Toby - vaccination or not?

[ScantyNebula]

I got a reminder from our vet saying that Toby hasn't been vaccinated for over a year - they say I should make an appt. to get ( I guess his yearly) shots

Is it recommended that I do give him shots once a year? I'm not sure of the benefits, or if I should even get it done.

Any advice?

Thank you

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I know others with more experience will reply, but I think the very minimum you need to get is the rabies if it's required in your area. Some of the others you may be able to take a pass on since Toby is strictly indoors, but I'm not really sure which ones....

[boscibo]

I have been going through this with my babies, too. Rabies is required here, so last year that is all I got for them. They have all had their initial series, and Abby & Bo have had all shots yearly. I decided last year to skip the vaccs with my vets OK, my cats are indoors only. But now I am having second thoughts. I wonder what would happen if I decided to adopt another cat, or if I happened to find a stray (that's how I got Hanna).

I just want to do what is best for my kitties, and as you can see I still haven't made up my mind one way or the other. Sigh.

[rpcathouse]

1. Does the cat go outside or just a quick run out the door and back? IF yes, get vaccinated.
2. How old is the cat? Under 8 yrs yes for rabies and others.
3. If going to vaccinate and indoor kitty, I would not recommend feluek vaccine.
4. Have one your cats tested for Feluek yearly.
5. Bringing in a new cat to household? Have kitty tested and keep away from the other cats, till clean bill of health.
6. If kitty is over 8 - 10 years talk to vet about vaccinating.
7. What does the law say in your county and state.
8. Yearly vet check is a yes, especially for the senior cats, outdoor kitties.

Can't think of any others now but will later I am sure!

Stella

[Craftlady]

Best advise is to talk with your vet about vacinnations.

Our vet is saying "indoors only" no feline vacinnations but that was before we got the news with Butterscotch having it. I'm assuming now that Skinny and Thumper will be given vaccines.


In state of KY rabies are every 3 yrs. The first time rabie shot is 1 yr than after that every 3 yrs. Probably other states are similar.

[HayleyRosie]

Hayley just got her yearly needle and Mandy is due for one in April.

[artemis]

As much as I hate doing it to them, I do vaccinate my 2 younger cats (even though they are indoor-only). I hate how they are so "blah" for a day or two after, but I figure that's better than getting really sick later with something preventable, KWIM?

However, I no longer vaccinate my 16+ year old (and haven't for the past 2 years). He's just too old to be subjected to the "blah" aftereffects of shots. Plus, my Rudy, who died in July 2001 at almost 18, was vaccinated shortly before he got sick the final time - and I swear the vaccinations had something to do with it.

Just my 0.02$

Diane

[Felicia's Mom]

My cats get a three year Rabies shot, and a three year Feline Distemper/Upper Respiratory shot. These are staggard so only one shot is given each year.
The years that no shots are due, they still go in for an exam.

[smokey the elder]

There's a vet in my area that offers a 3 year distemper shot, and 3 year rabies. So you can stagger the doses. I probably won't get Moby (10 years old) any shots except rabies from now on. If my vet disagrees, I'll switch vets.

[felinefanatic]

B e very careful when it comes to vaccinating you cat. Often times a vet will push vaccinations that are not neccasary, especially for a in door cat.
It is also a good idea to avoid the 3 in one type shots.Instead get one at a time, and give your cat some time in between shots to rebuild his immunity.
Do not vaccinate your cat if he is sick or particularly stressed,wait until he is better (unless you vet has a very good reason not to wait) Also be very careful about vaccinating older cats.
Vaccinations can and do save the lives of cats, but when used improperly chronic health problems and even death can result!

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

Great advice from everyone - it has certainly given me lots to think about. (Ally is due for her jab in April).

[lisalee]

Sash is Felv positive an hasn't been vaccinated in years for anything. I believe it's in his best interest to not be. I don't want to stress his immune system any further, and also believe vaccines do more harm than good. I have an understanding with my vet about this.


Lisa & Sash
http://pages.ivillage.com/lisalee992 (Sash's website)

[Kirsten]

Well, there are already a lot of good thoughts posted here.

Toby and Lily are indoors, aren't they? Like Luna and Lily. I think I will have mine being annually vaccinated against the kind of diseases that you can bring with you from outside, on your clothes and shoes, such as respiratory viral diseases and panleukopenia.

Cats can only be infected with FeLV and rabies when there is a direct contact to an ill cat, so I think it's not necessary to vaccine against these diseases when a cat lives only indoors, at least not every year, especially since these vaccines are suspected to cause fibrosarcoma.

Luna has been vaccinated annually against FeLV so far, and she had developed a lump between her shoulders after her last shot which has been surgically removed last year. I agreed with my vet that the FeLV-shot has been necessary last year since I was going to adopt a new kitten (Lily). Well, Lily has been tested negative for FeLV meanwhile (and got her shot), so I will discuss with my vet wether further shots are necessary for Luna or not.

Lisa, I'm sorry to hear your Sash is FeLV-positive, and I think your vet made the right decision not to vaccine her anymore. Her immune system might have problems to deal with the vaccine and the result could be a break out of her disease.

Kirsten