Took the first two of six cats that need their annual wellness exams and shots.
When I took Archie in to see the vet more than 6 mos ago, she told me he had stage one periodontal disease - lots of brown plaque on his back teeth, etc. She wanted to do a dental and then put him on antibiotics, etc. I was not keen on that and started him on a dental regimen ... all the cats as a matter of fact.
The regimen included PlaqueOff, enzyme toothpaste, occasional dental CET dental treats and a little later - Biotene oral antiseptic and maintenance gel, and I recently added Biotene Water Additive.
When she checked his teeth she couldn't believe how good they looked. Wow - is what she said, I think. She was very pleased. She also noticed he is looking and acting better - lost a little weight and seems happier.
Now .... for the questions. We talked at length about vaccine protocols. My boys are indoor only, range in age from 2-4 .... I am not planning to add anymore cats and don't really have room for a foster right now... If I can place Casper - then maybe.
To make a long story short -- I opted for a one-year rabies vax for the boys -- which the vet says doesn't have the component that could possibly be linked to vaccination site sarcoma. That's good. But I opted NOT to give them distemper combo boosters. She is a microbiologist by training, prior to vet school and has a lot of animal/public health experience. We talked about immunity build up and how that works, what is or is not zoonotic, circumstances under which the boys could catch something, etc.
Now I am second-guessing myself about the distemper stuff. Any input on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, guys.
ETA: She also told me Tex has a stage 1 heart murmur, but nothing to be alarmed about.
When I took Archie in to see the vet more than 6 mos ago, she told me he had stage one periodontal disease - lots of brown plaque on his back teeth, etc. She wanted to do a dental and then put him on antibiotics, etc. I was not keen on that and started him on a dental regimen ... all the cats as a matter of fact.
The regimen included PlaqueOff, enzyme toothpaste, occasional dental CET dental treats and a little later - Biotene oral antiseptic and maintenance gel, and I recently added Biotene Water Additive.
When she checked his teeth she couldn't believe how good they looked. Wow - is what she said, I think. She was very pleased. She also noticed he is looking and acting better - lost a little weight and seems happier.
Now .... for the questions. We talked at length about vaccine protocols. My boys are indoor only, range in age from 2-4 .... I am not planning to add anymore cats and don't really have room for a foster right now... If I can place Casper - then maybe.
To make a long story short -- I opted for a one-year rabies vax for the boys -- which the vet says doesn't have the component that could possibly be linked to vaccination site sarcoma. That's good. But I opted NOT to give them distemper combo boosters. She is a microbiologist by training, prior to vet school and has a lot of animal/public health experience. We talked about immunity build up and how that works, what is or is not zoonotic, circumstances under which the boys could catch something, etc.
Now I am second-guessing myself about the distemper stuff. Any input on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, guys.
ETA: She also told me Tex has a stage 1 heart murmur, but nothing to be alarmed about.
