My vet told me not to get any vaccinations...

I looked around online to see if i could find a vet that wont push me to put vaccinations on my 1 year old indoor kitty, that she did not need. She got vaccinated at the shelter, and then at 3 months i took her for boosters, for all the vaccinations, as i was told it would be best to get them all, and since i was a new pet mom, i followed what they said.

i found out later that vaccinations are being given when not needed and on a yearly basis when thats not necessary. Anyway, I found one with good reviews, and i took her this morning. When i met with him, he said that her fecal was fine, she seemed healthy (though a little chunky as i mention on another thread ) shes not interacting with cats that are indoor/outdoor.

He suggested to just leave her be and not add any vaccinations. I love the idea of not being chemicals on her.  But i do fear her getting outdoors and getting sick. She doesnt seem to be interested in going outside, but i still worry.

Did i make a good choice my not vaccinating her? He said in miami vaccinations for cats are not regulated, but that if she bites someone (she never has) that her rabies shot will be looked up. is this bad? can i get in trouble for not giving her a yearly rabies shot? like i said, she already got the vaccinations in the first few months of her life.

This is my first cat baby, so please advice!

ps, i live in a house with 2 indoor/outdoor dogs if that makes any difference

Rabies vaccinations here are given every three years, not yearly. If you keep her strictly indoors, I would follow your vets advise. The only reason I vaccinate mine is because they do occasionally go outdoors.

The way I read your post is that she just had the kitten series and not the one year boosters.  Most of what I have read recommends the one year boosters and then no more vaccinations.  I am not a vet though so if thats the recommendation given to you by a vet he or she certainly knows more than I do.

Yes, i read that too, i told him her last shots were when she was 3 months old, he still said its unnecessary for her, since shes indoors only.
 

That is a very nice vet to give you that advice, most will try and push shots on you. Here in IL where a one year rabies is mandated, you have to beg and plead and tell them your cat is too sick, and even then some people will argue with you and force you to give unnecessary shots. And yes it is true that new research shows vaccines have a longer life than one year, and are much more like people-shots. 

Here is a shot schedule link, I have not reviewed this in detail but have no reason to think it is inaccurate. http://www.pet-dog-cat-supply-store.com/index.php?nic=kitten-vaccination-schedule 

I think you are absolutely doing the right thing to follow what your vet said and do not over-vaccinate.

If and when you do give the next vaccine, only get a one year vaccine and make sure the vet uses merial purevax brand. This brand is safer than others because it does not contain adjuvants which are serums to jump start the efficacy of the vaccine, and which can have idiosyncratic effects in cats. Also, know that Merial makes purevax for both Rabies and FVRCP shots so you should be able to get all the shots using Merial brand. 

Don't EVER get a three year vaccine because as of right now, every three year vaccine contains adjuvants, even Merial. 

Using Merial doesn't make your cat immune to side effects but doing shots without adjuvants is much safer for cats. 

BarbB said:

That is a very nice vet to give you that advice, most will try and push shots on you. Here in IL where a one year rabies is mandated, you have to beg and plead and tell them your cat is too sick, and even then some people will argue with you and force you to give unnecessary shots. And yes it is true that new research shows vaccines have a longer life than one year, and are much more like people-shots. 

Here is a shot schedule link, I have not reviewed this in detail but have no reason to think it is inaccurate. http://www.pet-dog-cat-supply-store.com/index.php?nic=kitten-vaccination-schedule 

I think you are absolutely doing the right thing to follow what your vet said and do not over-vaccinate.

If and when you do give the next vaccine, only get a one year vaccine and make sure the vet uses merial purevax brand. This brand is safer than others because it does not contain adjuvants which are serums to jump start the efficacy of the vaccine, and which can have idiosyncratic effects in cats. Also, know that Merial makes purevax for both Rabies and FVRCP shots so you should be able to get all the shots using Merial brand. 

Don't EVER get a three year vaccine because as of right now, every three year vaccine contains adjuvants, even Merial. 

Using Merial doesn't make your cat immune to side effects but doing shots without adjuvants is much safer for cats. 

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really great advice, thanks! im going to save the info you've given me for the next time her shots are due. i didnt realize the 3 year shot was bad, thats really sad i probably would have chosen to use that one so i wouldnt have to worry about shots for awhile.

im going to be extra careful with any shots that are recommended to me from now on. in the beginning before i knew about the effects of shots, i would listen to the vets and their assistants they were sure that all the available vaccinations were absolutely necessary.

thankfully, this seems to be a good vet that i have found.

thanks so much for the advice!

Can I have your vets number!!! :lol3: That would be a dream come true and I have to say that there are many, many vets now accepting the fact that after the one year old boosters, pets are immune for life. I only with townships would follow suit and not require rabies every year on cats/dogs. I do not vaccinate any of my pets anymore. I am certain that vaccinations are what caused my Wilbur's health to decline at age of 7. Honestly, if you really want to be assured, then you can re-vaccinate at age three. I will not do that for my young cats though. The last vaccines they received were their one year boosters. That's it for life if I can avoid it.

If you do let your cat outside and they do bite someone, then I would think you might have a problem. I also worry about trying to find a new cat sitter for my cats as we recently moved. I have to find a "holistic" cat sitter, one who understands about vaccines and is willing to watch my cats.

I totally agree with Barb. IF you have to give rabies... get the Purevax only. This article from Mercola is good. http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/07/04/pets-vaccine-dangers.aspx

We do get our furkids their rabies vaccines, although hesitantly, and only because I have to take them down to get their nails trimmed , and the groomers require they be current on rabies shots.  Otherwise, the don't get any other vaccines, not since their one year boosters. 

And I still worry about the rabies shots, but what are you going to do?  Our Vet said she has only seen 1 case of vaccination related sarcome in all her years in practice, so I just keep my fingers cross that she doesn't see another

I am very pro indoor cats tho you can take your Kitty out in a fated section
Today, there are just way too many dangers for cats outside. It depends on where you live but in general an indoor only Kitty has a MUCH MUCB longer lifespan. If she wants to stay in, there are many ways for her to exercise and have a wonderful life!

My vet is against vaccines unless they go outside, so l stopped them