Does anyone else choose not to vaccinate?

Hi All, 

I am a new cat on the block and I have a question, does anyone else choose not to vaccinate indoor only cats?

Has anyone had a indoor only cat that had a long full life with limited vaccines?

Just wondering. Thanks

I have 4 cats.  They all have had their kitten shots and a rabies shot.  I choose not to vaccinate one of my kitties, on the advice of my vet, because she has feline herpes and every time she got the FVRCP the first two years of her life, she would get deathly ill.  After much discussion with my vet, discussing the pros and cons of vaccinating, we decided to pretty much not vaccinate any of our other kitties either.  My herpes girl is now 10 and hasn't had any vaccines in 8 years.  She's perfectly healthy, as are all my kitties.

stephanietx said:

 
I have 4 cats.  They all have had their kitten shots and a rabies shot.  I choose not to vaccinate one of my kitties, on the advice of my vet, because she has feline herpes and every time she got the FVRCP the first two years of her life, she would get deathly ill.  After much discussion with my vet, discussing the pros and cons of vaccinating, we decided to pretty much not vaccinate any of our other kitties either.  My herpes girl is now 10 and hasn't had any vaccines in 8 years.  She's perfectly healthy, as are all my kitties.

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Wow!! thank you so much for sharing you story stephanietx. I too have to cats who only had their kitten shots. Indy my male cat had a terrible reaction to the rabies shot and nearly died as a result of it. I thus opted out of having Tabby his sister vaccinated due to the possibility that she could also react since they are related. They are now 9 and perfectly healthy and don't get vaccinated or see the vet often. I feel better knowing that I am no the only one with this situation. Thank you for sharing. 

I chose very limited vaccination for my youngest cat, Charlie. He had 2 FVRCP vaccines as a kitten, and 1 rabies shot. He's only 5 years old now, but, so far so good. No health problems of any kind.

I have also had cats who stopped getting annual shots when they were middle aged (after I learned they were unnecessary) and lived many more years without any additional vaccines.

Your vet can always do a titer to test for antibodies if there's any concern.  My vet told me that the only real reason they would need shots was if we moved or there was a rabies outbreak.  I still take them to the vet for a yearly check up, as three of the 4 have some chronic health issues, but overall, they are very healthy and happy kitties.

In Europe we vaccinate cats once every 3 years but when I moved back to the States, I had my cats vaccinated two years in a row and had issues. I won't be doing that again!!

My cat had her kitten vaccinations only. When she went for her 1 year "booster" she had a bad reaction, so I have decided that she won't be getting any more. She's indoor only, with the exception that she get's outside time on a  leash and harness, supervised by me. My vet actually said to not bother with vaccinations because she is in good health, the only cat, and is indoors. 

My fiance had a cat growing up, that was indoors, didn't have any vaccinations, and lived past the age of 20!

I live in pakistan. I have 2 kittens 1 male and 1 female. Is vaccination is must to both of them. I gave them 1 vaccine. Should i go for 2 sone or not?

mrs abid said:

I live in pakistan. I have 2 kittens 1 male and 1 female. Is vaccination is must to both of them. I gave them 1 vaccine. Should i go for 2 sone or not?

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It depends on the vaccine.  A standard kitten vaccine is the FVRCP and it protects against several things including the very dangerous feline distemper which you can bring into your home on your shoes.  It is usually given 3 times, 4 weeks apart usually at 8, 12, and `6 weeks of age and then once again at 1 year of age and then every 3 years.  If your cat is indoors then a rabies vaccine might not be needed, but it also depends on how common rabies is where you live.  I know that in many parts of India (granted a different country) it's very common in much of the country.

My second cat got his kitty shots and rabies and none since. She is terrified of the vet and had serious anxiety and it's not something I want you to do. She stays inside.

js124 said:

My second cat got his kitty shots and rabies and none since. She is terrified of the vet and had serious anxiety and it's not something I want you to do. She stays inside.

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My male cate is the same way. He is terrified of people he does not know and he get terribley stressed when we have people over. 

