Veterinary Teaching Hospital will not see my 17 year old cat because he's not up-to-date on his Rabi

I moved to a new state a couple of months ago and this is the first time I've ever encountered this at a Teaching Hospital(he's been to 3 different ones).  He's had an elevated respiratory rate at times recently so I asked my vet to write a referral for him to see a cardiologist.  He has a number of health concerns(AV block, chronic URIs/asthma, otitis, mild kidney disease, residual neurological stuff) so I wanted him to see an internal medicine doctor as well as cardiology. 

I'm feeling very distraught as I just called to make the appointment and was told he had to be up-to-date on his rabies vaccination.  I asked what "up-to-date" meant and she said "1-3 years ago."  I explained that he had a very bad reaction(falling down, ER visit) from his last rabies vaccination and his vets haven't felt I should vaccinate him.  The reaction happened about 7 years ago.  I asked if a titer test would suffice and she checked with someone and they informed her that it had to be an actual vaccination and it's the law. 

He's 17 and has a number of health concerns.  I feel it would be irresponsible to vaccinate him at this point.  I obviously want him to have the best care possible and I just don't know what to do.  I'm going to look into the state laws as I imagine this would be an issue if I were to bring him to a different cardiologist in the state.

Am I being unreasonable in not wanting to vaccinate him given his circumstances?

That's ridiculous. Did you ask to speak to a supervisor or the manager? What if your vet writes a letter stating your cat has underlining medical conditions which prohibit vaccinations? This is a speciality hospital, they must have ways around these arbitrary rules. What state are you in? 

I would definitely look into the state laws.  Who did you speak to that told you that?  They could be wrong.  There are always extenuating circumstances and reasons why not to have a vaccination if they are willing to listen to reason.  Being sick is one of those reasons.

I took my sick kitty to Banfield (Petsmart) several years ago because they were the only ones open on a Sunday.  The stupid vet (sorry but it's true) insisted that he get a rabies shot that day!  I mean she kept on insisting and kept on until I wanted to cuss her out.  I knew he should not have a rabies shot while sick so I kept on refusing.  

Three months later, this same kitty had a petit mal (simple partial) seizure 2 days before his vet appt for a checkup and shots with a different vet.  I told this new vet about the seizure, but she gave him his rabies shot anyway.  It was Merial's Purevax (non-adjuvanted).  Two days later, I witnessed him having a grand mal seizure.  I still don't know if it was related to the shot or not.  I chose Merial because it was less risky than the others.  This vet advised me to not give him a rabies shot again, so I haven't.

I totally understand your fears and yes it would be irresponsible to "obey the law" - if it even is the law.  I've been told several things from the receptionists and techs at the front desk that turned out to be untrue.  So it's wise to verify it for yourself.  If it is true, you could ask to speak to one of the doctors about why your kitty can't get the rabies shot at this time.  Hopefully they will listen.  

The state is Indiana, which doesn't appear to have an exception for ill/elderly animals: https://www.avma.org/Advocacy/StateAndLocal/Documents/Rabies_state_law_chart.pdf

I could bring him to a neighboring state but I really don't want to put him through a longer drive and I need to have some place to bring him to in an emergency situation.  There are no emergency vet hospitals here so I would have to drive about 1.5 hours, and fear I'll be met with the vaccination issue there as well. 

I'm going to attempt to speak to someone higher up and also speak to my vet. 

OceanBreathes said:

 
The state is Indiana, which doesn't appear to have an exception for ill/elderly animals: https://www.avma.org/Advocacy/StateAndLocal/Documents/Rabies_state_law_chart.pdf

I could bring him to a neighboring state but I really don't want to put him through a longer drive and I need to have some place to bring him to in an emergency situation.  There are no emergency vet hospitals here so I would have to drive about 1.5 hours, and fear I'll be met with the vaccination issue there as well. 

I'm going to attempt to speak to someone higher up and also speak to my vet. 

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I think that's a good idea and like missmimz said get a letter from the vet stating why your kitty should not have the vaccine.  Would it even be possible to for your vet to call  the Veterinary school and speak to someone there about this (if they don't accept the letter)?  

Go somewhere else, they have made there position clear. It's a tricky situation vets are in insurance wise dealing with animals that don't have currebt rabies vaccine. Some insurance companies require vets to put down any unvaccinated animal or an animal showing neurological symptoms that bites or scratches a vet or vet tech and send the head in for testing. I know it's a pain to drive so far to find another vet but try calling around some and see if you can find a place with a different policy. It's tricky to find one but there out there.

