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Help! Feline Distemper??

JessLynn

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What exactly is a Feline Distemper shot for? My boyfriend and I are going on vacation in about a week and need to board her at our vet but they said Belza needs to have the Feline Distemper shot. And I just got off the phone with Belza's breeder and she said she doesn't know what it is and if we are allowed to give it to her.. We don't want to breech contract and right now don't know what to do now.. :Worn-out:

Belza has an appointment with the vet tomorrow because she has been sneezing/ making this weird noise, kind of like she is going to throw up but doesn't. She hasn't done it today, but was doing it earlier this week at least twice a day. And also we are going to talk to her about her howling after she eats her wet/raw food. And she has been asleep basically all day today, she has only gotten up to eat/drink/go potty..

If anyone could help with any information that would be great.
 
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Mews2much

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I am sorry to say this but all the breeder give that shot.
How can the breeder not know what it is.
Also a cat that is sneezing should not get that.
Here is a link to what it is.
[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feline_panleukopenia"]Feline panleukopenia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w.svg" class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6c/Wiki_letter_w.svg/44px-Wiki_letter_w.svg.png"@@AMEPARAM@@commons/thumb/6/6c/Wiki_letter_w.svg/44px-Wiki_letter_w.svg.png[/ame]


 

susi794

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My God---that is the first baby shot they get--along with two to three more boosters. How can a breeder not know that shot???

The kittens get panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, and calicivirus shots --all three the first time, then all three three weeks later, thenagain three weeks after that.

If your cat hasn't been given those shots, you need to get them, as they are extremely important.
 

JessLynn

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Okay, so on Belza's shot records she has gotten these three shots.. and has been dewormed.
Feline Viral Rhinotrachetitis, Calicivirus and Feline Panleukopenia, but only once when she was about 2 months old. The vet told me that normally those three shots above are given again after she is 16 weeks old. Which she hasn't had yet. I called the breeder and she said she doesn't do another set of those to any of her other cats.. So I asked her if we were to give her another set of shots which brand can we use and she said to only use the Merial Pure Vax 3 way one..

She hasn't had shots for Feline Leukemia or Rabies..

What should I do? The breeder said she was going to look up the feline distemper shot and ask other breeders about it, and that she would email us back and let us know if we can do this or not.. So I'm hoping she will realize that it isn't bad..

:Worn-out:
 

ckutkuhn7

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I hope she realizes you can give the distemper too! As for the feline Leukemia (SP?), I've heard that isnt a good vacination to get. I saw it on here somewhere. I declined that shot at the vets. Goodluck and keep us posted!
 

Gadzukz

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This is just my opinion, and probably not worth much but here ya go~ It's YOUR cat, I would do what YOUR vet reccommends to keep her healthy.Most vets deem the luekemia vacc unneccesary for indoor cats, and most people (me too) here don't give that one. maybe I am missing something here, but why is the breeder involved in the health care of your cat, and how would she have access to your cat;s medical records to know what was given? I would put more stock in the vet's opinion if you trust your vet. after all he is the one with the degree, as well as the one who will be caring for her should she become ill.

Edit: I just read a little more, it seems distemper is just another name for Panleukopenia, so your cat has had the vacc already anyway.
 

Mews2much

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Feline Panleukopenia is the Distemper shot.
Omg how can the breeder not know that.
Merial Pure Vax is what I use for my cats.
It is safer and is a 1 year shot.
Do not give the Leukemia shot it is not good and voids the contract on all my cats.
Also it killed my Lucy.



 

JessLynn

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This is just my opinion, and probably not worth much but here ya go~ It's YOUR cat, I would do what YOUR vet reccommends to keep her healthy.Most vets deem the luekemia vacc unneccesary for indoor cats, and most people (me too) here don't give that one. maybe I am missing something here, but why is the breeder involved in the health care of your cat, and how would she have access to your cat;s medical records to know what was given? I would put more stock in the vet's opinion if you trust your vet. after all he is the one with the degree, as well as the one who will be caring for her should she become ill.

Edit: I just read a little more, it seems distemper is just another name for Panleukopenia, so your cat has had the vacc already anyway.

