New Member and a predicament.

Hi All,

I am a new member to this forum, I am so glad that I found this site. I have read some of the posts and find that this

community is very supportive and helpful to other members. After some thought I decided to join this wonderful community

and look forward to getting to know some of you.

I have a predicament that I am hoping someone can help me or identify with.

I have two fur babies, Indy and Tabby both 9 years old. I had them since they were kittens, they are

related and from the same liter of kittens that I got from a friend. 

When they were young I had them spade and neutered and got them their first round of shots. Upon doing this

is was evident that Indy (my male cat) is allergic to the rabies vaccine, he had a terrible reaction and I almost lost him.

Due to his experience I opted not to get Tabby (my female cate) her rabies vaccine because they are related and I was afraid

that she would have the same terrible reaction.

From this point on I never took them to a vet due to fear of them pushing the vaccines on me. They are indoor only cats and NEVER go

outside. They don't even want anything to do with the outdoor except to watch the birds from the window.

Well, since they turned 9 this month I wanted to get them a midlife health check. I explained my situation to vets around the area as

I was searching for a vet to see them. I was faced wit the reality that due to their expired vaccination record that the law mandates

that they get the rabies vaccine in order to be seen by a vet in my state. Needless to say I am in tears because I cannot put Indy

in the situation because I know what will happen if I allow them to give them the shot. 

So now, I don't know what to do. I am at a complete loss and am stuck. Does anyone else with indoor only cats worry about rabies

vaccines? I have no idea what to do if he gets sick, should I need to take him in they will want to update his shots which will kill him.

I am afraid of braking the law as well, I don't want to be arrested or anything because I don't have the shots updated. 

Has anyone else had to deal with this? What did you do? I need some advice or at least an understand voice to help me cope with 

this unfortunate turn of events.

I guess what I am really asking is, do indoor only cats really need all the vaccines? I am so lost and frustrated with the veterinary world.

Any advice. 

Thanks,

Noelle, Indy and Tabby

Can you contact the vet that witnessed the allergic reaction and have him write a letter?

KKoerner said:

Can you contact the vet that witnessed the allergic reaction and have him write a letter?

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Thank you for the reply KKoerner, 

I wish I did that when it happened. She is retired and no longer working in a clinic. So I do not have a witness, but just myself.

I was in such a panic that I did not think to even ask that. I ended up rushing him to an animal ER so I did not even go

back to the clinic where he got the shots. I just abandoned all vets at that point because I was so scared and did not want to

go through that again. 

Noelle said:

 
Thank you for the reply KKoerner, 

I wish I did that when it happened. She is retired and no longer working in a clinic. So I do not have a witness, but just myself.

I was in such a panic that I did not think to even ask that. I ended up rushing him to an animal ER so I did not even go

back to the clinic where he got the shots. I just abandoned all vets at that point because I was so scared and did not want to

go through that again. 

Click to expand...

I'm so sorry that this is happening to you and your kitties. What about the vet at the ER that you took him to. Maybe he/she can do that for you instead? I get the letter every year for my dog and my cats from the county about the rabies shot/tag and in all honesty, I think that they know an indoor only animal isn't going to get or spread rabies. They just want the money for the tag. I personally only let rabid raccoons into the house during the holidays. They are just too greedy to allow at the table all the time.

Have you checked the law in your state.  I know many vets will say that when the law isn't really as strict as they say it is.  Even in states and communities that mandate rabies shots for kitties, the owner is the one that is seen as breaking the law not the vet.

Kat0121 said:

 
I'm so sorry that this is happening to you and your kitties. What about the vet at the ER that you took him to. Maybe he/she can do that for you instead? I get the letter every year for my dog and my cats from the county about the rabies shot/tag and in all honesty, I think that they know an indoor only animal isn't going to get or spread rabies. They just want the money for the tag. I personally only let rabid raccoons into the house during the holidays. They are just too greedy to allow at the table all the time.

Click to expand...

sadly this happened in another state. We moved shortly after the innocent because my husband received a job transfer. 

It was 9 years ago and I don't even have the number to the ER vet that I took him to. So in reality all information linking

us to that event is effectively lost. I really had not thought about it till a few days ago when they turned 9 and I wanted to get

them a wellness check. Then all the terrible memories came flooding back, I have given myself a thorough butt kicking for not

asking for the documentation when it happened. I was just in a state of shock and panic. Now I am afraid that I will never be able

 to get him vet care due to the rabies vaccination mandate. 

i am so lost and frustrated. 

