Do indoor cats really need....

slave2_ragdolls

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Do indoor cats really need shots? I have 3 cats that never go outside...or even try to for that matter. What kinda deseases can a cat get if they are never exposed to the real world outside of harm and desease? I have 2 "purebred" Ragdolls. I have read two books on these cats...and both stated to use only "killed live virus vaccinations only". I just read a scary article at a holistic vet site that was titled "Are shots helpful or harmful to your pet" from a 30 year vet. The article stated that they did more harm to animals than good. They only recommend giving a rabies shot only if required by law in your state or country. I need some opinions from cat lovers here. What shots do you give your animals....and do they need them if indoor only?
 

nora

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I had a talk with Max's vet about this. We decided that he would only have shots for those diseases that travel through the air and for rabies. How he explained the rabies is in the case of if Max ever bit someone who was in my house, I could prove that he had been treated for rabies.
 

hell603

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I don't know what your state requires but in NJ rabbies is a must.
Loki who is indoor only, has no exposure to other animals and only leaves home when a vet visit is in order also get a distemper shot since this is something I can carry into the house on the bottom of shoe. But my vet believes that once the distemper vaccine has been established in the cats system a booster shot every 3 yrs. just like Rabbies is appropriate for my boys scenario.


Hope this helps you sort things.


Helen
 

princess purr

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I get them there kitten shots and one year boosters but neo has a bad reaction to shots so him and moe don't get them anyone. I'm not sure what i'm going to do with the other cats. I don't like getting them things they don't NEED, but I think kitten shots are important.
 

salemsmith

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I would have to say get them their inital shots and de-worming when their kittens, and then leave them to their own devices.


If (and that's a big if) they go outside immeadly get them boosters and get them de wormed and de-fleaded too.

Just precautions.

~ Salem
 

hell603

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Salem:

That theory is all fine and good - but are you aware that vaccinations like distemper take a minimum of 2 weeks to kick in?????
 

natskys

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After my 3 year old cat died 5 years ago of liver faliure, we stopped giving our indoor cats shots..It was a possibility, accoarding to the vet, that the shots were to much for him. So we stopped right then and there. A few weeks ago we introduced a new kitten to the house..she was mainly isolated, but we soon found out that she had distemper (if you have followed my thread here..she recovered, thankfuly!!!) But now we need to worry about our other cats developing this disease..we are nearing the end of the incubation period...and I'm deathly worried about them getting sick, so far so good tho..!..to make a long story short..if that's possible..If I had kept up their shots..we wouldn't be worrying,..so I guess it's a catch 22..You need to weigh your options..I will not vaccinate them every year...apparently every 3 years is plenty..but mine will be getting their shots now ASAP..!

Hope that helps!
Natalie
 

jmvito

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In my opinion, indoor cats should be vaccinated for everything. There are some diseases that we can bring into our homes via our shoes and clothes. Also, you never know when an indoor kitty might take advantage of an opportunity to scurry out the door. Another consideration about vaccinating indoor cats, you never know when a stray ends up in your home; best to have the residents protected from that possibility as well.
 

momofmany

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I live in the Kansas City area, and had a tornado go through our neighborhood in May. While our house was not seriously damaged, our neighbor's front window blew out. This happened at night, and they had to leave their house for a while to get the wood to board it up. While they were away, their very scared cat crawled out the window and into the big world. They found her 3 days later.

You might never purposely let your cats out, but could you ever have an emergency (fire, tornado, hurricane, etc) where they could be exposed to the great outdoors?

It's all in the odds.....emergency happening versus possible reaction to vaccintations......

Hope this brings a different perspective!
 

acatsmeow

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Two of my cats get their yearly shot but my Toby didn't get his vaccination, for one he is too heavy to bring over. Plus it is in the winter, if it was in the summer that would be different. They said every cat needs their rabie shot even if they are indoor cats because we could bring diseases to are cats and they would be expose. My cats get the rabies and booster shot every year. The booster helps to maintain their immune system and they can fight off disease quickly and prevent them.
 

noahsmommy

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With all this stuff I'm going through with my Micah, let me suggest something to you. Vaccinations are good, and necessary if there's any way they can get anything. BUT, your vet can do a simple blood test (titer test) to prevent over-vaccination which leads to things like Inflammatory Bowel Disease, gum disease, etc...basically, anything inflammatory.

Over-vaccination (just the standard, once a year vaccines) is the cause of all of poor Micah's problems.

Please ask for the titer test if you are going to vaccinate your indoor cats, its worth it.
 

jugen

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I give my cats vaccinations everything I get a reiminder from the vet? Maybe I shouldn't? I haven't had any problems with them and they are 3 and 4 years old. I have lost of friends with cats and I tend to worry about any type of illnesses that they may have so I make sure they are all up to date on their shots.
 

hissy

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most vets now will only vaccinate against what your cats will be exposed to. Indoor kitties get less vaccinations than outdoor kitties do.
 

sicycat

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I think with Zoey I would definately get the rabies.. since she likes to bite
but as far as the distemper and leukemia.. I dunno, I dont really think she needs it. She never goes out and never comes in contact with other cats. And are they supposed to vaccinate just every three years? I thought so but vet said Zoey to come back in a year for shots so I'm
I know she had her shots before she left the shelter.
 
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