He had his kitten shots, had a bad reaction that almost killed him and has never gone back since. 

I just worry that I am making the wrong decision because if he is not kept up to date at least wellness wise I am afraid he will be denied care if

he gets sick. I am afraid to take him the vet because i know he will freak out and might bite the vet in which case I will loose my pet. It is hard

being in this position.

What do you plan on doing if you need to take your cat, who like mine is terrified of the vet or strange people? I could use some advise.

I have 2 beautiful cats, both do not go out. They had their very first shots when I first got them about 8 years ago and nothing since. Both a happy and healthy. A vet will tell you they need shots ! Then it'll cost you unnecessary money.

My Persian cat is 15 years old. I had him vaccinated as a kitten and he nearly died. I never had him vaccinated again and he's been just fine. Pet Smart won't groom an unvaccinated cat nor will most of the big chains and some Vets won't treat them either but I've found just as many groomers and Vets too who understand my reasoning for not vaccinating him ... My boy is an indoor only cat and he's always been quite healthy until just lately. IBS/IBD turned him into a daily vomiter within the last few months but thanks to Vitality Science products and a good Vet and me changing his food from dry and grain wheat filled wet brands to INSTINCT wet cat food (no more dry and no more birds and no more wheat and grain brands) we've gotten that near miss under control I pray and he's still not vaccinated either. That's my experience. You'll hear different opinions about this and everything else but ultimately you'll have to make your own decision on everything. If mine was a multiple cat household or if I was introducing a rescue animal into my home or if my cat spent anytime outdoors which he doesn't or if we ever planned to board him or take him abroad I might investigate vaccines a bit more closely and give them to him but my cat is too old for all that now and especially with his past history of not tolerating vaccines well. Good luck.

STRAYCAT15 said:

My Persian cat is 15 years old. I had him vaccinated as a kitten and he nearly died. I never had him vaccinated again and he's been just fine. Pet Smart won't groom an unvaccinated cat nor will most of the big chains and some Vets won't treat them either but I've found just as many groomers and Vets too who understand my reasoning for not vaccinating him ... My boy is an indoor only cat and he's always been quite healthy until just lately. IBS/IBD turned him into a daily vomiter within the last few months but thanks to Vitality Science products and a good Vet and me changing his food from dry and grain wheat filled wet brands to INSTINCT wet cat food (no more dry and no more birds and no more wheat and grain brands) we've gotten that near miss under control I pray and he's still not vaccinated either. That's my experience. You'll hear different opinions about this and everything else but ultimately you'll have to make your own decision on everything. If mine was a multiple cat household or if I was introducing a rescue animal into my home or if my cat spent anytime outdoors which he doesn't or if we ever planned to board him or take him abroad I might investigate vaccines a bit more closely and give them to him but my cat is too old for all that now and especially with his past history of not tolerating vaccines well. Good luck.

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Thanks for sharing your story. My story is much the same. My cats are 9 (litter mates) Indy my male cat does not tolerate vaccines well at all. Makes him deathly sick. Tabby my female is okay with them but neither has had their vaccines since they were kittens. I want to do wellness checks but I find that I get vaccines  pushed on me. I want to insure that they can get care if they are sick but I am afraid that if they get sick I will not be able to find a vet to see them because they are unvaccinated. It is really kind of stressful, but I cannot let him get the rabies shot because it may kill him. I am in the process of looking for a vet that will see them but so far I am coming up empty. I feel better knowing that I am not alone on this issue.

In fairness to you, my experience with Mr. Vegus and Vets and vaccines has most likely been made easier on me and him both because Mr. Vegus hasn't ever needed to see the Vet (such a healthy cat for the first 14 years) until of late and the Vets I've used since he started vomiting a few months ago treat my dogs and horses of which I have (let's just say) ... quite a few of both[emoji]128521[/emoji]. I'm telling you though ... make a note of Vitality Science and should any of your cats ever develope any kind of chronic condition (let's pray they never do) then go to their website and contact their customer care department and see what they recommend you do. Had I known about them months ago I could have saved Mr. Vegus a lot of agony and me the stress and Vet bills too. As I recall Vitality Science doesn't advise vaccines for cats so maybe they have some advice for how you should handle your delema too? Good luck to you.

