To Vaccinate Or Not To Vaccinate

[moosmom]

My cats are strictly indoors (except for MooShoo who goes for rides in the car with me or for walks in the park). I only get them vaccinated every 3 years. I don't believe in over vaccinating.

[jazzcat]

I was just discussing this with my vet last week when I took Scout in because she gets so sore and sick after vaccinations. She told me that even though they still recommend the FVRCP shot every year many new studies show that one shot will last for up to three years. She said she isn't telling me to only vaccinate them every three years (because yearly is what is still recommended) but that it was information for me to consider. Then she said she has 4 indoor only cats and she only gives them that shot every other year and will probably go to every three years now. You can bet that is what I'm going to start doing. I love this vet and she is the "cat" expert around here.

She did add that if her cats went outside or if they were exposed to other cats she would probably stick to the yearly vaccination.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Thanks everyone. I don't believe in over vaccinating animals either. I called my vets this morning and found out that they use the Phizer (sp) brand for both the rabies and FVRCP and it contains the live virus too. I may skip Sky's shot next year and see how he does. I will still have him checked out though because I also believe that annual check ups are still needed. I may also start only having my cats vaccincated every 3 years.

[kitten645]

You might consider that no matter how good the vet may be, they DO make their living selling medications and vacinations. My two boys are indoor only and last time I took them for their shots, they were lethargic and didn't look too good for a while. Calvin had a bad reaction and it was clear his paws were itching him. He literally ran around the house shaking all four paws for hours. I called the vet and he told me to wait a while and see if it passed. When he started panting I took him back. They kept him overnight and medicated him again to stop the reaction. It broke my heart not to mention cost me a bundle! So I'm seriously considering skipping the shots this year. Something to think about.

[K & L]

I believe in vaccines. Since we deal with ferals I've seen the difference in the ones that have received them vs. the ones that haven't. The vaccines seem to help them survive much better. If they're strictly indoors than that's a different issue. My only argument there is, ours are indoors with the access of some outdoor life in the cat run. This gives them the chance that other outside cats could bring something to them, so we vaccinate. If yours are exposed to open doors/windows and other cats come along, than I would vaccinate. This is just my opinion for whatever that's worth. It's like vaccinating children against diseases. I feel, especially in the early years, they're necessary.