I have one 15 year old cat who had a terrible reaction to his last rabies shot. I have 2 other elder cats, both "due" for vaccines. I am afraid to do it, one is 18, and doesn't eat well and has hypothyroid The other is around 11, and also has hypothyroid. The vets harass me each time I go in. The cats never go out, and no other critters come in. I know for a fact they don't need the vaccine, but is it actually unsafe when they are sick/elderly? It make me uncomfortable the vets insistence, and our state says all animals have to have rabies shots.
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Rabies vaccine for elderly indoor cats
- Thread starter sgurrola
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You have 2 hypothyroid cats? That's unusual, most are hyperthyroid I thought.
Frankly, and I understand each state has laws as to how they handle things and I am a big proponent of having people and animals correctly vaccinated, but I think I'd shop for a new vet. My last cat had a massive thymoma (took up half her chest cavity), diabetes, and later renal failure, and my vet understood perfectly why I did not want any more vaccinations for her immune-compromised little self . He went as far as to say I was one of the few clients he'd help defend if it ever came to it. Your situation sounds similar, so again I think I'd at least get a second opinion if not a new vet period.
Frankly, and I understand each state has laws as to how they handle things and I am a big proponent of having people and animals correctly vaccinated, but I think I'd shop for a new vet. My last cat had a massive thymoma (took up half her chest cavity), diabetes, and later renal failure, and my vet understood perfectly why I did not want any more vaccinations for her immune-compromised little self . He went as far as to say I was one of the few clients he'd help defend if it ever came to it. Your situation sounds similar, so again I think I'd at least get a second opinion if not a new vet period.
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Hello,
I would find a new vet, if you can. From my understanding(and I haven't had to do this but have discussed it with vets), you can do a rabies titer test. I don't think it's accepted in states where rabies vacs are required but I THINK your vet can write an exemption for your cats. Obviously, this vet won't. There's no reason that an elderly cat should have a rabies vaccine, imo, and I share your fears. I have also had a cat who had an awful reaction to a rabies vaccination. I regret putting him through that and... never again. I've been fortunate enough to have vets in both of the states I've lived in recent years who were perfectly fine with me saying "no" to vaccinations. I hope you can find one as well! Good luck.
I would find a new vet, if you can. From my understanding(and I haven't had to do this but have discussed it with vets), you can do a rabies titer test. I don't think it's accepted in states where rabies vacs are required but I THINK your vet can write an exemption for your cats. Obviously, this vet won't. There's no reason that an elderly cat should have a rabies vaccine, imo, and I share your fears. I have also had a cat who had an awful reaction to a rabies vaccination. I regret putting him through that and... never again. I've been fortunate enough to have vets in both of the states I've lived in recent years who were perfectly fine with me saying "no" to vaccinations. I hope you can find one as well! Good luck.
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Thanks for the imput. And my cats ARE hyperthyroid, oops. Its my daughter that is hypo. See how they are all family? I would love a new vet, but there is only one other in our area, and they have also been obnoxious concerning rabies vaccines. The cats really get upset in the car, or I would take them to another state. I just don't think indoor cats with ongoing health problems should have to have this done. I don't feel like it's safe after the response my one cat had.
I've lived in a really small town (county of 10,000 people), and my only choice was to take them out of the county since we didn't even have a vet in that county. One of my cats wasn't too bad, but the other one was scared while traveling. I would have a friend take me, and I put the carrier in my lap and stuck my fingers in and talked to her. It seemed to help.
What do they do when traveling? Maybe someone can help you.
What do they do when traveling? Maybe someone can help you.
*I* have decided that my eldest cat (now 16) will not receive anymore vaccines.
He had a major health scare almost 3 yrs ago (I have since learned that he has major food intolerances and IBD....all controlled by diet.)
He went 2 1/2 yrs without being vaccinated because I didn't feel he could tolerate it. When it came time for his annuals this year, I decided to just give him the Rabies vaccine. This caused him to have a significant IBD flare-up that took about 5 wks to get back under control. After that, I said...no more.
Aside from severe arthritis, IBD (and the fact he needs his teeth cleaned...) Lucky is healthy, but, my vets support my decision as they know it has been well thought through and I am aware of any risks.
He had a major health scare almost 3 yrs ago (I have since learned that he has major food intolerances and IBD....all controlled by diet.)
He went 2 1/2 yrs without being vaccinated because I didn't feel he could tolerate it. When it came time for his annuals this year, I decided to just give him the Rabies vaccine. This caused him to have a significant IBD flare-up that took about 5 wks to get back under control. After that, I said...no more.
Aside from severe arthritis, IBD (and the fact he needs his teeth cleaned...) Lucky is healthy, but, my vets support my decision as they know it has been well thought through and I am aware of any risks.
I will not give my indoor cats to get the rabies vaccines. They did have one, and the distemper, but no more after that. They never go outside, nor even attempt to run out. I have had two friends cats who developed cancer from it. The vets tell you there is a new vaccine that doesn't cause cancer. It's new, so do they know for sure yet? I know some states won't allow them in the vets office without proof, but depending on the state, you can sign a waiver stating you don't want the vaccine. I know Connecticut you can, Florida doesn't allow this, but I found a vet who will. Good luck!
