Question for Rescuers

[Laura's Babies]

I went to our local feed store and bought the 4 in one shots to give Wally and Marty their shots myself (have done animal shots on dogs a lot) and my vets office tells me that the only stuff like that, that the feed stores can sell is behind the times stuff, that it is not the newer, updated stuff for todays viruses that the vets have. I can bring them in and the vet can do it for $16.00 each cat for me, just set up an appointment....

In rescueing and trapping, you have to look at the cheapest way so you can help MORE.. I can do 3 cats for what the vets wants for ONE with the feed store stuff.. Anyone with any input, please let me hear what you have to say...

Have these fleine viruses mutated and changed? Does the vaccines have to change, like say our flu vaccines do every year? Anybody know anything about this? I don't want to have to have them get these shots TWICE....

[moosmom]

I myself, don't believe in over vaccinating. I get my cats vaccinated every 3 years with the Distemper and Rabies only. I don't take them to the vet to have it done. Rather, I go to vaccination clinics at Petco or PetSmart. It costs me $30 per cat. I do it when I have the money.

I'm a little too nervous to vaccinate my own cats. But that's me. First thing I would do it check the expiration date on the package. If the package has a company name and location (sometimes they also have a toll-free number on it) I would try calling them and asking them about their product.

As long as the expiration date is current, I wouldn't worry about it. It sounds to me like the vet is trying to make money. As long as you know how to give injections and where, just make sure that you keep an eye on the injection site for any possible reactions.

Vaccinating the cats with stuff from the feed store is a hell of alot better than not vaccinating at all.

[kimlovescats]

Laura .... most feed stores sell the same vaccinations as the vets use .... the most important thing is to look to be sure it is a KILLED VIRUS vaccine! Fort Dodge is the brand that most veterinarians use. You can buy the exact same vaccines online, and they will air ship them packed in ice to you. It is cheaper to buy it by the vial and buy some small syringes. I would order in the winter time though, because last summer I ordered and by the time I received them, the ice packs had melted and the bottle was WARM to the touch. I called, and the company said they were "fine" but I was too leary to use them.... so I wasted a vial of vaccine. I would shop at a local Co-Op and just check the things I mentioned at first!;)

[Laura's Babies]

Kim, do you have the link to that sight. I found Fort Dodge on the web but no places to order and buy anything.. PM it to me if you would please.

[NoahsMommy]

Drs. Foster Smith carries them too:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/NavResults.cfm?Ntt=vaccine&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2002&Nty=1

I think they are fine. Some vet's don't like competition. I know that when I worked at the vet, people wanted to get their animal's RX through Pet Meds and our office manager said we had to make it seem like they got their products in a "questionable manner". That sounds like what your vet is doing.

[catmandu]

I was ging,to suggest,those Good Doctors,too,although,they dont ship,to Canada! And beside that,they have lots,of Cat Treats,and Toys,as well.