Any info on vaccinating cats with clinical conditions?

Re: Any info on vaccinating cats with clinical conditions?

SmegSlayer — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 12:08:16 GMT

I used to work in a practice that had a boarding cattery. It was made clear to all who wanted their cats boarded that they had to be up to date with their vaccines otherwise we wouldn't take them. If a booster was due during their stay, we did it, even if the cat was not a client of ours and the owners were aware of this. they had to sign a consent form to confirm that if the cat was ill during its stay we would treat it and they would be liable for the cost on collection and if vaccines were not up to date (sometimes took a while to get history from other vets if vaccine card was lost) or there was no proof of vaccination we reserved the right to vaccinate.

Re: Any info on vaccinating cats with clinical conditions?

sjcafi — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 09:10:35 GMT

Hi again,

Thanks for the advice. Will keep trying, the practice is a well established and popular clinic with a loyal client base. I think sometimes it is difficult from a business point of view to turn down the requests of long term clients who would not be able to board their cat anywhere else. Other staff are also aware but again it is difficult as either they are new staff or have not worked in other clinics so only have experience of this particular practice.

Hopefully they will understand that the issues I am raising are only because I want to do what is best for the patients and the work environment.

Sarah

Re: Any info on vaccinating cats with clinical conditions?

jules007 — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 16:41:56 GMT

Are you the only one in the practice who recognises there's an issue? I don't know how big your practice is but it might be useful speaking to one of the more experienced/senior assistant vets to help you get the message across to those who have the final say. Trying to change working practices can be difficult but you've clearly highlighted a legitmate problem with the way the practice is running this area of its business- keep trying!!

Jules

Re: Any info on vaccinating cats with clinical conditions?

Mark Hedberg — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 16:11:30 GMT

Leave a dated letter with the practice manager; it's nice to get your concerns on paper in your employee file. If they're not that concerned; best to cover yourself for when it happens.

Perhaps you should put together a few points on suggestions to solve the issue; if you just raised the problem they might have misunderstood and thought you were just complaining about the work. They might be glad of solutions!

Some guidelines on running kennels, the WSAVA vaccine guidelines; point out to them that pets with noninfectious diseases can be vaccinated and if any illness or death occurs because of unvaccinated cats then the fine or legal issues can be severe. If they're after the finances, point out that vaccinations can be charged for, increasing their income.

Cheers,
Mark

Re: Any info on vaccinating cats with clinical conditions?

sjcafi — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 15:59:19 GMT

Hi,

Thank you all for the quick response.

Feeling a little frustrated at the moment as I know what the solution is but I am not in the position to do anything about it. Have discussed with the partners of the clinic and the response is that I should be glad it is busy as it pays my wages.

Re: Any info on vaccinating cats with clinical conditions?

Alison Clare Hickman — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 11:49:07 GMT

Mark,

Sensible advice. As always!

Ali

Re: Any info on vaccinating cats with clinical conditions?

Mark Hedberg — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 09:56:47 GMT

As per vaccination; generally speaking (check with your vet) but vaccinations are a problem if the cat has a compromised immune system or infectious disease. WSAVA has published guidelines on vaccinations in cats and dogs:

[quote]

The VGG discriminates between a shelter and a boarding kennel/cattery. The later are facilities where fully vaccinated animals may be temporarily boarded for relatively short periods of time (e.g. when owners are on vacation). It should be a requirement of entry to any such facility that the individual dog or cat is fully vaccinated with core products given according to the guidelines presented herein. The use of non-core vaccines against respiratory infections is also appropriate under these circumstances. The VGG is aware that in some countries vaccination protocols for animals entering a boarding kennel/cattery are formulated by local authorities and may be contrary to current guidelines (e.g. insistence on annual revaccination). The VGG encourages such authorities to reconsider these recommendations in light of current scientific thinking.[/quote]

http://www.wsava.org/PDF/Misc/VaccinationGuidelines2010.pdf' (page 11-14)

Good luck!

Re: Any info on vaccinating cats with clinical conditions?

Mark Hedberg — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 09:47:33 GMT

Mixing boarding and hospital cats is an accident waiting to happen. I've worked in a practice who did boarding and hospitalization; strict separation is the best idea. If you're full, you're full. I know that sounds like pushing money away, but all you need is one cat coming down with the flu or catching FIP or lord knows what and your clinic is in for it. This is WAY more expensive than just missing out on a week of boarding fees.

Similarly, if a boarding cat falls ill, certainly move it into hospital kennel and deep clean the boarding kennel.

Re: Any info on vaccinating cats with clinical conditions?

jules007 — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 08:31:12 GMT

Hi,

I have no experience of working in a practice that has boarding facilities but I would think that as a veterinary practice you should be offering a gold standard service as the norm, which should mean keeping sick patients and healthy boarding cats seperate. Maybe you should raise your concerns with management and suggest that they only board to capacity, keeping the boarding facilities as a seperate entity to the hospital wards, which seems like a common sense and reasonable suggestion. In the mean time all you can do is ensure that your cleaning/disinfection regime is stringent and identify any possible infectious cases early.

Good luck!

Jules