This section is dedicated to some questions that I have received on while working on volunteer websites or in the exam rooms. I will be picking topics that may fall under a variety of criteria. One of the criteria will be information that I do not find adequately covered on other sites. Please feel free to volunteer a topic or question. Of course due to many reasons, not the least will be time constraints, not all topics will be covered. Thanks, as always, for your support.
CLICK HERE to read about vaccines and immunocompromised cats
Here are some questions from Colleen from Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada:
Colleen has recently adopted a cat named Punky was tested positive for FIV which is Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, similar to human HIV, the cause of AIDS. She also has two other cats in the household who are negative. She had some excellent questions about vaccination. Here is what she asked:
"I am aware
that a cat can test positive for FIV if it has ever been vaccinated for this
disease. Although I don't know much about Punky's history, it is highly
unlikely he was ever vaccinated for it. I read that there is a second test
called the Western blot test that can be done to confirm diagnosis. Given that
there is little likelihood he was ever vaccinated for it, do you see any real
value in having a second test done? My question then is, other than a cat
having been previously vaccinated for FIV, are there any other conditions that
might cause a false positive on a test for FIV."
"I need to consider giving [Punky] some kind of protection, at least
against certain common and usually fatal diseases such as FELV. From what I
have read in a couple of places, it is not recommended to give vaccines that
contain live viruses to a cat who may be immune suppressed. Do you agree with
this? From my understanding, all vaccines that contain killed viruses contain
adjuvants. Is this
correct?I would really like to hear what your opinion is on giving vaccines to
cats that likely have FIV and may already be immune compromised and what you
would recommend."
"Whether or
not Punky has this disease, he will be continuing to stay with me, along with
the other two kitties. My other immediate concern is regarding a decision on
whether or not to vaccinate the other kitties for FIV.Are there any potential
side effects from giving this type of vaccination? Also, how effective is this
type of vaccination? Does this vaccine guarantee that they will not develop FIV
from exposure to it? I noticed that in your article you indicated that the
strain of FIV in Canada is clade C (I live in Winnipeg, MB Canada) and that the
vaccine has not been designed or tested for this strain."
