Feline Kidney Disease From Booster Shots

Chronic renal failure, or kidney disease, is common in older cats. According to Colorado State University, many cases of feline renal failure are not connected to a specific condition or event. Their data suggests that booster shots for feline distemper may contribute to kidney failure as a cat ages. Since kidney disease is an incurable condition that can seriously affect quality of life, this is a real concern. Pet owners who think they're doing the right thing could be making their pets sick.

  1. Significance

    • A majority of cats receive vaccinations for feline distemper, a serious disease caused by feline parvovirus. This disease requires aggressive treatment and can kill cats in 24 hours or fewer. Many veterinarians and owners believe that regular booster shots can help cats avoid getting the disease. The common annual booster may be too often, and could raise your cat's chances of getting kidney disease. The American Association of Feline Practitioners has adjusted vaccine schedules to once every three years.

    Expert Insight

    • According to Colorado State University, feline vaccines are grown using a cell line originally developed from cat kidneys. These vaccines are highly effective, but each does carries a little bit of the cell culture. It appears that cats develop antibodies not only to the viruses in the vaccine itself, but also to the cells in the culture. Vaccinating your cat too frequently could cause it to develop an immune response to its own kidneys, causing damage over time.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Vaccinating your cat correctly without increasing the chances of CRF can be difficult. The best option is to treat each cat as an individual case, instead of relying on an external vaccine schedule. Talk to your veterinarian and discuss all vaccinations before they are administered. Have your cats' health checked annually and determine the correct vaccination plan with the help of your vet. The result should be a cat that's happier and longer-lived.

    Potential

    • Dr. Michael Lappin, professor of Colorado State's Department of Clinical Sciences, is working with Heska Corporation, a producer of veterinary products, to create a blood test for cats. This veterinary market test would allow vets to test their patients for appropriate levels of feline distemper antibodies and tell for certain whether a booster is necessary. This kind of individual testing could save a lot of cats in the long run. As of 2009, a new study of the connection between boosters and kidney disease had been funded at Colorado State.

    Warning

    • If your cat has begun to show signs of feline kidney disease, it's important to get treatment right away. While CRF is incurable, it can be treated with medications and a special diet. The correct treatment could help your cat live a more comfortable life for much longer. Cats that suddenly drink a lot more, urinate more, and show little or no interest in food should be checked for CRF.