I am frustrated. I was at the vets last week because my 4 month old kitten was pooping outside her box. Turns out she needed her anal glands expressed. So the vet did it and my kitten is comfortable again and all is good. Except that I was just looking at my folder on her and realized that when i took her to the vet, she was due for her booster as well as her rabies shot. And the vet did not mention either one. Is it the vet's responsibility to keep track and check when I go in if she is due or is it my job to remind them she is due?
So now I need to make an appointment for her. Rabies is required by law in my country. Would you all do the booster first or rabies first?
And after the 3rd booster and rabies, is she all done until one year? After that is it the booster annually and rabies annually?
Its very confusing!
When I say booster I mean panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus.
I do not plan on doing FIP, FeLV, or FIV per breeder.
Also, should I have my cat tested for FIV or FeLV or FIP even if she came with a health guarantee?
Usually, the vet techs should notice the shots are due. Not much of a reason to change vets, but you might want to ask if they send out reminders of boosters and annual check ups.
The 3/1 shots should be given every 3 to 4 weeks until the kitten is either over 16 weeks or 20 weeks, the latter being somewhat better protection. The first annual booster should be between when the cat is one year old and the first anniversary of the last kitten shot. (Closer to the former is perhaps a better choice if kitten shots stopped before 20 weeks of age.) After the first annual booster, boosters should be every three years.
I would not give a 3/1 shot and rabies shot at the same vet visit to a kitten. After age one, that is OK.
You can test for FeLV/FIV if it will make you more comfortable, but keep in mind there are fairly common false positives in kittens for the FeLV. If that happens, you just do another test to confirm it is false. Do not waste your time with any FIP test. They are not really FIP tests, but rather titer tests for CV. CV titers are extremely common and mean close to nothing in terms of FIP risk.
(08-31-2010 06:25 AM)JanH Wrote: [ -> ]Usually, the vet techs should notice the shots are due. Not much of a reason to change vets, but you might want to ask if they send out reminders of boosters and annual check ups.
The 3/1 shots should be given every 3 to 4 weeks until the kitten is either over 16 weeks or 20 weeks, the latter being somewhat better protection. The first annual booster should be between when the cat is one year old and the first anniversary of the last kitten shot. (Closer to the former is perhaps a better choice if kitten shots stopped before 20 weeks of age.) After the first annual booster, boosters should be every three years.
I would not give a 3/1 shot and rabies shot at the same vet visit to a kitten. After age one, that is OK.
You can test for FeLV/FIV if it will make you more comfortable, but keep in mind there are fairly common false positives in kittens for the FeLV. If that happens, you just do another test to confirm it is false. Do not waste your time with any FIP test. They are not really FIP tests, but rather titer tests for CV. CV titers are extremely common and mean close to nothing in terms of FIP risk.
Thanks for the reply. I am very happy with thiis vet except for I was frustrated when I got home and realized they did not remind me about the vaccination and I have to go back. I'm realizing that I need to keep track myself.
I think I am going to skip the tests but stick with the core vaccinations.
The receptionist at my vets sends out booster reminders which is really handy! I think that the vets see so many pets, and rely on the receptionists to remind owners of things. I don't think it should be a reason to change your vet if you are otherwise happy with them! xx
Since you were just in you may want to double check whether you will be charged for a visit. Some vet offices do not if it is a routine vaccine and/or rabies and some do not charge if you were in the office with a few months.
(08-31-2010 08:56 AM)Megailee Wrote: [ -> ]Since you were just in you may want to double check whether you will be charged for a visit. Some vet offices do not if it is a routine vaccine and/or rabies and some do not charge if you were in the office with a few months.
Good idea. When I call for the appointment I will ask them that.