I was able to get one of my cats health exempted from the Rabies vaccine. He had a stroke-like episode 3 days after his last RV (2 yrs ago) that caused him to lose function of his rear limbs for about 2 weeks. He can now walk; but, does have some lingering issues.

I also have 2 cats that have presented with allergic-type reactions in varying degrees (with the main symptom being vomiting.) Both were pre-medicated with Cerenia (an anti-nausea med) and Benadryl an hr+ before getting the shot.

One of the cats that had a reaction to the RV also had an anaphylactic reaction to the FVRCP vaccine (hyper salivating, glazed eyes, etc..) and will never get that vaccine again.

**I do want to note that of the cats that have had reactions, none of their littermates have had similar issues.** Though, I certainly understand your hesitation!

My suggestion to you would be to try and find a vet that works with rescue groups. My current vets work with several and not one of them will turn down seeing a patient due to overdue annuals/vaccines.

May I ask what state you are in? Perhaps we could help locate such a vet within reasonable driving distance.

Denice said:

 
Have you checked the law in your state.  I know many vets will say that when the law isn't really as strict as they say it is.  Even in states and communities that mandate rabies shots for kitties, the owner is the one that is seen as breaking the law not the vet.

Click to expand...

I did check the law in my state after talking to several vet clinics on the phone. The law does say that the rabies vac is required for all dogs and cats that are owned. I am so scared,

I don't want to break the law but the alternative it is put my cat in a situation that could harm him and even kill him. 

I had not really thought about it till a few days ago. when I wanted to get them their 9 year check up. When I called the vets and explained my situation they all

said that they would have to update his records. I don't really know what to do. All I can do is try to find a holistic vet around but that search has not turned up 

with many answers in my area. 

CatPack said:

I was able to get one of my cats health exempted from the Rabies vaccine. He had a stroke-like episode 3 days after his last RV (2 yrs ago) that caused him to lose function of his rear limbs for about 2 weeks. He can now walk; but, does have some lingering issues.

I also have 2 cats that have presented with allergic-type reactions in varying degrees (with the main symptom being vomiting.) Both were pre-medicated with Cerenia (an anti-nausea med) and Benadryl an hr+ before getting the shot.

One of the cats that had a reaction to the RV also had an anaphylactic reaction to the FVRCP vaccine (hyper salivating, glazed eyes, etc..) and will never get that vaccine again.

**I do want to note that of the cats that have had reactions, none of their littermates have had similar issues.** Though, I certainly understand your hesitation!

My suggestion to you would be to try and find a vet that works with rescue groups. My current vets work with several and not one of them will turn down seeing a patient due to overdue annuals/vaccines.

May I ask what state you are in? Perhaps we could help locate such a vet within reasonable driving distance.

Click to expand...

Hi CatPack, thank you for your post. Your reply is very comforting and helpful. The reaction that you described is pretty much what Indy had. I don't remember them using the words anaphylactic shock, but I remember his symptoms and that pretty much covers it. Yes, I am in Tennessee. I live in the county not the city. I am not sure if that makes any difference.

Even an Holistic vet is going to want to do the rabies vaccine.

Do you have records in the cats' files from the ER vet?  That is going to be the way to succeed at this.  You need to search out that ER hospital, contact them (written letter would be best) and request copies of the documents.  It will take them some time to dig out records that old; follow up with phone calls, starting one week after you mail the letter. 

ANY vet, in any state, will excuse a pet who has had a documented reaction from vaccines, including the rabies vaccine.  So really you have no concerns about your cat, you are able to ensure that he does not have that vaccine and a life threatening reaction ever again. 

His sister will need to have one rabies vaccine.  Do this on a weekday (not a Friday) so that if she does have any reaction, you can run to YOUR vet, not the expense of an ER vet.

Are you close enough to the border that you can see a vet in a different state?

Handsome Kitty said:

 
Are you close enough to the border that you can see a vet in a different state?

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No, I will not be able to travel to another state. Thanks for think about that though.

Well, here is another question that I have been tossing around in my head.

Has anyone had an indoor cat that lived a healthy life to an old age with limited vet care? Just wondering. 

Thanks.

