My elderly aunt has two indoor cats and does not give them any vaccinations what so ever. Her reasoning is that they never go outside her home and cannot be exposed to any diseases. Her income is limited to her social security alone and I understand she must struggle to make ends meet, (she can't afford litter and shreds up newspaper). But Missy and China Boy are her life. She's usually impossibe to reason with and I'm wondering if there are some good arguments I can make to persuade her?
Somebody please educate me as to the importance of these shots. They don't get Revolution or Advantix either.
Thanks for your help!
JanH?
If they do not get fleas, they do not need the topicals.
The 3/1 viruses are common and easy to catch. It can be done by carrying them in on shoes. Distemper is EXTREMELY contagious and deadly. Just two 3/1 shots (first and first annual booster) can give a greatly increased protection over none. After those two, there will be some protection for a long time, but boosters are three years apart anyway. If they DO get sick (and it can be cancer or kidney failure, etc. that has nothing to do with exposure) they can be exposed during care for those things.
As for rabies, it depends on the law and risk locally. Some vet hospitals will not treat a patient without current rabies and that means not getting treatment or, if they allow it, getting the rabies shot then, which is the worst time to give a shot. One also has to understand what will happen to the cat if he bites - and a sick cat can get frightened and bite a vet or vet tech.
Cats need periodic vet checks just like people, particularly as they age. The additional cost of a shot is not that much.
It sounds like her finances make these things extras and she may deal with her own health in the same way. Depending on the alternatives for the cats, this situation may be best for all concerned. She gets her cats and they get an improved and safer life. Holding off on medical expenses for an actual illness rather than preventative steps is a necessity for some. It is possible with older cats that they have been exposed and fought off two of the three viruses and the shot will not add much protection. The big danger is distemper and one can hope not to be exposed. It tends to be found most in feral populations and sometimes shelters.
I recently consulted with a holistic vet who suggested that I do not vaccinate the new kitten I'll be getting soon, since he'll be an indoor cat only.
I found this advice shocking! Then I've discovered that there are some vets that maintain this opinion. So maybe it's not so bad. [???]
I wouldn't want my kittens or dogs to go without the initial inoculation - but I have my doubts about the recommended frequency of booster shots.
It is a very controversial topic and not standardised worldwide...
I think you have just discovered yet one more reason to avoid holistic vets.
Well if they're never exposed to anything, then they don't need protection. But to think they won't ever be exposed is a gamble. Not something one usually want to do with loved ones.
Do visitors come in and pet the cats? They can spread germs. Mosquitos come indoors and are known to spread heartworm - a parasite that can be fatal. Do they ever go out to the vet or elsewhere? They can be exposed.
Did you check them carefully for fleas and ticks? Parasites can spread disease. Long term exposure can cause serious harm.
Being indoor cats might work against them. It can mean that they were not exposed to germs which might have helped build immunity. So it's quite possible they have weaker immunity systems than outdoor cats.
Just like people, prevention is much much cheaper than the cure - if there is a cure.
Why not offer to get together a fund among the relatives and pay for it and take them? When you get the first two shots, you may well provide protection that will last 8 years or more. It is not a protection to rely upon, but if more is not possible that can be a very big difference.
(08-10-2010 04:17 PM)nicky263 Wrote: [ -> ]and not standardised worldwide...
True, but there is a consensus of experts reflected in the 2006 report to feline practitioners.
http://www.catvets.com/uploads/PDF/2006_..._JAVMA.pdf
(08-10-2010 04:01 PM)GeoVal Wrote: [ -> ]I recently consulted with a holistic vet who suggested that I do not vaccinate the new kitten I'll be getting soon, since he'll be an indoor cat only.
I found this advice shocking! Then I've discovered that there are some vets that maintain this opinion. So maybe it's not so bad. [???]
I use a holistic vet recomended by my sister who is a traditional vet.
Charlie had his initial vaccinations. He had to have a rabies shot beacuse he is not from the USA, but it is the only rabies shot he will ever have. Also if you have other animals in the home ( dogs) and they go out, they bring alot in so it is better to be safe than sorry. I use a flea and tick and ear mite on my dogs but not on Charlie.
I switched to a holistic vet when Charlie was very ill and traditional meds did nothing for him. Holistics generally take longer and are costly.
a homeopathic vet is based not upon the name of the 'disease' or 'presenting complaint' but rather upon the whole picture presented by the individual patient. Because of this need for individualisation, three different patients with the same named disease may very possibly receive three different homeopathic medicines. Equally, the homeopathic vet might prescribe the same remedy for many different named conditions, if the patients involved exhibit appropriate signs and indicators.
I do not think a holistic vet should be avoided but I do not think that they are for everyone. It works for me and my pets. If something serious were to go wrong and I had a choice my vet knows I would head straight to Boston Angel Memorial.
You may want to reconsider the rabies shots. I believe it is true of Angell Memorial and KNOW it is true of Tufts. They will not admit a patient that does not have current rabies protection. If not, they give the shot as a condition of admittance (and this was for an indoor only cancer patient cat - who was current and did not need the shot). Giving a rabies shot to a seriously ill cat is the worst possible time to have to give the shot. If Angell is your primary choice for very serious problems, then check with them on their current rabies policy for admissions before you decide not to stay current.
Yes very true of angell. No rabies no admin. I have battled with this thought numerous times.
(08-10-2010 08:46 PM)JanH Wrote: [ -> ]You may want to reconsider the rabies shots. I believe it is true of Angell Memorial and KNOW it is true of Tufts. They will not admit a patient that does not have current rabies protection. If not, they give the shot as a condition of admittance (and this was for an indoor only cancer patient cat - who was current and did not need the shot). Giving a rabies shot to a seriously ill cat is the worst possible time to have to give the shot. If Angell is your primary choice for very serious problems, then check with them on their current rabies policy for admissions before you decide not to stay current.
Yes. Very true of Angell. You cannot be admitted without a current rabies shot ( for good reason may I add). I have battled with this thought numerous times. Charlie is current but it will run out next year.