It's not looking good.  His regular vet did not return my phone call yesterday(understandable as I know this is a difficult position to put a vet in given the strict laws) but sent two texts today.  He wanted to know exactly how bad my cat's reaction had been to the vaccination and said he wanted to get him vaccinated so he could go to the teaching hospital.  The teaching hospital receptionist simply left a message stating "we wanted to know if you had decided if you wanted to bring him here or not." 

I don't know what to do.  The vet has only seen him twice and isn't 100% familiar with all of his records/history.  He's 17 and has a number of health concerns and seems to be a sensitive cat in general.  He's also doing okay right now, though I like to get him in with a cardiologist every 6-12 months and want some opinions from an internal medicine doctor on his other concerns.

Not having him vaccinated means no emergency services for him, aside from what little the clinic could offer him.  His vet told me he would need to go to the 24 hour hospital 1.5 hours away if he were to require oxygen, for example.  My plan has been to go straight there and now I believe they wouldn't be able to see him due to the ridiculous law here.  So yeah, I'm at a loss as to what to do. 

I absolutely hate it when a compromised animal is made to get vaccinations he doesn't need.  I'm assuming your boy is an indoor cat.  I'm afraid of vaccines in general, although my bunch are vaccinated.  My vet does titer testing; he's also one of those vets who believes pets are over-vaccinated at times, and I agree.  I had a female kitty with a skin disorder who was on steroids for much of her life, although we tried specialists, dietary changes and cleaning products that she couldn't possibly have a reaction to.  She was never allowed to have vaccinations again after she began the steroids.  I know you're in such a quandary, especially considering his reaction to an adjuvant-free version of the vaccine.  If there is a good vet or clinic 1.5 hours away, I think I would be tempted to go there, but I would first make sure he would be treated by them.  No cat of mine has ever liked a car ride, but I give mine Bach's Pet Rescue Remedy before they ever get put in the car and it works well to calm them.  Another idea would be to speak to your former veterinarian and have him recommend a vet in your area.  Chances are he will know one if the states are adjoining and possibly even if they are not.  

Resolved! Kinda. The teaching hospital told my vet that he absolutely must be up-to-date to be seen. He suggested giving him Benadryl along with the vaccine. I just didn't feel it was safe(given advice of past vets/etc) and didn't feel I should risk my cat's health for something that would have no direct medical benefit for him.


So I called the teaching hospital in a neighboring state and they couldn't care less if he's vaccinated. . I also called the two emergency clinics in my current state, which are 1.5 hours away, and they said they will see him if he ever has an emergency. I'm relieved. I know the teaching hospital in my state is excellent and I really wanted him to be able to go there but.. At least there's another option and it only adds one more hour to the drive.

Good news! I thought reading this was strange as I've taken multiple cats to a hospital for emergency care without knowing their vaccination history (was pet-sitting and not given vet records) and they were always seen! Make sure you have copies of all your cat's vet records to bring with you in case of emergency. I agree with you about not vaccinating him at 17, I'm surprised the hospital had such a problem with it.

Yeah, I just assumed the hospitals wouldn't see him after the teaching hospital said "no" and I saw how strict the law was; what a relief.


The records tip is a good one; I have a fat stack of his records right here


It's very disappointing that the teaching hospital refused to see him as they've been suggested to me as the place to go should he ever need a pacemaker. I'm not thrilled that they would require a vaccination on a senior cat with multiple health concerns. It seems highly unethical :/

@OceanBreathes, oh good!  So you now have several options - I'm so glad  Forcing a senior cat to get an unnecessary vaccination because "that's the law" seems very unethical to me too.  Withholding treatment because of it is even worse.  I distrust pharmaceutical companies to begin with. That little boy of yours has already had a bad reaction to this very vaccine and it seems that fact is getting little to no acknowledgement from the veterinary staff you've dealt with.

MaggieMay said:

@OceanBreathes
, oh good!  So you now have several options - I'm so glad  Forcing a senior cat to get an unnecessary vaccination because "that's the law" seems very unethical to me too.  Withholding treatment because of it is even worse.  I distrust pharmaceutical companies to begin with. That little boy of yours has already had a bad reaction to this very vaccine and it seems that fact is getting little to no acknowledgement from the veterinary staff you've dealt with.

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I agree! Is there an American Veterinary Board you can complain to? This is not ethical especially withholding treatment. That's just cruel in my opinion.

