Feline Rabies Vaccine Shortage Forces Tough Choices: The Merial Brand Purevax Nonadjuvanted Feline Rabies Vaccine is on back order until mid June. All other feline rabies vaccines on the market are adjuvanted, meaning they have an extra chemical in the vaccine to help boost the immune response and some of those have the three year duration label. The problem with adjuvanted vaccines is there appears to be a link between the use of those vaccines, genetics, and a skin cancer in some cats called injection site sarcoma. The incidence rate is reported in the literature at between 1 in 1000 and 1 in 10,000. The tough choice. Rabies is serious, fatal, and can be transmitted to humans. It is carried by contact with a wild animal that is infected with the disease. We have seen one case in Derita in a kitten and two bat cases inside homes. If your cat gets exposed to a potentially rabid animal and is correctly vaccinated, no problem. We just give a booster. If you cat is not correctly vaccinated, it faces a 6 month quarantine or the potential of getting rabies. the tough choice is if your cat is due a rabies shot now, do you get the three year vaccine and hope you are not the 1 in 10,000 or do you wait on the Purevax vaccine to come back and take the chance on exposure to wildlife, a bat and the possible very serious consequences that may follow. I believe in an informed client. Google Purevax Rabies Vaccine shortage for more information and call to speak with one of our doctors. A cat that goes outdoors has no choice. You must stay vaccinated as the risk of rabies exposure is much greater than 1 in 10,000. An indoor cat needs to be talked about. We have checked with surrounding animal hospitals and Humane Society and all are in the same boat or use the adjuvanted vaccine. We are in a tough spot. If your cat is due a rabies shot in the near future, call us to discuss options and risks. Mark Green DVM
Posted on: Wed, 30 Apr 2014 14:11:40 +0000
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