Freedom said:

 
Even an Holistic vet is going to want to do the rabies vaccine.

Do you have records in the cats' files from the ER vet?  That is going to be the way to succeed at this.  You need to search out that ER hospital, contact them (written letter would be best) and request copies of the documents.  It will take them some time to dig out records that old; follow up with phone calls, starting one week after you mail the letter. 

ANY vet, in any state, will excuse a pet who has had a documented reaction from vaccines, including the rabies vaccine.  So really you have no concerns about your cat, you are able to ensure that he does not have that vaccine and a life threatening reaction ever again. 

His sister will need to have one rabies vaccine.  Do this on a weekday (not a Friday) so that if she does have any reaction, you can run to YOUR vet, not the expense of an ER vet.

Click to expand...

yikes, Ok, I did not that of that with holistic vets. I guess I am going to have to track them down and just hope that they still have the records from Indy's inncodent. 

I just feel helpless, but maybe I will be able to find a vet that will understand. Thanks Freedom. 

Do you have records of which vaccine was used when Indy had the adverse reaction? The brand, whether it was a combination shot?

Our last cat went into shock when he got his one-year boosters; at the time rabies inoculations were required for any pets that went outdoors. Thereafter our vet gave him an allergy shot (antihistimine) 20 - 30 minutes before his boosters, gave separate shots rather than the combination one and used a different rabies vaccine. I used to stay at the office for a half hour afterwards "just in case", but he never had another reaction. His foster mom kept close tabs on his four littermates (she kept two, also) and none of them had adverse reactions.

jcat said:

Do you have records of which vaccine was used when Indy had the adverse reaction? The brand, whether it was a combination shot?

Our last cat went into shock when he got his one-year boosters; at the time rabies inoculations were required for any pets that went outdoors. Thereafter our vet gave him an allergy shot (antihistimine) 20 - 30 minutes before his boosters, gave separate shots rather than the combination one and used a different rabies vaccine. I used to stay at the office for a half hour afterwards "just in case", but he never had another reaction. His foster mom kept close tabs on his four littermates (she kept two, also) and none of them had adverse reactions.

Click to expand...

I do have the receipt that I got from the vet and it just says rabies shot. They clinic and number for them are not long valid, she went out of business and the number is no longer theirs.

It just says rabies so I am not sure if it that means a rabies shot or if it could be a combo shot. That is something to think about though.

Noelle said:

 
I do have the receipt that I got from the vet and it just says rabies shot. They clinic and number for them are not long valid, she went out of business and the number is no longer theirs.

It just says rabies so I am not sure if it that means a rabies shot or if it could be a combo shot. That is something to think about though.

Click to expand...

Did you get a rabies vaccation tag? Most vets will give you a rabies vaccination tag along with a certification with spefiics on the type of rabies vaccine, manufacturer of the vaccine, date the vaccine expires, etc.

I do have the certificate, not sure where the tags are at the moment.

Here is another question that came to my mind. If I can get past the rabies vaccine battle, would it be risky to take him in since he is behind on the vaccines? I am kind of afraid to take him in because he has not had any vaccines in Years, could I take in a perfectly healthy cat and bring home a sick one. In addition, he is a cat that us terrified of strange people and places, he freaks out bad. I have heard of stories of vets who get scratched by unvacvinated cats and it gets ugly. I know he would be scared and possibly scratch the vet. I don't want to loose my cat, I feel that either way I am stuck. Is it better to not take him at all? Thoughts??

If you are concerned about him picking up something, just make sure everything is done in the exam room. You can also ask for the exam table to be cleaned again while you are in the room. If the above steps are taken, it is extremely unlikely that he will pickup a virus from going to the clinic. Also, if you have to wait in a waiting area, keep him away from other cats waiting.

I have a few cats that are immunocompromised that are not vaccinated. I've always been promptly escorted to a waiting exam room so that there is very minimal exposure risk. We typical are placed in one of the "exotic" rooms so that the likelihood of anything contagious to the cat is even less likely.

I think scheduling him for a physical and a senior blood panel is worth the possible stress. Vets deal with stressed out animals on a daily basis and the job comes with the risk of getting scratched or bit.

I would suggest using some Feliway spray in the cat carrier 30 minutes before you have to load him up.

If you aren't familiar, Feliway is a synthetic feline pheromone that helps a cat relax. It is NOT a sedative.