Shots for Spica....I'm afraid to do it!

This is gonna sound so stupid. I've never gotten any of my cats shots. I've always been too scared. I've heard they can get sick and some can die. Spica is about 4 1/2 months old. I'm trying to do everything right with her to make up for the mistakes I've made with the other cats I've had. Even though I found homes for them all(except 4 I'm keeping and 2 I have to give away), I'm sure they would've been healthier if I'd known about shots and stuff when they were younger. Ok I'm rambling....point is..I'm taking Spica to get her first shots sometime this week and I'm scared to do it. I've put it off for several days even though my aunt took hers(M and F siblings of Spica) and they are OK. I dont want to hurt her. I know I need to do it...but I know that she's getting them later than she should.
What will they do to her?
Will she get sick?
Do I need to be home the day afterwards???
Will this mean she cant get any of the dangerous diseases that are out there?
Thanks.

don't worry, shot reactions in kitties are rare! both of mine have had all their shots and they are fine!!

the only time you have to watch them is for a couple hours after the shot, because if they'll have a reaction, that is when it will be. sorry, no excuse to miss work or school! sometimes kitties will be a little sleepy after their shots, but that is perfectly normal.

my kittens got the 4in 1 series which vaccinated against panleukopenia, rhinotrachetitis, calicivirus, and chlamydia... they've also had their rabies vaccines. for an outdoor kitty, that one is ESPECIALLY important. you can also get vaccines for FIP...and i think there are a few others.

i know it can be hard sometimes to do things which run a risk for hurting our cats, but they run a much higher risk not being vaccinated.

you should get her vaccinated but there is a chance she will get sick. most cats wont, but you wont know until you actually do it.

Amber had a vaccine reactor when she went in a few days ago. a reactor is different from a reaction. she was sleepy, sleeping in the same spot for twelve hours and nothing to eat or drink. I brought her in and she had a fever.

but when I got her at 6 months and had to take her for the same shots (rabies and distemper) she was fine. even WITH a spay!

i hope Spica does ok.

Originally posted by RaggieMom
the only time you have to watch them is for a couple hours after the shot, because if they'll have a reaction, that is when it will be.

my kittens got the 4in 1 series which vaccinated against panleukopenia, rhinotrachetitis, calicivirus, and chlamydia... they've also had their rabies vaccines. for an outdoor kitty, that one is ESPECIALLY important. you can also get vaccines for FIP...and i think there are a few others.

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Even with her being so much older?

Spica is inside and I am getting her shots because my other cats are outside. I wash and change clothes...basically try to be as sterile as possible. Will the vet only give her what he thinks she needs since she is inside or will she get them all?

Originally posted by rfox

Amber had a vaccine reactor when she went in a few days ago. a reactor is different from a reaction. she was sleepy, sleeping in the same spot for twelve hours and nothing to eat or drink. I brought her in and she had a fever.

but when I got her at 6 months and had to take her for the same shots (rabies and distemper) she was fine. even WITH a spay!

i hope Spica does ok.

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It's still wierd having a cat's name...lol Hi I'm Amber remember me?
Anyway...My aunts cat Scotty(Spica's Brother) already had a fever when he was brought it. He got sick and that combined with what I'd heard is to blame for my reluctance to get her her shots.

Spay...*sigh* another nessacary thing I'm dreading. My aunts cat's just got spayed 2 days ago....Poor Spica's behind! I'm such a bad mother!!

Thanks I do too!

she'll probably get a 3 in 1 or 4 in 1...even indoor only cats need them...as for rabies, it really depends on your states laws, but chances are, she should get it.

my cat Li had a similar reaction to his first shot which also had the rabies...he slept in the same spot for at least 10 hours and BARELY moved...no food, nothing...had me quite scared, but he was fine the next morning.... after that, he's had no problems.

Spica's not too terribly much older than most kittens are when they start to get their shots... they're normally done younger, because that's the time when kittens are weaned and they no longer have the antibodies in their mother's milk to protect them... she should be fine, no problems!!

another thing I forgot to mention, if Spica has interaction with your outside cats, you should get all the shots, but not necessarily all at the same time.

your not a bad mother! I would be reluctant too if it was to potentially hurt your baby. but it is for the best. Amber (hi!) was 6 months when she was spayed, and if I had had her since she was a kitten, I would have probably waited until she was 6 months exactly
to have her fixed. so you are ok, you are not waiting too long!

Originally posted by RaggieMom
she'll probably get a 3 in 1 or 4 in 1...even indoor only cats need them...as for rabies, it really depends on your states laws, but chances are, she should get it.

my cat Li had a similar reaction to his first shot which also had the rabies...he slept in the same spot for at least 10 hours and BARELY moved...no food, nothing...had me quite scared, but he was fine the next morning.... after that, he's had no problems.

Spica's not too terribly much older than most kittens are when they start to get their shots... they're normally done younger, because that's the time when kittens are weaned and they no longer have the antibodies in their mother's milk to protect them... she should be fine, no problems!!

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I have no clue about the rabies law. I guess the vet knows what to do with the amount of shots. All I can say is he better not hurt her more than he has to!!

If she does that, I'll call them or freak and rush her back over there.

I hope you're right.

Originally posted by rfox
another thing I forgot to mention, if Spica has interaction with your outside cats, you should get all the shots, but not necessarily all at the same time.

your not a bad mother! I would be reluctant too if it was to potentially hurt your baby. but it is for the best. Amber (hi!) was 6 months when she was spayed, and if I had had her since she was a kitten, I would have probably waited until she was 6 months exactly
to have her fixed. so you are ok, you are not waiting too long!

