The link with humans and FeLV is not known.

 3.  (Most Interesting)  The Centers for Disease Control here
in Atlanta is about to issue a report that finds that 
vetinerians (sp?) have a statistically significant higher
percentage of leukemia than the general population.  Presumably
from animals such as cats.

 Now for my personal opinion!  If you are going to balk at the
cost then you have no business having the cat.  You and no one
else is responsible for its health.  You took in on when you
abopted it.  If you aren't going to provide for it then give 
it to someone who will.  Cost! Have you looked at the cost
of chow.  Over a year you will spend significantly more than the
cost of the shots (especially if you have a dog or two -PuChee and Wolfie-
who like high protein cat food better than dog chow).
As for reactions of the cat, Phread went home, went outside,
ate chow, then slept the rest of the day.  ie. perfectly
normal behavior, no adverse reactions.  If you love your
animals the take care of them, get the shots!

   From the English Car nut:  Dan Philen, akgua!dlp