I know she is my kitty and I should do what my vet recommends I am just new to owning this breed of cat as well as having a contract with her breeder. So I want to make sure and not do anything I shouldn't to breech the contract incase something happens to Belza and she would maybe need/ask for any updates on her vaccines. I will call my vet tomorrow and talk to her about the shot. Thank you for your help :Smile:
 

Sleepyheadkitten

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Distemper in cats is the same as parvo in dogs and it is the most horrible death I have ever seen a cat have to go through... DO NOT play with this vaccine- it is the core FVRCP vaccine that your kitten received at 8 weeks and 12 weeks.
 

ilovemysphynx

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Hi JessLynn, It sounds to me like you have had a communication issue with your breeder, the 3 vaccines you have listed include the distemper they are just not calling it that exactly, I would go over that with your vet. Also your kitty should be due for a booster (not sure how old she is) and also should have the rabbies vaccine. The leukemia vaccine is most likely the one that would breach your contract because the risks are greater then the benefit.
You have said that you are going to board her while you are away, I would try to see if you can have a friend, relative or even a pet sitter come over to your place while you are gone to take care of her. ( when we are away my friend comes over a million times a day, it is great because all our pets know her, they get to stay home, no routine change, and less $$ for us. I just buy her a bunch of gifts :Wink:) because of the issues she has been having after eating and sleeping alot sounds like she could have something brewing and the stress of being boarded could make it worse, or she could pick something up from another pet that is there. I would start giving Lysine just for a immune boost and have the vet check her out because of the coughing and sneezing. I have no idea what the howling after eating is, does she sound like she is in pain? or is it a good howl?



Okay, so on Belza's shot records she has gotten these three shots.. and has been dewormed.
Feline Viral Rhinotrachetitis, Calicivirus and Feline Panleukopenia, but only once when she was about 2 months old. The vet told me that normally those three shots above are given again after she is 16 weeks old. Which she hasn't had yet. I called the breeder and she said she doesn't do another set of those to any of her other cats.. So I asked her if we were to give her another set of shots which brand can we use and she said to only use the Merial Pure Vax 3 way one..

She hasn't had shots for Feline Leukemia or Rabies..

What should I do? The breeder said she was going to look up the feline distemper shot and ask other breeders about it, and that she would email us back and let us know if we can do this or not.. So I'm hoping she will realize that it isn't bad..

:Worn-out:
 

MissMySphynxBoys

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Hi JessLynn.

I'm sorry to hear that your breeder hasn't been such a good resource in helping you balance new sphynx "motherhood". I'm glad you came to the Lair to ask for help. Please follow your vet's advice and if possible follow ilovemysphynx' suggestion to find a pet sitter for your baby as it would be a less stressful arrangement for you all.

Good luck. Sending you soothing vibes to calm your mommy worries.
 

marlene

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Gah. Wanting you to take the kitten to a vet that far away isn't anywhere near realistic and that breeder knows it. I'm so sorry things aren't going well for you.

I would follow your vet's advice, at least that's someone you can trust. And I'd listen to the folks here at the lair - these people have extensive experience and are a great resource.

I noticed you mentioned that your baby hasn't had the rabies shot yet. I recommend having that done as soon as your vet recommends. The rabies shot (for an indoor kitty) is more for legal protection than health protection. If your girl bites/scratches someone (especially a stranger) then the only thing that will save her is being able to prove she's been vaccinated for rabies.
 

Mews2much

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I would use the Purvax Rabies shot it is the safest one.
Here there is no law for Rabies shots.
You need to look up the law where you live.




 

MissMySphynxBoys

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I would use the Purvax Rabies shot it is the safest one.
Here there is no law for Rabies shots.
You need to look up the law where you live.

You make another good point Mews2much....I forgot that rabies laws vary from state to state, so a cat is up to date on their shots in one state may not be considered up to date in another.
 

JessLynn

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Hi JessLynn, It sounds to me like you have had a communication issue with your breeder, the 3 vaccines you have listed include the distemper they are just not calling it that exactly, I would go over that with your vet. Also your kitty should be due for a booster (not sure how old she is) and also should have the rabbies vaccine. The leukemia vaccine is most likely the one that would breach your contract because the risks are greater then the benefit.
You have said that you are going to board her while you are away, I would try to see if you can have a friend, relative or even a pet sitter come over to your place while you are gone to take care of her. ( when we are away my friend comes over a million times a day, it is great because all our pets know her, they get to stay home, no routine change, and less $$ for us. I just buy her a bunch of gifts :Wink:) because of the issues she has been having after eating and sleeping alot sounds like she could have something brewing and the stress of being boarded could make it worse, or she could pick something up from another pet that is there. I would start giving Lysine just for a immune boost and have the vet check her out because of the coughing and sneezing. I have no idea what the howling after eating is, does she sound like she is in pain? or is it a good howl?