Do you mind if I ask what state you are in? Just curious. I live in CT and all I do is tell the vet its an indoor cat and they dont bug me about it.
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- #9
I'm with you all the way on this. After having dogs and cats dying from cancer I decided to not get any vaccine shots anymore. But just lately I had to take m y cat to the vet for a UTI and they made me give my cat a rabies shot. I really wasn't happy about this but I did it. After I came home I was on the internet one day and found an article that makes complete sense. As much as I still don't like vaccines but if necessary I will do this if I absolutely have no choice. I can't bring the article up but anyone that is reading this look up this. (Giving vaccines in the tail of a cat.) I was shocked to read this and I had wished I would of found this years ago for my animals. This makes complete sense. And I can't see why this wouldn't work on dogs too. I am going to get this article and give it to my vet or whatever vet I will be using. Lets try to get all vets to do this so we can save out animals.
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Only cats I do it on are the 100% outside and my one guy who is a darter and he is 11. I HATE the thought of vaccines especially as they age but those are the only cats I see it being a benefit too. Rest of my cats do not have shots at all. The vets I have used are ok with indoor cat skipping it but do go over the risks.
One place was not ok and tried for 10 minutes. I stopped using them because of that. I except that if something should happen it will be on me and make my life hard but I think that is a small chance considering. I know of no vet that would vaccinate a sick cat-that struck me as odd it was done WHILE it had the UTI?
One place was not ok and tried for 10 minutes. I stopped using them because of that. I except that if something should happen it will be on me and make my life hard but I think that is a small chance considering. I know of no vet that would vaccinate a sick cat-that struck me as odd it was done WHILE it had the UTI?
Thanks. I never heard of this law but here it is from the DHHS website:
- Vaccinate pets. Vaccination is required by law in New Hampshire for dogs, cats, and ferrets 3 months of age and older, even if they stay indoors. Make sure to keep your pet's vaccinations up-to-date.
Do you think the problem was vaccines or the food? I have never heard of vaccines causing cancer.
@zoneout
There is a strong relationship between rabies vaccines (especially an see version) and a very rare injection site specific cancer that is very dangerous. My vet doesn't give any vaccines to senior cats saying it's unneeded at this point and a risk to older immune systems.
There is a strong relationship between rabies vaccines (especially an see version) and a very rare injection site specific cancer that is very dangerous. My vet doesn't give any vaccines to senior cats saying it's unneeded at this point and a risk to older immune systems.
Any shot is what I am referring to. I don't know if rabies shot does or doesn't cause cancer but it is a vaccine and its a shot so I prefer not to do it. But because of what I read on this sight I would prefer to do it if they can give them the shot in the tail like I had read. And also what is this 1 year shot for rabies, I thought it was always a 3 year thing. Which would help too because you cat doesn't have to get so many shots.
Also does anyone know the law in Pennsylvania on rabies shots? I really don't know what it is. I just know they told me the law says I have to do this. Tell me where I can read about this.
Here is the AVMA information about injection-site cancers with links to more info: https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/Reference/Pages/rbbroch.aspx
And here's the links (it's a PDF) to state laws (keep in mind that local ordinances may be stricter; state laws are the minimum): https://www.avma.org/Advocacy/StateAndLocal/Pages/rabies-vaccination.aspx
The vet can't make you vaccinate your pet, even if it's the law. They might refuse to see your pet, but they can't report you or have you arrested or anything like that. If they do refuse to see an unvaccinated pet, look for another vet. Now, if you have a bite incident with an unvaccinated pet, you might have legal trouble. Soo you just have to decide what kind of chances your pets have of ever having a bite incident with a child or a stranger.
Personally, I vaccinate my cats once, or twice if they're little kittens when I get them, then never again if I can help it. I do keep the dogs legal because dogs are more likely to have contact with the public.
And here's the links (it's a PDF) to state laws (keep in mind that local ordinances may be stricter; state laws are the minimum): https://www.avma.org/Advocacy/StateAndLocal/Pages/rabies-vaccination.aspx
The vet can't make you vaccinate your pet, even if it's the law. They might refuse to see your pet, but they can't report you or have you arrested or anything like that. If they do refuse to see an unvaccinated pet, look for another vet. Now, if you have a bite incident with an unvaccinated pet, you might have legal trouble. Soo you just have to decide what kind of chances your pets have of ever having a bite incident with a child or a stranger.
Personally, I vaccinate my cats once, or twice if they're little kittens when I get them, then never again if I can help it. I do keep the dogs legal because dogs are more likely to have contact with the public.
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Its regulated by the PA dept of agriculture.
- By PA law, dogs and cats must be vaccinated for rabies by 3 months of age and vaccination must be kept up to date.
Thank you for this information, I am always willing to read as much as I can about these subjects. And as I said I have just read an article about giving cats shots in there tails, which will help if there is a problem with the injection sight.
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Everything everyone else said plus: I forgot to mention that one of my vets was convinced that one of my youngest cats had a vaccine-associated sarcoma. We opted for surgery(with wide margins/etc), were prepared for a second surgery to remove his leg if it was indeed a VAS, and it was thankfully benign. It was yet another eye-opener into the dangers of vaccines. I was a member of a yahoo group during this period of time(recent) and the stories were real and heartbreaking. The drug companies offered financial compensation to many of these victims, if that tells you anything..
