Do Hairless Cats Need the Rabies Vaccine?

This is a very interesting topic since we all know the medical rules for humans are forever changing, one minute something is good for you the next it is bad. Does the same thing now apply for our fur and nude babies?

I was recently researching the current Vaccines that are required for your baby to maintain its optimal health and discovered the term for vaccines is Core and Non-Core Vaccines. Core Vaccines are still considered to be beneficial for our animals but the Non-Core Vaccines are determined by lifestyle, geographical location and place of risk where infection might occur. some Non-Core Vaccines are more or less either not effective or may have more harm than good.. Rabies however is a Core Vaccine but i feel since it can be related to the pets environment can it be optional? I personally recommend at least one rabies shot in case your nude or fur baby should ever get loose. Even if they are strictly a house cat and do not travel where you go. It is always better to have them protected from the exposure of other animals they may come in contact with. Especially in the event they may "Lord Forbid" get stolen , run away, escape their loving home for the grass greener on the other side of the window :).. In most states even though it has been contested the Rabies Vaccine is required by Most State /County Laws. There have even been some studies show even with a Rabies Vaccine given every 3 years your pet may not be protected from rabies. Much like the flu vaccine it helps prevent it but you can still get it.

Here is an interesting View by AAFP and Dr. Schultz . Because knowledge is power and the health of your baby is the most important.

"Dr. Schultz replied that several years ago, the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) decided to look at all the USDA-licensed vaccines that were available for cats. They put them into categories, with the first and most important category being the core vaccines, which are those vaccines that every cat should receive.

Then they went back over the list looking for vaccines that should not be given to any cat, and placed those in a category called not-recommended vaccines.

All remaining vaccines on the list – those that didn’t fall into either the core or not-recommended vaccine categories – were placed in a third category called non-core or optional vaccines. These were to be given based on individual need, after considering a number of factors. So that’s how categories of vaccines came into existence."

CORE Vaccines:

1. Feline Panelukpoenia

This parvovirus may cause fever, dehydration, diarrhea, neurological symptoms, and can prove to be fatal for infected cats, especially young cats. Even worse, the causative virus is very resilient and can survive for years in contaminated environments. Fortunately there is a vaccination for the feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), which can be administered as early as six weeks of age

2. Feline Calicivirus

One of two viruses which most commonly are responsible for upper respiratory infections in cats, feline calicivirus is highly communicable in unvaccinated cats, and is commonly seen in multicat facilities, shelters, poorly ventilated households, and breeding catteries. Typically the vaccination for feline calcivirus is combined with the vaccines for feline panleukopenia and feline rhinotracheitis. It can be administered as early as six weeks and should be repeated at 3-4 week intervals until your kitten is at least 16 weeks of age and then repeated one year later.

3. Feline Rhinotracheitis

The other virus commonly associated with upper respiratory infections in cats, feline rhinotracheitis may affect cats of all ages but is most risky for unvaccinated kittens, pregnant cats, or those suffering from a lowered immunity due to a pre-existing disease. This vaccination is typically combined with the vaccines for feline panleukopenia and feline calicivirus and is administered as early as six weeks of age, with repeat boosters at 3-4 week intervals until your kitten is at least 16 weeks of age.

4. Rabies

Rabies is an inflammatory infection that specifically affects the gray matter of the brain and central nervous system. Once the virus enters the cat's body, it replicates in the cells of the muscles and then spreads to the closest nerve fibers, including all peripheral, sensory, and motor nerves, traveling from there to the CNS via fluid within the nerves. Fortunately there is a vaccination against the rabies virus. Depending on the type of vaccine your veterinarian uses, it can be given at either 8 or 12 weeks of age. For the recombinant vaccines, boosters are recommended annually.

NON - CORE Vaccines:

These vaccinations are no less important than core vaccines, though they are typically only recommended for cats whose lifestyles or living situations place them at risk for the diseases in question. Due to the lack of studies on some , some have been found to be non beneficial or have more serious side effects that may be life threatening.

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