Annual Vet visit

xcourtney3

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My cats are 2.5 yrs old and are coming up on their annual vet appointment. The vet wants to vaccinate against rabies, distemper, leukemia. They are inside only kitties who have had their kitten series and first year boosters. I know they need rabies, but are the other two necessary? Also, what procedures, if any should I expect to be done this time around for their age? They currently have no apparent health issues, no unusual behavior, and Simba is in remission (1.5 years) from a FLUTD episode.
 

denice

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Most states have laws about the rabies vaccination so the vet is required to give that one unless there is a medical reason for a particular cat not to be vaccinated. I see no reason for an indoor cat to be vaccinated for feline leukemia because it can only be passed by contact with fluids from an infected cat. My vet vaccinates for distemper which also includes I think two other diseases every three years. Some people don't have their cats vaccinated again after their 1 year booster but current guidelines are every three years. Feline distemper is related to the canine parvo virus and can live in soil for an extended period of time.  It can be brought in the house that way. Kittens are the most susceptable to it.
 

txcatmom

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Indoor kitties most definitely do not need the leukemia vaccine unless you have unvetted stray cats in and out of your house.  In fact, that vaccine is one of the ones that is associated with injection site tumors so I'd only do it if absolutely necessary.

My vet usually pokes, prods, listens to heart, checks teeth and gums and fields any questions.  There may be more she does that I'm not aware of.  Mine are coming up on 2 yrs old so we are going to have to decide soon how often to vaccinate for rabies and the other standard one too.  We've just followed the vet's advice until now, but I don't want them over-vaccinated.  I'll need to do more research.
 

orientalslave

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As well as the general check, mine get weighed as well and it's recorded.  I also get a Milbemax administered for worms - mine are indoors but have the garden, and girl cat was playing with a dead mouse recently...

Any cats being shown in the UK have to be vaccinated against the three main things (panleucopaenia virus, feline herpesvirus, and feline calicivirus) 'in accordance with makers instructions', ditto any cats staying in a reputable cattery.  And, of course, if a totally unvaccinated indoor cat gets out (as occasionally happens) they are very vulnerable.
 

ldg

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Ask how much it costs to have a titre test done for rabies and distemper, since they had both as kittens. Those will indicate if you need to have the vaccinations done. The issue of vaccinations is rather controversial. My holistic vet is absolutely against any vaccinations of any kind (after initial rabies and distemper) without titre tests, and essentially feels if the cats are indoor-only and you don't rescue, they just aren't necessary. I discussed this with the other two vets with whom we work (at different vet practices), and basically, with all the information out there now, they don't disagree, let's put it that way. Rabies isn't required for cats in our county, so our cats get no vaccinations of any kind now.

Here's an interesting discussion of vaccinations: http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/why-vets-are-getting-away-with-murder/

Our annual check-ups include a physical and blood work. We make sure to ask the vet if the cats need a dental. :nod:
 
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