Am I a bad mother?

My cat's annual check-up/vaccination appointment is fast approaching and I'm seriously thinking about not taking her. Chloe's an indoor cat, six years old and other than being a little chubby (which we're working on) she's in excellent health. She's also the most anti-social cat on the planet. She tolerates my friends but keeps a careful distance and swats at them if they get too close. Heaven forbid anyone tries to pet her because then the claws come out. She is absolutely terrified of strangers and goes into a blind panic when a plumber or delivery person comes into the house.

Trips to the vet are pure torture for her even though everyone who works there is very kind and patient with her. It takes 3 people to hold her down for her shots. She literally screams and fights until she's exhausted and she's a nervous wreck for hours ... sometimes days ... afterward. I want to keep her up to date on her shots but I'm not sure it's worth the drama and stress.

So, back to my originial question: am I a bad mommy if I decide to skip the vaccinations from now on and only take Chloe to the vet is she's sick?

IMHO I would suggest you research vaccinations... Check local laws as you do not want to be in violation if something were to happen( some states a simple scratch or love bite can be cause to quarentine or PTS an animal)... At my house I follow the protocal my vet does : kitten series then booster a yr later... Rabies on a per cat basis after that ...

After discussing my cats with my vet, they don't get the standard annual vaccinations. Given the tremendous stress your poor kitty goes through in a vet visit, I'd be even less inclined to bring her in.

And you are absolutely NOT a bad mother!!!!!

While I don't agree with yearly vaccines, I do think a yearly checkup is needed especially as cats age.

Perhaps you could find a mobile vet who does home visits to make it less stressful on kitty, or if you do need to go into an office spray her carrier with Feliway, use Rescue Remedy for several days before and after to help calm her down.

you're not a bad mother!!

I think vaccines are mostly just a make-money-gimmick.

After all.. don't humans only get them like, once every 10 years? I don't remember the last time I got any vaccines.

They're sooo expensive for pets.. the only vaccines I would be interested in getting are the leukemia/hiv vaccines for my cat.

My oldest cat is 14 years old.. I get her vaccines every 5 years or so.

Our cats honestly haven't been vaccinated in years.. the only time it happens is if we take them to the vet for other reasons, and the vet sees that they aren't up to date on them. They're all indoor cats, and there's nothing they'd be exposed to, so we don't see the reason.

I think you should talk to your vet and express your concerns. It is very important that your cat be checked out annually and have the appropriate bloodwork, but you and your vet need to be in agreement regarding the vaccinations.

Personally, my vet and I have discussed each of my kitties and we do different things for each one, even though they are all inside only kitties. The biggest thing is for my Hannah, who is FHV positive. She gets NO shots, even the state required rabies shot unless there is a rabies outbreak. For Callie, my oldest who's got CRF, she got a 3-yr rabies last year and only the Feline Distemper shot this year. Tumbles is in the process of getting his kitten vacs and will get the rabies shot this year. When it's time for his annual check up next year, we'll discuss what shots to give.

Thanks everyone ... I'm feeling much less like a bad mother!

I'm pretty sure rabies vaccinations are mandatory in my state. But unless she bites someone, I really don't think the police are going to show up on my door step and drag me off in handcuffs for skipping it.

I'd be more inclined to continue taking Chloe to the vet if she was getting a proper check-up but she's not. The doctor tries, bless him, but she just fights so hard it's practically impossible. And there's no way they could draw blood so that hasn't been done since she was a tiny kitten. Basically, a couple of the vet techs (wearing protective gloves and face shields) flip the top off the crate and pin her to the bottom. Then the vet grabs her (gently) by the scruff of the neck, gives the shots and tries to do whatever exam he can with one free hand. Once he's done they do this very fast, very well co-ordinated manuever of letting go of her while simultaneously flipping the lid back on the crate and running for their lives. You'd think there was a bengal tiger in that box instead of a 14 pound house cat! It would be sort of hilarious to watch if poor Chloe weren't insane with fear.

For those of you who use Feliway or Rescue Remedy, what kind of success have you had? I've thought about trying it but Chloe is sooooo fearful I can't imagine it making much difference.

I'd talk with the vet - see if they can work out a home visit or have other suggestions. I'd seriously talk to the vet about the rabies shot, though - if she bites someone, you'd be in trouble, and Chloe would be in a very bad situation. And, I'm in suburban Chicago - rabid bats have been found in homes in the nicest suburbs. Myself, not ready to take that chance at all.

And, I go outside and bring things in, on my shoes, on my clothes, etc. - that's why I talk to my vet about which shots are worthwhile

You're not a bad mother - but, truly, I'd set up a separate appointment to discuss the issue with the vet and get their take on the situation.

BTW, re adult humans and vaccinations - talk to an internist about how many adults are far out of date on their vaccinations. It's very interesting,and scary - but lots of humans aren't exactly pro active about their own health.

We have rabies vaccines laws here, but I would discuss it with your vet like other posters have suggested. My new vet has a mobile option for such cases, like cats who just cannot go to the vet. It's also a great option for the vet, since they don't have to deal with a cat that is very upset and may hurt them in the process. I didn't get Boo vaccinated for awhile, but then was forced to to have him seen by a vet... so if you don't have proof of it they may refuse to see your kitty...

I do agree with the yearly check ups. That's where you find the things before they become worse.

And NO you are not a bad mother!

Also talk to your vet regarding giving a sedative to your cat before taking her in. It's possible that might work for you.