Ginny said:

I agree! Is there an American Veterinary Board you can complain to? This is not ethical especially withholding treatment. That's just cruel in my opinion.

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There's a listing of all US state veterinary boards here: https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/Reference/Pages/Veterinary-State-Board-Web-sites.aspx

There is also a state licensing board (US and looks like Canada as well): https://www.aavsb.org/public/ You can also verify a vet's license to practice there as well.

OceanBreathes said:

Resolved! Kinda. The teaching hospital told my vet that he absolutely must be up-to-date to be seen. He suggested giving him Benadryl along with the vaccine. I just didn't feel it was safe(given advice of past vets/etc) and didn't feel I should risk my cat's health for something that would have no direct medical benefit for him.

So I called the teaching hospital in a neighboring state and they couldn't care less if he's vaccinated.

. I also called the two emergency clinics in my current state, which are 1.5 hours away, and they said they will see him if he ever has an emergency. I'm relieved. I know the teaching hospital in my state is excellent and I really wanted him to be able to go there but.. At least there's another option and it only adds one more hour to the drive.

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I'm glad you were able find a solution! This kind of thing really urks me, and I was just as distressed as you were. I won't go into what happened with two of my cats on two different occasions, but I am against sick cats and senior cats, and especially cats who are both old and sick, getting vaccinated if they are indoors only. My state does not have a medical exemption law. Some vets/clinics are just really, really strict. The vet I've been going to for the last six years is like this, and I'm done. With as much money as I've spent there and them knowing how well I take care of my cats, you'd think they'd cut me some slack. My 16-year-old Boo is due for his 3-year vaccine in November, and I'm just not doing it again. There is another clinic further away that I don't like as much that won't vaccinate sick and/or senior cats. They'll do the titers. I'll just have to go there. Funny that they are from the same state.

Quick reply: I'm sorry for what you're going through as well. It's just not ethical, imo. I've been made to feel a bit guilty by a past vet over it yet she was still happy to see my cat because she cared about helping him. I hope things work out well with the new vet. I have written a letter to the cardiology department at the vet school who refused to see him; I'm hoping they can do something. If not, I will contact others there. It's the place where I wohld need to bring him should he need a pacemaker :/

OceanBreathes said:

Quick reply: I'm sorry for what you're going through as well. It's just not ethical, imo. I've been made to feel a bit guilty by a past vet over it yet she was still happy to see my cat because she cared about helping him. I hope things work out well with the new vet. I have written a letter to the cardiology department at the vet school who refused to see him; I'm hoping they can do something. If not, I will contact others there. It's the place where I wohld need to bring him should he need a pacemaker :/

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 I hope things work out with the new vet, as well. Let us know how it goes!

It did not go well. The vet was.. Not a good match for me/my boy. And we received some bad news regarding his heart and lungs(collapsed lobe).

I've contacted one of the vet schools he went to previously as the doctor(cardiologist) we saw was knowledgeable, experienced, respectful, and took the time to thoroughly explain things/answer questions. It's quite a drive but it will be worth it if he feels we should be seen, based upon the recent findings. I'm still waiting to hear from the other vet school that is much closer but won't see him due to the rabies concern. We are once again looking at the possibility of a pacemaker, something I am not sure I should put him through, along with the 48 hour vet stay for holter monitoring. It's been difficult.

OceanBreathes said:

It did not go well. The vet was.. Not a good match for me/my boy. And we received some bad news regarding his heart and lungs(collapsed lobe).

I've contacted one of the vet schools he went to previously as the doctor(cardiologist) we saw was knowledgeable, experienced, respectful, and took the time to thoroughly explain things/answer questions. It's quite a drive but it will be worth it if he feels we should be seen, based upon the recent findings. I'm still waiting to hear from the other vet school that is much closer but won't see him due to the rabies concern. We are once again looking at the possibility of a pacemaker, something I am not sure I should put him through, along with the 48 hour vet stay for holter monitoring. It's been difficult.

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Oh no! I'm so sorry it didn't go well. What a bummer. And I'm SO sorry about the bad news.    "Difficult" is an understatement.

Thinking of you and sending positive vibes.... 

Gosh I'm so sorry to hear this!  I'm hoping that this "bad" vet is making things worse than they are, and that the cardiologist you saw before can help.  

(This is completely aside but a good point: I had one dentist who told me one of my back teeth could not be saved and had to be pulled.  I got a 2nd opinion and that dentist saved the tooth!  So I do hope for a much better outcome with your 2nd opinion!)