If you live in a country where rabies is present in the wildlife population, vaccinating your pets against this deadly disease is not only important to help save their lives, but it may also be a legal which is necessary. As with so many things in the US, the laws and regulations regarding rabies vaccination differ between states. Many states have no state law enforcing rabies vaccination, while in others it is mandatory for cats, dogs, and ferrets to be vaccinated, even if they do not venture outside.
Once you’ve navigated the legalities of rabies vaccination, you’ll now be faced with more inconsistencies, such as rabies vaccines that need to be given annually versus those that are only given every 3 years. While it’s up to you to know what your legal obligations are regarding the rabies vaccination, we can help you when it comes to understanding the different types of vaccines, vaccination schedules, and whether one is best for your cat. But first let’s get our knowledge about the rabies virus itself first.
Rabies Virus in Cats
The rabies virus can infect any mammalian species and is transmitted through saliva, usually through a bite, although contact with an open wound can also lead to infection. Interestingly, although cats are the most commonly reported rabid species in the United States, there have been no recorded cases of cat-to-cat transmission of the disease.
The virus attacks the nervous system, producing signs such as:
- lack of appetite
- Irritability
- hiding
- Nervous
- Assault
- Wild animals can lose their fear of humans
The disease usually develops in two forms:
- Furious (also called “mad dog”) rabies, which includes pupil dilation, overt aggression, and attacks with teeth and claws at slight provocation or loud noises.
- Paralytic (also called “dumb”) rabies, which includes paralysis of the throat and jaw muscles, excessive salivation and inability to swallow, and loss of muscle control. These animals rarely bite, but people can become infected when examining the mouth.
Diagnosis is very difficult, with a definitive diagnosis requiring post-mortem examination of brain tissue. Additionally, rabies can mimic several different diseases.
Unvaccinated cats suspected of being infected with rabies should be euthanized immediately or kept in isolation for 6 months. Vaccinated cats should be given another dose of vaccination and carefully observed for 45 days. Hybrid cats, such as Ocicat or Savannah cats, can be vaccinated against rabies, but their vaccination status is not formally recognized, and if a hybrid pet bites a person, the law may require them to be euthanized to be tested for the rabies virus.
Immunization is Key
With the high risk of transmission to humans, especially in its rabid form, vaccination is the most important step you can take to protect yourself and your cat, regardless of your state’s laws. Rabies vaccines are considered highly protective against infection, with vaccine failure rarely reported.
According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the recommended vaccination schedule for cats is as follows:
- First vaccination between 8 and 16 weeks
- Second vaccination within 12 months
- Subsequent vaccinations every 3 years; however, local laws may require vaccination annually, or every 2 years.
An animal is considered fully protected 28 days after the first vaccination, and immediately following subsequent vaccinations, provided they are given within the recommended schedule. These dates need to be strictly observed, especially regarding travel.
1-, 2-, or 3-Year Vaccines—What’s the Difference?
This is where things get a little tricky, but stay with us. First, we need to talk about adjuvants in vaccines.
Adjuvanted vs. Non-Adjuvanted
An adjuvant is a substance that increases the body’s immune response to vaccination, which is great from a protective point of view, but it is the cause of most of the side effects of vaccination, such as dizziness, fever, swelling, and pain. . For cats, there is an additional risk associated with adjuvanted vaccines: feline injection site sarcoma (FISS). The vaccinations most often implicated in the development of FISS are the vaccines for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and rabies virus.
To try to reduce the risks of FISS, the vaccine intervals have been changed to reduce the risks of developing sarcoma while maintaining a high level of immunity, so most vaccines are recommended to be given every 3 years when a cat has their initial booster, about 12 months after their kitten vaccination. Although there are dog studies that indicate that immunity can last up to 8 years in some individuals, a balance must be struck between minimizing the potential risks of adverse vaccine reactions and public health implications.
A further step has been taken by the company Purevax, which uses recombinant canarypox virus to safely provide immunity against FeLV and rabies, without the need for an adjuvant. FeLV vaccine is currently only licensed for annual vaccination intervals, but in the UK, rabies vaccine is licensed for 3-yearly revaccination, following a booster given 12 months after primary vaccination.
In the US, there are two versions of the Purevax rabies vaccine: a 1-year and a 3-year injection, with the only difference being the labeling. Based on the different laws that exist in different regions of the US, we can only assume that the two formulations were made to make it easier for veterinarians to comply with this law. However, there are cases where veterinarians only use the 1-year formulation, mistakenly believing that it provides better protection than the 3-year vaccine.
So, Which Vaccine Is Better?
Given the high level of protection provided by the non-adjuvanted Purevax rabies 3-year vaccine, there seems no doubt that it is the clear winner in terms of minimizing risks while keeping your cat and family protected. However, for cats with health conditions or who are immunocompromised, an adjuvanted vaccine may provide better protection, as non-adjuvanted vaccines rely on a strong immune response to provide future protection. .
With the exception of California, which requires cats to be vaccinated every 2 years after their first course, vaccination requirements in the US appear to be in accordance with the product being used. However, it’s important to check with your local government body to make sure you’re complying with their laws.
Most veterinary clinics will only carry one or two brands of vaccine, so you may have to call around to find one that uses the vaccine you want, following the schedule set by the AAHA. Talk to your vet about their recommendations and experience, as there may be other geographic and individual factors to consider.
Final Thoughts
Rabies is a very dangerous and deadly virus, and the best way for you to protect yourself, your family, and your pets is through vaccination. Even if you live in an area where rabies infection is not common, even a low risk is very high when it comes to this virus.
Many of the concerns of the past about adverse reactions to vaccines, especially regarding cats, have been significantly reduced by changing vaccine schedules and the creation of a reliable, non-adjuvanted version of the rabies vaccine. Unlike the non-adjuvanted FeLV vaccine, the Purevax rabies vaccine is actually licensed for a 3-year dosing, providing the perfect compromise between minimizing side effects and maximizing protection. Be aware that a non-adjuvanted vaccine may not be suitable for cats with health conditions or compromised immune systems. In these cases, a 3-year adjuvant vaccine would be the safest option.
Confusing labeling and variations in state and local laws surrounding rabies vaccinations can make it difficult to know what’s best for your feline family member, but hopefully, you can use the information this to talk to your vet about your options.
Featured Image Credit: bmf-foto.de, Shutterstock