Question:
Regarding vaccinations for cats, you say that every three years is OK for cats to get vaccinated for the rhinotracheitis, calici and panleukopenia viruses. My neutered male cat is 12 years old. Every year he gets these vaccinations, but because of your article I decided in September not to vaccinate him. The only vaccination he got was for rabies. Thanks to you, he now has herpes in his right eye.Also, a lady wrote in telling you about her cat who had seizures because she used Advantage flea killer. You go on to say that by using these on-the-spot flea drops a cat's health is in danger. How can Advantage be dangerous? It's topical; it does not go into the cat's bloodstream or internally into their organs. I've lost all respect for you as a vet.
R.G.K., Fowler, CA May 02, 2004
Answer:
Your old cat has received so many unnecessary repeat vaccinations that his immune system is seriously impaired. This is a more likely the reason he developed herpes in his right eye. Or is it a dry-eye corneal ulcer? He should see an eye specialist.The new flea and tick spot-on killers are applied topically, but if they were not quickly absorbed into the animal's body they wouldn't work. This is precisely the risk: They are not topical drugs, but systematic insect poisons to which some dogs and cats are particularly sensitive.
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