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I stay as sterile as possible. Wash hands with antibacterial soap and HOT water and change my clothes. Somehow missing something and bringing it in to her is why I wanted to go ahead and get them.

Thanks!! I hope SHE thinks it's for the best while she looks at me while they poke her!! I hate needles myself..I am so gonna be crying!
Well if Amber (yes HI!) made it OK then I guess Spica will...I just have only gotten one cat fixed and she was about a year old. I heard it was easier on a younger cat that's why I plan to soon.

only one of my cats gets sick with shots, and he was fine when he got his kitten shots. I always get nervous when i take them to get fixed but they are in good hands and it is what is best for them. I never really worry about shots.

Originally posted by Princess Purr
only one of my cats gets sick with shots, and he was fine when he got his kitten shots. I always get nervous when i take them to get fixed but they are in good hands and it is what is best for them. I never really worry about shots.

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Lyle says I worry too much..he's right. I know this is neccesary. I guess all I can do is just get it over with. I'm going to a different vet also. That worries me too. I just didnt like my old one because they wouldnt let me see Felix and say bye before the neuter. They just grabbed him and took him to the cage room! I was so mad. I asked if I could say bye(had to leave him overnight since I couldnt be there before they closed) and the guy just looked at me and walked away!Hopefully this vet is better. My aunts cats are all ok!

Your baby will be fine! Don't worry. All my kitties have had their shots. All of them. Reactions are rare. Who can blame you though, for being worried about your baby? You'll both be fine!

Originally posted by mzjazz2u
Your baby will be fine! Don't worry. All my kitties have had their shots. All of them. Reactions are rare. Who can blame you though, for being worried about your baby? You'll both be fine!

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Thanks Mzjazz2u! We'll see this week if you're all right.
I'll post a message to let you know how it went.

I'm counting on it!

Amber, I had my cat done at 12 weeks. It is being done younger now and they are finding it is better. At 6 months you run the risk of them already going into heat and having a litter. I have had cats and dogs go into heat at 4 months.

As with everyone else, I have had several getting shots and fixed and never had a problem. I know there is always a risk but it is much smaller than going without. What if your kitty got out somehow?

The most important thing is to get the vaccinations at a time when you can be home with your cat afterwards to watch her - if possible, set it up for a time when the vet will be in the office - maybe do it early on a Saturday morning, so if there's a reaction you can take her back & the vet will still be there.

Mild reactions like not feeling too good and sleepiness are common, but not serious. Serious life-threatening reactions like anaphylactic shock are very rare. The signs you want to watch for are severe vomiting and diarrhea, and/or difficulty breathing - if that happens, get her back to the vet QUICK! If you're really worried about a reaction, talk to your vet & he or she can tell you what to watch for. Serious reactions are very rare, so try not to worry too much - just take the precaution of watching her afterwards.

One of my cats did have a life-threatening reaction once, but the emergency vet was able to save him. We still get him vaccinated, but now he gets pre-medicated before each vaccine, the vaccines are spaced out at 2-week intervals, and he stays at the vet for observation afterward.

As for the spay, personally I'd say try to get it done before 6 months. Cats in heat will do ANYTHING to get out & breed. I lost a kitten that way once - she came in heat at 5 1/2 months and tore through a window screen to get outside, only to be promptly run over in the street.

Originally posted by Hermoine
Amber, I had my cat done at 12 weeks. It is being done younger now and they are finding it is better. At 6 months you run the risk of them already going into heat and having a litter. I have had cats and dogs go into heat at 4 months.

As with everyone else, I have had several getting shots and fixed and never had a problem. I know there is always a risk but it is much smaller than going without. What if your kitty got out somehow?

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If it's better then how come my aunts cat (male 4 1/2 weeks)had to be rushed back to the vet this morning because he was sitting in a ball shivering? The vets say it's easier, but Scotty may die! That's why I'm afraid to take Spica. I've gotten a male and female about a year old fixed before! What if it affects Spica this way? Plus she has no chance of getting outside. She stays in my room. After what happened today, I think I'll wait until she's older...I mainly need her to have her shots.
*sorry if any part of this sounds short...I have major back pain*

Originally posted by tuxedokitties
maybe do it early on a Saturday morning, so if there's a reaction you can take her back & the vet will still be there.

Mild reactions like not feeling too good and sleepiness are common, but not serious. Serious life-threatening reactions like anaphylactic shock are very rare.

As for the spay, personally I'd say try to get it done before 6 months. Cats in heat will do ANYTHING to get out & breed. I lost a kitten that way once - she came in heat at 5 1/2 months and tore through a window screen to get outside, only to be promptly run over in the street.

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I planned to do that incase something happened. Her sister was OK, but her brother got a fever and sick.

Ok good...looks like the majority say that it's only mild reactions.

She stays in my bedroom and doesnt have roam of the house. I do this for her protection because I dont live alone and have alot of family traffic. There's no chance of her escaping.
Sorry about your kitten... Dont quiet know what to say, but I'm sure it's something you dont wanna talk about. I've lost a couple and know how much it sucks.

The only time I've had a cat have a reaction to a shot was last year, when Tillie got her rabies shot. She is 10 yrs old and very frail, had bad teeth when we got her as well as gum infections, so she wasn't in the best state to get her shots. She vomited about a minute after the shot, and the vet gave her an injection of Benadryl to counteract the allergic reaction. She was fine, if not the happiest cat in the world. We won't be getting rabies shots for her anymore!

Originally posted by Mom of 10 Cats
She is 10 yrs old and very frail, had bad teeth when we got her as well as gum infections, so she wasn't in the best state to get her shots.

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So you're saying she only had a reaction due to her age and health?