STRAYCAT15 said:

In fairness to you, my experience with Mr. Vegus and Vets and vaccines has most likely been made easier on me and him both because Mr. Vegus hasn't ever needed to see the Vet (such a healthy cat for the first 14 years) until of late and the Vets I've used since he started vomiting a few months ago treat my dogs and horses of which I have (let's just say) ... quite a few of both[emoji]128521[/emoji]. I'm telling you though ... make a note of Vitality Science and should any of your cats ever develope any kind of chronic condition (let's pray they never do) then go to their website and contact their customer care department and see what they recommend you do. Had I known about them months ago I could have saved Mr. Vegus a lot of agony and me the stress and Vet bills too. As I recall Vitality Science doesn't advise vaccines for cats so maybe they have some advice for how you should handle your delema too? Good luck to you.

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I have heard a lot about Vitality Science on this site. I am new, so can you tell me what they are? Are they a online vet service or a pet food company? 

Thanks. 

I also worry about the rare event of my cats scratching or biting someone and they report the bite or scratch to the medical profession. I would have no information

to back up the claim that he does not have rabies and I would loose my cat, and his brain examined. That does bother me, and since he is allergic to the rabies

shot I feel volenerable in a way.

Now we don't have many people over and when we do I make sure that cats are locked in a room away from company. But still

they could accidentally bite my kids while playing, the bite get infected, I have to take them to the dr for antibiotics and I would have to report my own cat.

Maybe I am going off the deep end here, does anyone have any advice or experience with this rare but not impossible situation?

Thanks. 

Vitality Science has holistic remedies.  Many people have had success with their products helping IBD.  http://www.vitalityscience.com/

I have had all mine vaccinated with FVRCP and their Rabies as its required by law. I only did it once as when they were fixed and older kittens. I've not had it repeated again, only the rabies to keep them current. I would say at least have them vaccinated once, as the vaccine lasts a very long time in the cat. And whoever and wherever it gets done, do not let them inject it in any other place besides the tail or lower hind limb.

Vitality Science is a family owned privately held company whose products are made to their exacting standards here in the USA. They sell cat and dog food supplements and offer sound free advice ... My experience with them has been excellent. My cat has for all practical purposes been cured of IBS/IBD and it only took 10 days. First I changed his food to that which VS's customer care department recommended while I waited for my VS suppliments to arrive (they'll send you a list of brands they recommend and you can check your local pet stores for them or in some cases order directly from the manufacturer online). By the time my VS order arrived Mr. Vegus eating his new food well, still vomiting but not as many times per day as before I changed brands or as much volume each time he did. It took less than 3 days of mixing the VS suppliments into his new food (as directed) before his vomiting stopped completely. Mr. Vegus seems to be cured of IBS/IBD whereas nothing 2 different Vets did or recommended I feed him ever over the last 8 months brought him any or much relief. So I'm singing VS's praises from the mountain top. Google them. See what you think. As to whether you should or shouldn't vaccinate ... hum ... You'll have to decide how much risk you are wiling to take on either side and go from there. You've got legitimate concerns. My reasoning for not vaccinating Mr. Vegus has worked for us both all these years but it may not work well for you. The bottom line is that your cats are fortunate to have a Mommy as concerned as you. I wish you luck.

In my country house we have never done any vaccinations and our last cat was 19 years old - never did he get any special diet or visited vet. Most of them have been running around freely around the county house and died in their old age.

At the same time, my friend who had an indoor cat, who had been vaccinated, managed to get out to the streets and was caught  by the animal catchers and taken to the shelter,  picked up a sickness  in there that killed  her within few days.

So in my opinion it all depends on situation, risks of getting sick (rabies in the area etc) and your inner feeling. Vaccination can be good, but at the same time it doesn't save from everything.