Vaccinations: Annually or Not?

jenk

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My animals' previous vet said she now innoculates cats every three years because studies show that the preventative medication remains within the body for around that length of time (I know testing can be done to determine if a cat really needs another rabies/ whatever shot). My cats' current vet, whom I really like, gives shots annually; this bothers me because I've heard more talk about vets moving to the every-three-year timetable.

Do you think I should tell my vet that I don't feel comfortable with having my cats innoculated yearly? (I come from the school of thought that too much of a good thing isn't so good.) Or am I fretting too much?
 

sicycat

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You should tell the vet how you feel and see what he says. I am going to do the same with Zoey. I have only had her for a few months so she is not due for a checkup until next april, but I know she's had some shots before she left the shelter so I will ask my vet what she thinks. I dont think I would want to do it every year either.
 

mom of 10 cats

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I solve that problem by giving the shots to them myself. They go to the vet for the rabies (one-year) shot, I give the basic 3-in-1 shot to them every other year.

It's also way cheaper that way. Vaccinating 15 cats this year cost me $35.00, including overnight shipping for the vaccines. I can't imagine what it would have cost at the vets, not to mention all the fun I missed wrangling everyone into carriers and then into the car...
 

jenng

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I decided last year that I'm going to have Spike vaccinated every other year. I didn't know that the vaccinations last 3 years though... I thought that was only for the rabies booster. I'll have to discuss it with Spike's new vet. If she tells me the vaccines they administer last for 3 years, I'll only be doing it that often. Over-vaccinating them worries me.
 

purrfectcatlove

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Ummmm Mom of 10 cats , how can you order them shots . I know a dumb question . I also don't belive on Rabies shots for my indoor cats .
 

princess purr

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neo gets very sick with shots so him and moe don't get them. I haven't decided what i'm going to do with the kittens. They are upto date with there baby shots, and I think I will take them for there first year shots but after that i'm not sure. I get my dogs shots every year.
 

tuxedokitties

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Please be extra-careful vaccinating your cats - whether at home or at the vet! Observe your cat carefully for several hours after vaccination for any unusual behavior or signs of illness - vomiting and/or diarrhea or difficulty breathing after a vaccination is an EMERGENCY and if your cat gets these symptoms after receiving a vaccine please take it to the vet immediately!

My cat almost died after getting his vaccinations last year - he's 9 years old and never had a problem previously. He went into anaphylactic shock, vomiting continuously. I had to take him to the emergency clinic - when I got there they told me they weren't sure they could save him! He was very ill, but pulled through (thank goodness!).

We still vaccinate him, carefully premedicating, breaking up the vaccines, and observing him after each vaccination, because in our case the disease risk is high.

However often you & your vet choose to vaccinate your pet, just please remember a reaction, although rare, may occur in a cat that has never had problems before. Please watch your cat carefully after vaccinating and report any problems to your vet right away!
 

kaiukats

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Studies have shown that antibodies from vaccines have stayed in a cats system as long as 7 years after the vaccine was given. Some cats even longer!

Cats immune systems are very unique, that is why so much research is still going on and no one can give you a straight answer.

What we do know is that yes we are over vaccinating our cats. They do not need shots every year, and yearly vaccination could do more harm than good. Every two to three years for FVRCP is sufficient. Every three years for Rabies and every other year for FELV.

If you cat is an indoor/outdoor cat you MUST vaccinate EVERY YEAR!!!! Even though the antibodies are still there from the previous vaccine your cat is outdoors and is at risk for everything you are vaccinating for.

In a perfect world there would be no stray cats, vaccine sarcomas, FELV, FVRCP, Rabies and all these diseases, but there are and we have to figure out the best way to protect out cats w/out hurting them at the same time.

Just remember, when vaccinating do it on the legs or shoulders. If your vet tries to give a vaccine on the shoulder or in the scruff you smack his hand away!!!!! Most vets are aware of the risks of vaccine sarcomas and routinely vaccinate in the shoulders and legs, but there are still those old stubborn vets who are set in their ways. Its your cat and you are the boss, not the vet!!!!


Got a bit off topic!!!
 
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jenk

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...When vaccinating do it on the legs or shoulders. If your vet tries to give a vaccine on the shoulder or in the scruff you smack his hand away!!!!! Most vets are aware of the risks of vaccine sarcomas and routinely vaccinate in the shoulders and legs, but there are still those old stubborn vets who are set in their ways. Its your cat and you are the boss, not the vet!!!!
KaiUKats,

Please read your first two sentences. You mention the shoulder twice, both as a negative and positive place to give shots. Please clarify if shots should/ should not be given in the shoulder.

Thank you,

Jenk
 

nighteyes

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I give my indoor cat a rabies shot. There is always the chance he might get out, and rabies is fatal.

I have Vet friends, I get different opinions on how often to give regular vaccines. My cats breeder believes once a year. At this point I am not sure. I have been speaking with Bengal breeders and they all seem to have a different idea on how often.
 

slave2_ragdolls

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I am against all vacinations right now. I just don't see a reason for doing it if they don't ever go outside. I do believe in a yearly exam though. Jenk....I know you have Ragdolls like myself. I have read two books and did quite a bit of research on the breed. Make sure that if you give them the 3 and 1 vaccine that it is a "killed virus" type. My breeder also told me the same. Good luck with you decision.
 

sicycat

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Originally posted by Slave2_Ragdolls
I am against all vacinations right now. I just don't see a reason for doing it if they don't ever go outside. I do believe in a yearly exam though.
I think I have to agree with this.
 

felicia's mom

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My vet recomended three year shots so that is what I give mine. One year it is a distempor(sp) shot. Another year it is the rabies shot.

My mother had kitten that died after having several shots at one time.
 

dragonlady

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For those of you who don't see any reason to give any shots because they never leave the house.

When you walk outside the house and then come home again you are tracking in many diseases.

If you cat were to bite someone who picked it up without your permission and you had no rabies record the cat could be destroyed to see if it had rabies.

If there were a fire, tornado, earthquake, or someone broke into your home, your cat could escape and die due to lack of imunizations.

It is always better to err on the side of caution. None of my cats leave the house, and yet I would rather have them get their shots than have them suffer and die decause I didn't.

You can't say what the future holds for your cat, but you can protect it to the best of your ability.
 

sicycat

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The vet said that these diseases are spread through cat to cat contact.
It was my understanding that your inside cat would have no means to get rabies unless it came in contact with another animal that had rabies.

I dunno, personally I will think about it and talk it over with my vet when I take Zoey in for her next check up.

I just hear these scary stories about cats getting sick after getting shots or developing a sarcoma .. is it worth risking that if your cat never goes outside?

I suppose there are pros and cons to everything.. I will definately keep an open mind as I want whats best for my cat!
 
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