Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hey all,
my little tripawd has been doing great since her op aside from some food allergies, but we're thinking about introducing another (vaccinated) cat to the household. Due to COVID my cat hasn't been up to date on her vaccinations yet but I'm worried about the risk of the vaccines themselves. Apart from any legally mandated vaccinations, I'm just curious what everyone's opinion is on vaccines that are deemed necessary? Do you vaccinate at all?
I think I'm a little paranoid since my baby did end up developing osteosarcoma on the usual leg they vaccinated her on though the surgeon didn't think it was related.
~ Vanessa + Mew ~
Hi Bluemoon,
I support vaccines because they are very helpful for your furry kid’s health. Most vet offices do curbside visits. Very simple only you do not get to be with your pet which is probably better since most of us probably over react when in the office causing undo stress for our furry kids. Upon arrival just give them a call stating you are there.
Cancer does what it wants to. Me personally, I firmly believe it is all the very unhealthy things added to all of our foods. Reading labels for all food products is a huge part. When labels say such things as natural it is very miss leading unless you read the label. Try to get as much healthier foods for both your furry kid and you.
We try to do as much research as possible learning about the issues at hand and encourage asking, most certainly, any and all questions you may have.
Hope this helps and all the best warm dog hugs!
Apart from any legally mandated vaccinations, I’m just curious what everyone’s opinion is on vaccines that are deemed necessary? Do you vaccinate at all?
What a great topic! Thanks for introducing it.
My own opinion is that since every situation is different, vaccines are not a one-size-fits-all thing. The animal's lifestyle plays a huge part. For example, our Wyatt Ray was a big outdoorsy dog who always had his nose in deer poop and pond water. This put him at risk of diseases carried by wildlife and insects. We chose to vaccinate him against those diseases as a result. But Wyatt was an otherwise healthy dog who didn't have immune system problems or cancer. If he had, I think our vaccine approach would have been VERY different. We did consider titering instead of vaccinating, but found the process to be prohibitively expensive at the time.
When Jerry was with us, we opted out of vaccinating not too long after his diagnosis. We felt that we could control his environment enough to minimize the risk of wildlife diseases, and we did, and he was fine.
Some day when we have a dog again, we will look long and hard at vaccines, taking into consideration the dogs health. But more than likely we will spend the money to titer, and then vaccinate when titers show he needs the protection.
Dr. Marty Goldstein's new book, the Spirit of Animal Healing, has lots of interesting information about vaccines and pets, you might want to check it out. I'll be reviewing it soon in the Tripawds Nutrition blog , stay tuned!
Here's a good article about Vaccines and Our Pets.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Its a question of what the risks are.
If you vaccinate against a disease that has a 1 in 100 chance of killing your pet, but that vaccine has a 1 in 1000 chance of causing cancer then as a matter of pure logic it is worth vaccinating.
People freak out that they do not want to be to blame in case it causes cancer, but that really placing your own emotions above the wellbeing of your pet.
I say look at the risks and act accordingly.
- "what shall be done for these innocents? I have been warned not even to raise the question of animal immortality, lest I find myself “in company with all the old maids”. I have no objection to the company" - C S Lewis (The Problem of Pain)
- "Mr Toplady was touched by the cruelty of the scene, and exclaimed, ' Who could bear to see that sight, if there were not to be some compensation for these poor suffering animals in a future state' 'I certainly hope,' said my grandfather, ' that all the bulls will go to heaven; but do you think this will be the case with all the animal creation' 'Yes, certainly,' replied Mr Toplady, with great emphasis, ' all, all!" - Josiah Bull (recording a meeting with the great A. M. Toplady, author of "Rock of Ages" in "Memorials of the Rev. William Bull of Newport, Pagnel")
- "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God" Luke 12:6
Hi Vanessa, Excellent to see Mew is doing so well! 
whoo hoo
Give her a chin/ear scratch from us, please.😽
This is a sensitive topic to a lot of us for a good reason! We are down a leg.
We vaccinate in the leg so we can take that leg off. The entire situation is barbaric for cats, especially.
You wanted to know what we all do- We NO LONGER vaccinate the boys.
I agree. Go by risk and lifestyle and titers! We used to do titers before Purrkins got cancer. After that, we Xed all vaccines and titers.
When we are on three, you need to think carefully about this.
If we were getting a new indoor-only kitty, I would do the core vaccines for the kitty and then be done! IF IN DOUBT LATER, do titers and see if they are needed.
My opinion - I would no longer vaccinate MEW. She is an indoor cat!
I will you leave you with some information. Do your research and, most of all, FOLLOW YOUR instinct, ok! You are hesitant for a good reason. If your vet gives you any grief, find a new vet, ok. A good vet will indeed look at the risks, especially on three. What leg would we remove, just saying? GRRR
New Feline Vaccination Guidelines Focus on Individual Risk-Benefit Assessment
There is no single protocol for all cats
The updated guidelines stress the need for an expanded understanding by veterinary professionals of individualized feline risk factors to determine a proper preventive healthcare plan. Vaccination plans should be tailored to each individual patient and be guided by an individual risk–benefit assessment.
Risk is determined by the patient’s life stage, lifestyle, clinical history, and health status as well as environmental and epidemiologic risk factors.
2020 AAHA/AAFP Feline Vaccination Guidelines
Vaccine Associated Sarcoma - Fibrosarcoma, Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma
Congrats on the new kitten. Come back and give us some pics of Mew and the latest addition, please.
Best of luck
Hugs,
Holly & Purrkins💝💝💝
Holly, so glad you chimed in and gave some balance. I'm not a kitty expert by any means, but I know with my dogs I only do what's ABSOLUTELY necessary which, In my State is rabies vaccine required by law..
Mew has some good input and food links. No righf or wrong, no judgement . We support whatever path you take.
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Excellent input everypawdy! We always learn so much from this community.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I agree jerry, great input from everyone!
@k0dab3ar, Most definitely! After Mew's diagnosis I switched her food immediately after learning how unregulated pet food really is. It's quite disturbing. For anyone interested I have been following Susan's website for a few years now. Who knows how many pets have become sick from food alone?
I hadn't heard of titers before and had no idea they were an option. Great! It's really quite a tough decision, but I'll be bringing up all these points to her vet when I see her tomorrow for something unrelated and hopefully have an easier time deciding 🙂 Right now I'm on the same page as Holly, hoping I don't have to vaccinate her and can just vaccinate the new cat but we shall see!
Thanks again everyone, and if anyone has any more information or thoughts feel free to share!
~ Vanessa + Mew ~
I'm so glad you have the titers information! Yes it's a great option, and while it's more expensive than vaccinating, it can give real piece of mind knowing you aren't giving your pet more vaccines then they actually need. Let us know what your vet says!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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