Ask your vet about a home visit... or house call ... I have this done for one of mine as a carrier is not an option

I would't want to skip the rabies if it is required in your state. I agree that you should explore some options before deciding against everything. Talk to your vet.

I have to take my very skittish cat to the vet Tuesday for his rabies. All my cats are indoors, but they all get the rabies shots and distemper. But he has to have a sedative. I don't like it, but it is necessary for a good exam.

My 2 daughters have had a bat get in each home. Luckily, they tested negative for rabies. If that happens, and the bat is positive, well it can get nasty for your kitty. I don't want to go through possility of loosing one of my best buds.

And I have to add that just two days ago, a raccoon was in the road in front of our house falling down and rolling. Three weeks ago, I found a baby coon dead in our gully...no marks or visible injuries. My husband, bless his heart, had to put the coon out of her misery. Yes, she may have been hit, but these signs are classic rabies signs.

Very unnerving. It is not worth the health risk to your animals. Yes your cats may be indoors, but God forbid they get out by mistake or something finds its way into your home. I don't want any regrets. Rabies shots are not negotiable...they are absolutely necessary.

see, I am the dissenting voice here on this thread..I do not take my cats in to the vet unless they are sick (so far)..I am absolutely against vaccinations unless necessary. It has not been necessary for 2 of my indoor only kitties since I've adopted them 10 years ago. They are healthy as is. They do not go outside. never. They are fine as is. They do not get rabies vaccinations or other strains of virus they will never encounter. Why put their bodies through this?? for why, with indoor only kitties? I can see if one has an indoor/outdoor cat, encountering other animals, but no way with indoor only babies..the research I've seen with vaccinations on cats/dogs with the bad side effects scares the crap out of me..no thanks, do a search on google for side effects of veterinary vaccinations, it is a cash cow for vets for sure in my mind...not for my babies, no way unless absolutely needed (but yes for booster shots with kittens/young cats)

I have had cats for over 30 years, my kids have cats. My mom and her friends had cats. Never, ever has anyone had a problem with getting their shots.

My cats lives are worth everything to me. I will not give the FLV shot. Distemper can be spread by fleas and other insects. Also on clothing. It can live in a cats bedding for a year. So that is also one that I have them get.

I have learned to "never say never". A loose window screen, a neighbor who stands at the door talking with the door just a bit open, an accident while transporting your pet. The list goes on and on.

The benefits of vaccinations for rabies and distemper IMO totally outweigh the risks.

I never want to say "if only..."

Attitude and Nuts will get whatever the vet says they need this year since their last vaccines were their kitten shots so I'm not sure what they need. They also have FeLV so I'm not risking their already weakened immune systems from anything the vet thinks they need to have vaccines for. Most likely rabies and distemper. I don't think they need anything else. I obviously don't do the FeLV vaccine(unless the cat is high risk, outside/inside, outside only, or living with an infected cat, no way would I give it to them, and this is coming from someone with 8 positive cats in total, 6 of them outside 2 inside, so I know a little bit about FeLV positive cats. Brutal disease but no risk of infection, skip the shot.) I also see no reason for the FIV shot, that's all mine need, to get out be picked up and show the double whammy of FeLV and FIV. The FIV shot makes a cat show positive for the rest of their lives, really not worth it. It isn't worth it when shelters and rescues mostly euthanize cats that come up FIV positive, even if it is because of the vaccine. I wouldn't even recommend the FIV vaccine for a cat living with a positive cat and I think most others feel the exact same way. The FIV shot just isn't worth it for any reason. If they had a HIV vaccine would you get it if it made you shows up as HIV positive for life? I know I sure as heck wouldn't. FIV and HIV are essentially the same virus just different strains.

Taryn

My cats are indoor only as well, and it was my vet who said they don't need their injections as long as they remain indoors.

They still go for a yearly checkup though

Originally Posted by farleyv

I have had cats for over 30 years, my kids have cats. My mom and her friends had cats. Never, ever has anyone had a problem with getting their shots.

My cats lives are worth everything to me. I will not give the FLV shot. Distemper can be spread by fleas and other insects. Also on clothing. It can live in a cats bedding for a year. So that is also one that I have them get.

I have learned to "never say never". A loose window screen, a neighbor who stands at the door talking with the door just a bit open, an accident while transporting your pet. The list goes on and on.

The benefits of vaccinations for rabies and distemper IMO totally outweigh the risks.

I never want to say "if only..."

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Rabies is EVERYWHERE in the USA. All it takes is once.

A bat gets in.

A cat gets frightened and goes the wrong way and is out the door before you know it.

Your cat has en emergency...she's choking say, or won't eat or ate poison or ingested a string and you need to take her to the ER vet. They want to know if her vaccinations are up to date and will not see her if they are not.

A cat gets frightened and bites your friend and your friend has to go to the ER. At the ER they require a report. They find out your cat is not vaccinated. Cat is either quarantined (at your expense and serious stress to her) or destroyed. And so on and so on.

These things happen. It's just not worth the risk, in my opinion.

I have a friend who lives in a small town in a southern state. A fox attacked a neighbor. The fox was rabid. There are four other foxes still at large. Yesterday a rabid kitten was found on the street attacking the wheel of a car.

Rabies is everywhere and people who will not vaccinate against it just exacerbate the problem.

My cats go to the vet every six months for well checks, and when they are sick. They get the purevax rabies vaccine annually and the distemper boosters, then distemper every three years until they are about 10.

to the OP: Do find a vet that does home visits. Call and ask your vet. Your kitty should have a check up at least once a year, and she needs that rabies vaccine for her own protection.