I'm new to this, so I hope I did this right. My 15 year old cat is diabetic and my vet wants to give him a rabies vaccination. I'm terrified it could seriously harm him. I don't want him to have it. Any advice?
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Rabies shot for a 15 year old cat?
- Thread starter moomy
- Start Date
Some states require all pet cats and dogs to be rabies vaccinated. West Virginia is one such state.
Here is the AVMA's list of rabies vaccination requiresments by state: https://www.avma.org/Advocacy/StateAndLocal/Documents/Rabies state law chart.pdf
Brief summary from http://www.dogs4dogs.com/rabies-laws:
WEST VIRGINIA RABIES LAWS (NO medical exemption) -- http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2010_SESSIONS/RS/Bills/HB4407%20SUB%20ENR.htm effective June 6, 2010
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That §19-20A-2 and §19-20A-5 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted, all to read as follows:
ARTICLE 20A. VACCINATION OF DOGS AND CATS FOR RABIES.
§19-20A-2. Vaccination of dogs and cats.
(a) A person who owns, obtains or possesses a dog or cat within the State of West Virginia shall have the dog or cat properly vaccinated against rabies with a vaccine capable of producing immunity for three years, boostered one year after initial vaccination and every third year thereafter. Dogs and cats need not be vaccinated before the age of three months, but must be vaccinated by the age of six months.
There are peple who choose not to rabies vaccinate their cats despite the state law. I don't think a vet can force you into it or report you to state authorities for failure to comply with the law.
The Merial PureVax non-adjuvanted vaccine is the preferred one to give. It doesn't contain any adjuvant, the stuff that can cause vaccine-associated sarcomas in some cats. Purevax is available as a 1 year vaccine and a new 3 year vaccine.
Here is the AVMA's list of rabies vaccination requiresments by state: https://www.avma.org/Advocacy/StateAndLocal/Documents/Rabies state law chart.pdf
Brief summary from http://www.dogs4dogs.com/rabies-laws:
WEST VIRGINIA RABIES LAWS (NO medical exemption) -- http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2010_SESSIONS/RS/Bills/HB4407%20SUB%20ENR.htm effective June 6, 2010
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That §19-20A-2 and §19-20A-5 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted, all to read as follows:
ARTICLE 20A. VACCINATION OF DOGS AND CATS FOR RABIES.
§19-20A-2. Vaccination of dogs and cats.
(a) A person who owns, obtains or possesses a dog or cat within the State of West Virginia shall have the dog or cat properly vaccinated against rabies with a vaccine capable of producing immunity for three years, boostered one year after initial vaccination and every third year thereafter. Dogs and cats need not be vaccinated before the age of three months, but must be vaccinated by the age of six months.
There are peple who choose not to rabies vaccinate their cats despite the state law. I don't think a vet can force you into it or report you to state authorities for failure to comply with the law.
The Merial PureVax non-adjuvanted vaccine is the preferred one to give. It doesn't contain any adjuvant, the stuff that can cause vaccine-associated sarcomas in some cats. Purevax is available as a 1 year vaccine and a new 3 year vaccine.
Even if your state legally requires it, I think you can get an exemption if the vet agrees it could be harmful to your cat's health.
My cat is 14 and has diabetes and kidney disease, but the vet recommended his rabies shot on Saturday (it's also legally required by my state). He didn't eat for about 18 hours except for a little chicken, and vomited fluid once, but then he started eating normally again. I'm going to tell the vet that I don't want any more vaccinations for him because in his condition he can't afford to go very long without eating.
My cat is 14 and has diabetes and kidney disease, but the vet recommended his rabies shot on Saturday (it's also legally required by my state). He didn't eat for about 18 hours except for a little chicken, and vomited fluid once, but then he started eating normally again. I'm going to tell the vet that I don't want any more vaccinations for him because in his condition he can't afford to go very long without eating.
Rabies vaccinations are state law in Ohio, but I refuse them at my veterinary practice and the doctors don't push the issue. They don't report me but I don't think they would because my cats are like yours: indoor-only, elderly and delicate. I think this is a gray area that vets might be willing to overlook if it involves unhealthy pets that are the least likely to contract the disease. All I can say to you is say no to your vet and see what happens. If your vet refuses to back down, you have the power to grab your cat and walk out (pay, of course).
