Cat vaccinations

[Barbwire]

The vet is coming today to vaccinate and do Coggins tests on A & M. In the past I have had him vaccinate my cats, too. Now that we have 3, and I am trying to save some jingle, I wonder if it is really necessary to vaccinate them at all. They NEVER go out or board anywhere.

Thoughts on this? http://homepage.mac.com/oatmeal/MAF/maxes/CatMax4.gif

[paintedhorizon]

If you have a Tractor Supply Company near you, it would probably be cheaper to do it yourself.

as far as the vaccines, just b/c they don't go anywhere doesn't mean something won't come to them. Stray cat, sick bird/mouse, etc

[Barbwire]

They don't EVER go out.

[Mellifluous]

All my cat gets is his yearly rabies. He has been just fine.


I also do preventative maintenace for worms and fleas, etc.

[motorgypsy]

Check on the law. Here rabies is required and must be done by a vet but there are "drive through vaccine places" around here that give rabies for $5. If you can give it yourself you can order the shots online and it is very much cheaper. The easiest way to give a cat a shot is to put it in a mesh laundry bag and shoot through it. Watch the vet closely or look up where to give it. None of our vets disinefect the site because a clean needle doesn't take anything in with it IF the site is dry so if you choose to disinfect the site you must wait until it is totally dry before you then innoculate. The main reason you give rabies is if a guest gets scratched or bitten you could be sued if they don't have the shots. A rabid bat or some other small animal could get in your house and infect your indoor cats as someone else mentioned also.

[jodiTowne]

Rabies of course should be done, but the others you could forgo or decrease to every couple years. Vets are currently trying to decide whats exceptable. The thinking is an indoor cat is overvaccinated if done every year. If your family members go places where you might bring something home on your clothes (other barns) or you have strays that can greet your cats thru screens that is a risk. Another worry would be if your cat had to go into the vets for an illness he may pick something up.

I am in the same boat...my cat is indoors and not exposed to any other cats and I rarely go to other barns, so I will probably drop the shots except rabies or do all the shots only when she needs the rabies every 3 years. OR I may start getting all except rabies thru the catalogs....for dog, cat and horses!!

[paintedhorizon]

Oh, they are purely INSIDE! Okay, gotcha! Do you ever have a problem with mice getting in? If not, then I wouldn't worry unless law provides for it

[appyday]

If you have a Tractor Supply Company near you, it would probably be cheaper to do it yourself.

as far as the vaccines, just b/c they don't go anywhere doesn't mean something won't come to them. Stray cat, sick bird/mouse, etc

Yeah this...most cat stuff is airborn...friends can bring it in on their clothes..probably $5 under at a store and do yourlself...if they do not go out no need for leaukemia or Fip just do the 4 way..

should have done your own horse shots too...only have the vet do Coggins

[Blameitonbrio]

I just took my cat in yesterday for shots. the vet told me that the new Feline RCPCP was now a three year vaccine, so that helped. Of course, rabies is still yearly. Often, if you do a titer, you will find that your dog (and I think it is true for cats) is immune beyond the expiration date of the vaccine. However, the titer is more expensive than that vaccine and you might find you need to give the vaccine anyway. Wow! I relaly haven't helped at all, have I? I vote you order vaccines. I do that for my dogs and it is $5/shot vs. $40. Or Tractor Supply may have them too.

[Barbwire]

I used to vaccinate my own animals until I had a cat almost die. Nope, ain't doing it again.

The vet came and did the horses. He said the cats really didn't need anything.

[baileyholc]

My cats are inside kittys. They do step outside occasionly. But , they don't go farther than the bottum step. But, anyway. My cats are spaid and nutererd. And leo was always getting worms. The Vet told me to use Advanage on them anyway and to continue with their yearly vaccanations. If anything else comes up just bring them in. The Advanage helps with the fleas and that is what couses him to get worms. So now he is worm free. Witch reminds me they are due for a check up as well as my Aussie.

[stella]

Aside from rabies, the only really important shot for adult neutered cats, is Leukemia. A breeder, you'd want to give distemper,etc.

[Blameitonbrio]

He said the cats really didn't need anything.

I love a vet that doesn't try to sell you everything!

[Terri]

I believe rabies is a 3 yr on a cat. And around here towns often hold rabies clinics, you can bring your cat and for 5 or 10 bucks have the shot and the cert. Call your town hall and see. Also my vet will do the pets on the same day as the barn call so I dont have to bring them and incure an office visit. Now if I can get Mico to stop running up vet bills......hmmm.

[CarolU]

We don't vaccinate our house cats. They are like yours, never go out and are never exposed to anything.

We do vaccinate our outdoor cats, once a year with everything. Cats are very susceptable to rabies.