How dangerous is the FIP vaccine for cats?

Question

I am moving out of the country for a few years, and am bringing my pets with me. Two of them will be cats, and the country is requiring they be vaccinated for FIP. I know what the disease is, and what causes it, but I can't find much information on how dangerous or even how effective the vaccine is. I think I am going to just have to get it, but perhaps I can make a case against it with the right information. Thanks.

Answer 1

I agree with the the poster that asked if you are confused with FIV.  I think the initials are confusing!

FIV: http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/health/F...

This is spread by biting or s*x according to most information.  It is sometimes referred to as Feline Aids,

FIP: http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/Health/F...

This is a viral disease mutation.  Our vets say that it is pretty much everywhere and cats are exposed fairly often.  Why only some cats succumb to the disease is still disputed.  Cats from catteries seem to be at higher risk, probably because they are in close quarters and some breeders vaccinate for FIP.  The vaccine in my personal experience is lethal, we have never seen a positive outcome.

FELV: http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/health/f...

This is probably the one they want vaccinated.  It is highly contagious and like the others, lethal.  It can be spread by casual contact, litterboxes, bowls, etc...

The FeLV vaccine has the highest incidents of cancer sarcomas.  There is a new vaccination delivery by "air" (not needle) that is supposed to be promising for reducing that risk.  But I would never encourage anyone to use this vaccine unless they had no options.

In your case, bless you for trying to keep your pet, I cannot tell you how often pets are dumped when people move.  Quarantine is very stressful and likely if you are going overseas.  Give kitty some "cage" or confinement time to help get her used to the coming events.  

Talk to your vet frankly about the vaccines and use the web.  The Winn Foundation (links above) is a great tool for cat lovers.

Answer 2

I work in a cat-only vet clinic and rarely give that vaccine. It is a disease caused by the mutation of the Corona Virus, not from another cat directly.

Answer 3

A h**l of a  lot less dangerous than the actual disease! Are you sure you don't mean FIV?

A vet can ring the drug company to find out the data on the vaccine they use. It will have been thoroughly tested to find out how effective it is and what the incidence of reaction is. In England a vaccine won't be certified for use unless it's at least 95% effective, but it's different in America, I think it might only have to be 85% effective, which is why we don't have the FIV vaccine because it's only 88% effective currently. Don't quote me exactly on the figures.

The vet will be able to obtain these answers for you but I doubt anyone on here will.

Chalice

Answer 4

It is certainly seems more dangerous than the usual vaccines.  Do you know why the country requires the vaccine?  Are there many outbreaks of it?  If the disease is more common there then the vaccine might be a good idea, although it's my understanding that its effectiveness is not great and it's so rarely spread from cat to cat it seems odd to require the vaccine.  

I'm not sure how much room there would be to argue about it.  Do you have a way of finding out what other cat owners there think?  Are they able to avoid getting the vaccine or do they think the vaccine is a good idea?  

Chalice, FIP and FIV are two different diseases.  The vaccine for FIV is very common and pretty safe while the vaccine for FIP is newer and much more controversial.