Thank you everyone for your feedback and support! You all have been so helpful! :ThumbsUp:
I will have to stop by the store and pick up the Lysine and see if that helps her. I was watching her today and I think she does the coughing/sneeze thing after she uses her box and cleans off her paws.. So I was thinking maybe it's her litter ? I am using worlds best, it's all natural and everything but who knows if that's what she is reacting to.
I would have someone watch over her but the only person that I would trust is my sister and she just moved to Seattle :Sad: And the only roommate that is here now I do not trust at all, no offense but he isn't very smart.. He tried to feed our kitty some pepperoni the other day, as well as some of his muscle training shake thing.. I think he was just kidding but still.. Haha. I might ask one of the girls I work with if she wouldn't mind..
Anyways. I can't tell if the howling sounds like she is in pain or not.. It makes me sad, so I am thinking it sounds more in pain? After I finish writing this I am going to call the vet and make an appt to get her updated on shots and ask her these questions. Thank you again for all your help!
 

Gadzukz

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Let us know what the vet says, I had a puppy that would howl after eating in pain and sometimes vomit, he turned out to have an enlarged esophagus, I don't know if that can happen to cats or not, but am interested in what it is!

Good luck!
 

xAnnthia

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One thing I will say on this topic. . .
A lot of people do it, as well as breeders, but it is my firm belief (and my clinics) that you should NEVER give ANY animal more than one vaccine at a time.
#1, you're putting them at a risk for over-vaccination.
#2. If they have a reaction to any of the vaccines, you won't know which one it is.

Also, after 3 years old, you can run the feline distemper titer. Which will test their blood work to see if they still have their vaccine from last year at full potency in their system. If they do, you don't need to vaccinate them again.

Over-vaccinating is very real, avoid it when possible.

I'm not telling you all how to take care of your pets, just some things I've been taught that I'm passing along. . .
 

DoctorSpock

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One thing I will say on this topic. . .
A lot of people do it, as well as breeders, but it is my firm belief (and my clinics) that you should NEVER give ANY animal more than one vaccine at a time.
#1, you're putting them at a risk for over-vaccination.
#2. If they have a reaction to any of the vaccines, you won't know which one it is.

Also, after 3 years old, you can run the feline distemper titer. Which will test their blood work to see if they still have their vaccine from last year at full potency in their system. If they do, you don't need to vaccinate them again.

Over-vaccinating is very real, avoid it when possible.

I'm not telling you all how to take care of your pets, just some things I've been taught that I'm passing along. . .

FINALLY a person who understands Vaccinosis! Yipppeeee.... My Dr. Spock had/has it and we're pretty much done with vax's! There has been numerous papers by vets on this subject and it's very interesting! Please, please .... all you guardians research this over vaccination scenario... It's a killer! Vets are only doing what they learned in college. Be proactive and learn as much as you can about vaccinosis (over vaccination)... Humans babies do not receive constant booster's every year, why should our companions? Immune systems all work the same whether you're a human or an animal. Once you receive/get the"bug" it fights it and then memorizes how to fight it.. Done... no need to tell it again... But! It does create some nice revenue for the drug companies and the vets.. :Angry: to our babies detriment! Nuff said... I'll get off my soap box. :Wink::LOL:
 

Embracing-Joyx4

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I enjoyed re-educating and reconfirming my beliefs about over vaccinating. Plus I have a breeder that feels the same way if it were not for her strict contract I would have not realized how much I put my fur kitties in harms way. I know a lot more about nutrition and health from becoming a sphynx owner and all my kitties have benefited from it! I love the lair!
 

NeyaBenz

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I'd highly recommend getting that rabies vaccine done also. Not just for legal reasons...
If for whatever reason your indoor cat escapes and is injured by a wild "high risk"(skunk, raccoon, bat, ground hog etc) animal and you cannot produce a rabies vaccine (or the wild animal cannot be tested directly, for whatever reason)you will go through the huge heartache of being told to either put down your animal or isolation quarantine for 6+ months.
 
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