Vet will not board elderly sick cats without distemper vaccinations

[jenny82]

I have a problem.  I have a trip in February with my parents that was planned a long time ago, and my vet refuses to board my cats without their annual distemper vaccinations, even though they both have health problems.  Chessy, 14, has kidney disease, and Mia, 11, has IBD and is recovering from emergency surgery (that's a whole other thread).  They're both up to date on their rabies vaccinations (it's required by Maryland law).  When Chessy got his rabies shot a few months ago he had very little appetite for a few days.  I'm very uncomfortable having them get distemper vaccinations (they did have them about 18 months ago).  I discussed this with my vet, and she insisted that the risk of them getting sick while boarded from not having the vaccine would be greater, and that if one or both of them did get sick they may not survive it.  Does this sound right to anyone?  I want to switch vets anyway, but I was going to wait until Mia's condition was more stable.  Should I just find a new vet now who will board them without giving them the distemper vaccination?

 

[donutte]

I've never boarded my pets before, so can't say what is considered normal. I've heard others say that their vets said the same thing though. I've even heard of vets that won't see a new patient without getting their shots up to date first. 

In a way I understand it though. If a really sick cat comes in, and gets your cat sick as a result, that wouldn't be a good situation. Plus it's probably a liability thing on their end, and possibly even dictated by their insurance.

 

[misterwhiskers]

Can you get a pet sitter? Distemper is so contagious, I can kind of understand the vets concern. It might be required by law as well.

 

[zed xyzed]

Could you get a pet sitter or family member to say over or check in on them a few times a day? I think that it would be a lot less stressful for them. 

 

[jenny82]

I don't think I can get a sitter, they both need daily meds and Chessy gets subq fluids. I've never boarded them before either, but now that they have health problems I think it's a good idea they be at the vet who can keep a close eye on them.

I wish I didn't have this trip, it's really bad timing. I can't not go, my parents are already a little upset that I stayed home on Christmas Eve to take care of Mia.

 

[jenny82]

No the only people who would have time to do that would be my parents who are going with me. Also Chessy and Mia both eat small meals of canned food about 6 times a day so that would be almost impossible unless someone stayed here the whole time.

 

[jenny82]

My vet also offered to keep them alone in a separate room at no extra charge so I think they will be ok...im just worried about the vaccine. I checked a few other websites and it sounds like there are no exceptions.

 

[catpack]

I guess I've been lucky that my vets have been on board with the decision not to vaccinate certain cats. The most recent is one of our 4 yr olds that is now medically exempt from the rabies vaccine due to a serious reaction (he lost the use of his rear limbs...he gained about 80% function back. This was 2 yes ago.)

The clinic I used was also ok with boarding new rescues that were sick w/o vaccinating first. They waited until they were healthy. The clinic had several isolation areas and worked with several rescues in the area.

 

[fyllis]

Jenny,

I don't know how long you plan to be away, but you might want to consider hiring a professional cat sitter. They are bonded/insured and will work with your schedule regarding daily visits or overnights. The also administer medications and provide myriad other services.

I don't know what city you are in, but here is a list of sitters in Maryland. Many of them have websites. I hope this helps and that you find someone to stay with them. I think keeping them in the home would be safer and more comfortable for them. https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=cat+sitters+in+maryland&rflfq=1&rlha=0&tbm=lcl

As far as vaccinating your cats at this point, I would personally advise against it! A cat with compromised immune system is at risk for adverse reactions to the vaccine. They also rarely get the full affect of the vaccine. I don't know of any Vet or Boarder who would take in a cat without a Distemper shot because it IS highly contagious and almost always fatal. Your cats would both be at an extreme risk should the virus be present where you would board. Distemper is an air-borne virus and can also be transferred via saliva (licking, biting, and sharing food and water bowls), feces, urine, other bodily fluids and even from being bitten by a flea that has fed off an infected animal. 

I hope you find someone to care for them at home. Even if you do find a place to board them, you would be putting them at a tremendous health risk!

Keep us posted!

 

[jenny82]

I guess it's not worth trying to find another vet that would board them without it. I couldn't get that link to work but I'll see what I can find. I don't think my husband would be too crazy about someone we don't know coming to our house but maybe I could convince him.

Thanks!

 

[fyllis]

I guess it's not worth trying to find another vet that would board them without it. I couldn't get that link to work but I'll see what I can find. I don't think my husband would be too crazy about someone we don't know coming to our house but maybe I could convince him.

Thanks!

Google Cat Sitters in Maryland and you should be able to find a list. 

Another suggestion is to check with your Vet to see if any of the Techs in the office would be in a position to take them in or come to your home while you are gone. If they have pets of their own, I am pretty certain their pets are all vaccinated, so there wouldn't be a risk to your cats and I am sure they would be secluded from any other pets. But again, taking already ill cats out of their environment and into someone else's home is added stress on them. It would be best if you could find someone to come in and care for them. Assure your husband that professional cat sitters are insured and bonded. And you could always set up a 'Nanny Cam' while you are gone. 

You don't have any other friends, relatives, co-workers or neighbors who would be able to care for them? 

*sigh* You are a 9 hour drive from me, or I'd come do it! I hope you find a solution soon!

 

[jenny82]

Ok I'll search today. I'll ask at my vet clinic too. My friends in this area have pets of their own and wouldn't be able to. Aww thanks

 

[margd]

Definitely check with your vet to see if one of the techs would be interested. My old vet used to have someone who did this. Also I had a friend who lived in Columbia, MD whose vet's tech used to come to the house and give meds to a cat he was pet sitting. Another tech used to take in his dog when he went on vacation. All I know is the vet was in Howard County but I assume the location was near Columbia. It might be worth checking with some of the vets in the area.

I wish I could help since I also live in Maryland but I don't have transportation. [emoji]128533[/emoji]

 

[jenny82]

I'd be a lot more comfortable with a vet tech coming over than with a pet sitter, because Chessy is usually very difficult to give subq fluids to.  I'll call around to other vet clinics in the area too.  Thanks!

 

[LTS3]

Care.com is another place to search for pet sitters and a myriad of other services

 

[jenny82]

I didn't get to search too much today because I was really busy at work. But I did talk to a coworker and she suggested asking my vet if she would accept titer tests instead of the vaccine. What do you think of that idea?

The more I think about it the more I think someone coming to my house even twice a day might not be good even if I could find someone...both my cats are such picky eaters and eat so many small meals throughout the day, it would be hard for someone to make sure they both eat enough. Also they'd have to be really good at giving subq fluids since chessy is so difficult.

I don't think they'd be too stressed out in a separate room at the vet...I know it's not as good as being at home but at least they would have techs there able to take care of them all day.

 

[jenny82]

They last had their distemper shots 15 months ago so they should still have the antibodies right?

 

[catpack]

Actuality, yes, and the new rules (according to the AVMA) is for the FVRCP vaccine are that the vaccine is given every 3 years now (now changes have been made to the actual vaccine.) Most, though not all vets, have adopted this new policy. So, there is your "loop hole" in avoiding thus vaccine.