I Avoid Taking My Cats to the Vet...

[anjhest]

Originally Posted by gayef

So, put on whatever warpaint makes your strength meter increase and don't let anyone talk you into anything you don't feel is best for you and your pets.

Some of them are quite effective with the guilt factor. At the time that I was "talked into" things, I didn't have enough information to even know if I should say no or yes...so I allowed the vet to sway me.

The last few times that I have been to the vet, I have refused vaccinations with no problems.

 

[tuxedokitties]

Originally Posted by gayef

This makes me angry. I've been to numerous vets who don't hear the word NO when I say it. I don't know what they hear, but they don't hear it as NO.

.....

What I am going around my hiney to get to my elbow trying to say is this ... if your vet can "talk you" into doing things you don't feel are in the best interest of your pet, then you need to seek a new vet who listens to you, hears you when you say no, seeks information from YOU - the person who knows your pet the best - and actually values your input.

So, put on whatever warpaint makes your strength meter increase and don't let anyone talk you into anything you don't feel is best for you and your pets.

That is SO true!

A couple of years ago I took my 19 year old cat in to the cat specialist clinic for a checkup and bloodwork. I saw the intern vet on that visit instead of the main vet. After running the tests and coming back in with some syringes, she explained to me that my cat was in the early stages of CRF. She then gave her one of the injections. I asked what she was giving her, assuming it was a medication or vitamin injection, and she told me it was her vaccinations. I objected and stopped her. She began the BIG PUSH (after giving the first shot), explaining the my totally indoor cat was at risk because I worked with animals and could bring something home (though I was always careful to wash & change before handling my pets). I foolishly gave in. They were cat specialists, after all...why would they promote doing something harmful to my cat?

Poor little Felixia, who because of her age and her CRF status absolutely should NOT have been vaccinated, got very sick afterward. My amazingly healthy cat who had still been able to effortlessly leap 3 feet onto furniture the day before was barely able to walk for weeks afterward, and lost a pound of body weight (a huge amount for a very petite cat). I was afraid I was going to lose her - all so a vet could get some extra $$ for shots, when I'd already spent a small fortune there on bloodwork and a thorough senior checkup!

Thankfully, she eventually gained the weight back and became active again, though she still has not regained her ability to jump quite as high, and it takes a noticeable effort on her part to jump more than a couple of feet. She's 21 now, and while I'm ever so grateful that she's still with me and still amazingly healthy and active considering her age, I can't help but wonder if those vaccines took one of her 9 lives. I'm still furious at that vet.

I hope I'll never let myself be pushed around like that again.

The vet I go to now doesn't push vaccinations on older pets, does very thorough exams, and always takes the time to explain what she does - she's a treasure.

I still believe vaccinations are important, but I really wish more vets would take a step back and focus on exams and client education than on pushing overvaccination on pets who are already fully vaccinated, or who should not be vacinated because of health status. They also need to take the time to explain the possible risks and the symptoms of adverse reaction, too.

 

[alpine'smom]

Tuxedokitties!

How amazing that you have a 21 year old cat! I can only hope to be this lucky with my Alpine.
I'm sure Felixia appreicates the amazing care you've given her.

 

[misschiv]

Hi all. I just joined after finding this site and checking out the forums. This vaccination issue interests me. I have not had my cats, except for one, vaccinated after their initial kitty shots. They are basically indoor cats but are allowed in the fenced backyard during the spring, summer and fall. There is no way for them to get out and I went through a long training period to accomplish them not wanting to leave the back yard. It took time and effort but works and they are great about it. They also have a curfew and are never left outside while I am not home or during the night. A little off topic but I thought it would be a good idea to explain this outdoor thing. Anyway, should they be vaccinated even though they are not in contact with any other animals, just because they do have outdoor time?

 

[sharky]

Originally Posted by misschiv

Hi all. I just joined after finding this site and checking out the forums. This vaccination issue interests me. I have not had my cats, except for one, vaccinated after their initial kitty shots. They are basically indoor cats but are allowed in the fenced backyard during the spring, summer and fall. There is no way for them to get out and I went through a long training period to accomplish them not wanting to leave the back yard. It took time and effort but works and they are great about it. They also have a curfew and are never left outside while I am not home or during the night. A little off topic but I thought it would be a good idea to explain this outdoor thing. Anyway, should they be vaccinated even though they are not in contact with any other animals, just because they do have outdoor time?

the only reason my cats are vaccinated after kitten shots is the fact that one presently goes into the back yard... My vet put it to me this way... 5 yrs down the road that I did not vaccinate ( which she does 3 yr protocal) and the cat caught a bat or some other wild creature , what would I do( answer freak out because she was not even semi up to date ) ....

In many jurisdictions a cat without proof of a rabies vaccination is automatically PTS if a bite of any kind happens ...

Yes , backyards are far safer than a cat wandering loose but wild animals can and do enter ( birds , flies , mosquitoes , mice ect) ... kitty can come into contact with kitty or kitty have contact with their wastes

 

[misschiv]

Thank you. That is pretty much what I thought and were my concerns with spring coming up and them all clamouring to get outside and breathe the fresh air. They are all gettng a little stir crazy especially my black feral rescue, Dakota.

 

[the_food_lady]

I have 4 senior cats and the 5th I had to have put down 3 weeks ago, due to a Vaccine Associated Sarcoma

- he was nearly 16 yrs old and despite 2 surgeries to remove the scruff/side tumors, they came back with a vengeance. Little did I know many years ago, when I used to faithfully get his yearly shots; did that with all of them up until they were about 3 yrs old then I just decided it was silly for they were strictly indoor cats and I saw the push to do it yearly as more of a 'money making' racket on the part of vets.

I recently adopted a new kitty who'd had his first 2 sets of shots while at the Humane Society, prior to me adopting him. I did take him for his rabies shot. The Vet gave it to him in his scruff. I figured this was "okay" as the vet told me previously that the "newer vaccines today" don't create the same risk for causing VAS as the old ones did; which I've since found out is complete BS. So now I feel horrible; knowing that because I was misinformed, he may develop a VAS down the road and I will once again have to face the horrible VAS monster. I guess my other cats could also as well.

I do believe, however, in taking older cats in for a yearly check-up; which includes a senior blood panel, urinalysis and a dental if needed. Older cats are at risk for things like diabetes, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism......and if caught early they can be much easier to control and treat.