Shots for indoor cat

So, why does a strictly indoor cat who isn't around other cats have to have these booster "shots" every year?

I really think these have made my kitty sick and that's why she isn't eating.

Any thoughts out there?

I've read that cats should have their kitten series shots, ending at or after 16 weeks, then a booster shot in 1 yr.  Then, no more than 1 booster shot every three years.

I think this is overkill... and any vet recommending a booster every year should be questioned as to why your cat needs this, IMO.

Toby has had his kitten vaccines, then I plan to do the 1 yr booster -- and that's it.

I'll keep up with the rabies (initial, 1 yr, then every 3 years) only because it's legally required where I am and bats in the house are common and rabies is no laughing matter.

When choosing vaccines, opt for non-adjuvanted (MLV or recombinant -- NOT killed or adjuvanted).  I had to pay my vet office a little extra for it, but I think it was worth it.. (they were very informative and unbiased on the subject, pointing out that there has not been any conclusive evidence to suggest non-adjuvanted vaccines are safer than adjuvanted, but they were very accommodating to my requests and seemed impressed that I had done some research on the subject)...

Diseases can be brought in through your shoes, don't get every vaccine out there and make sure to talk to your vet about what your kitty's specific needs are..My vet has told me that there are brands of vaccines out there for rabies that are not good, and i trust my vet, he was on the local news talking about over vaccination and how it can be bad for your cat..

I agree that the advice of giving vaccines every year is overkill and it is probably bad for their heath. I really like the discussion on catinfo.org on vaccines (http://catinfo.org/?link=vaccines#Vaccines). I did the kitten series and rabies for my kitten. I am kind of kicking myself because I did allow an adjuvanted rabies vaccine because a vet I no longer trust told me it was much better to do this one because it legally lasts three years. Where I it is the law to vaccinate and if I do a non-adjuvanted rabies vaccine then I will have to do it every year. Since she also had the adjuvanted rabies shot I wonder if the non-adjuvanted booster would be ok? 

Neither of my cats go outside and we are overly paranoid about keeping them in, so I do wonder if they are necessary. On the other hand in the city I live in we are inundated with racoons (there are currently more racoon than people where I live) so it would be a risk if they ever got out.

I am refusing to give my 16 year old dog anymore vaccines because I fear they will kill her. I am going to find a vet to give her a clearance letter next time she needs one. 

The frequency of boosters depends on local laws.  In our state, currently,  rabies and distemper boosters are required every three years.  (When our first cat was alive, they had to have their boosters every year.) 

With rabies boosters, if mandatory by local laws, it's helpful to get the adjuvant-free boosters. 

Distemper boosters may need to be discussed with one's vet.  Here is the reason why

http://www.holisticat.com/vaccinations.html

Skipping mandatory rabies boosters can become a life-threatening situation based on local laws if the cat bites or scratches someone who comes to the house. (Or even the owners and the damage requires a doctor's visit.) When that happens,  some places only require a quarantine for the cat.  Others make no allowance and the cat is euthanized immediately, no questions asked. 

Also, a potentially life-threatening  situation can arise if, God forbid, a bat gets inside the house and it turns out it was rabid. Or, if the cat runs out, is lost for days or even longer,  has an encounter with some kind of wild life and has a wound of unknown origin when it is found..... 

Distemper boosters are important for the protection of the cat  in case the owner ever decides to bring in another cat. 

Skipping boosters should always be discussed with one's vet and the reasons should be documented in the cat's health file. 

Anyone who wants to skip boosters, please, do a very thorough inquiry about your local laws with the proper authorities (health department, animal control,  etc)  to make sure your cat will be safe if you skip the rabies boosters and discuss skipping distemper boosters with your vet.

Strictly indoor cats never, ever need to be vaccinated against FeLV

However, one should never, ever bring in another cat without making very, very sure that the new cat is not FeLV positive. 

Unfortunately, the local laws are often influenced by industries looking for a hard coded way to make money.  Rarely based on true science at all.  ...

My vet knows my (strong) feelings on the matter, and has very quietly looked the other way when I ignore the re-vaccination notifications.  All my animals got their initial "childhood" shots.  That's enough, in my book.

I have 26 inside only cats adn 2 outside cats.  The outsiders get rabies kept up to date.  I have many cats who have had no shots in their entire life.  I stopped years ago.  I had a few with reactions and just did not see the point.  Look what is in these shots.