yearly booster shot needed for indoor cats?

[PomLove1]

Recently we were reminded that our cats were due. I have spoken to other cat owners and they have stated that they never bring their animals in for these so called "yearly booster shots". Are they really needed or is it a waste of time and money?

thanks

[nanamouse]

As far as the rabies shot goes your cats can be impounded and you can be fined if they don't have them up to date. I believe that rabies is a requirement in all 50 states. Regarding the other shots, if you ever come into contact with someone who has been caring for or petting a sick cat, even one which isn't showing symptoms yet, you are puting your cats at risk. Having seen firsthand how contagiouse and lethal distemper and FeLV are I would not want to take the chance.

[PomLove1]

ugggggh. my wife's mom's cat is sick all the time.

[nanamouse]

They definatley need to stay up to date on the shots then. Unless of course you and your mother-in-law get along as well as my son-in-law and I, in which case she'll NEVER be at your house and around your cats lol!

[tiffers]

Definitely stay up to date. Not only for the safety of your cat, but for the safety of your pocket-book and other cats in your neighborhood.

[KathyW]

Rabies in my state is every 3 years, and "up-to-date" varies with the vet. Mine feels we're over-boostering; most of her recommendations are for every 2 years. I share her concern that we're over-vaccinating our pets because questions raised about the scientific basis of the "yearly booster" had reps from vaccine companies admitting that, in many cases, there is none; it just sounded like a good interval that would keep people bringing their pets in on a regular basis. One rep from a company that makes a rabies vaccine said that, based on the lifespan of most cats and dogs, most probably didn't need any boosters after the initial series. (He insisted on anonymity, of course. ;) )

I wasn't surprised by the lack of scientific evidence because a similar lack of evidence plagues children's vaccines as well, where decisions are all too frequently made based on "Well, this sounds good" or "Let's have a booster when they go into kindergarten, not because they need it then, but because it's easier for us to keep track of it". As a medical assistant, it was alarming to see how much of medicine is just guesswork. It's as much art as science, hence all the differing opinions out there.

[special]

My vet uses the purevax rabies vaccine which is a one year vaccine. It does not contain the adjuvants which are know to cause vaccine site sarcomas. the adjuvants are also suposedly what makes the vaccine more effectve for three full years. (sort of a booster)

Yearly, or the three year rabies vaccine is required by law in my state.

The annual distemper vaccine (RCCP) has been made a three year vaccine instead of yearly. I was very happy with that as I had already decided not to let my cats have the RCCP yearly, it makes them very sick. (I never get vaccines together)

The FeLV (which is a needle-less injection now) is also an annual but my cats are very low risk and I do not have them vaccinated for FELV (feline leukemia)

I think it is very important that cats get annual (at least) check ups. Getting their vaccines can be a way of keeping track of that I guess. I keep a file on each cat and detailed records. I have been accused of "micromanaging" my cats because I keep such records, by a very mean person, but her words don't count with me.

I am always appalled when people come in here looking for help and admit their cat has "never been to the vet"., though I TRY not to lecture, when someone is looking for help, haha

by the way if your mother's cat is "always sick" perhaps she ought to have her cat tested for FelV and FIV. Both compromise the immune system, both are fatal, though in different ways. I know FeLV cats who have lived to be 10 years or more, but have no experince (yet) with FIV. (feline aids)

[jblilbear]

I live in South Carolina and the rabies shot is the only thing required and only for dogs, not cats.

They do the yearly rabies vaccination here. In Michigan, where I used to live, they did 3 year and rabies was not required for cats.

[Extremis]

Our Vet explained to me that the Rabies shot is important to get, even for indoor cats like mine, as an infected mouse could easily get inside that they could come into contact with.

I believe after the first year, it's every three years for the Rabies shot here.

[DustyLeaf]

I just got my reminder too. We don't do the rabies shots here in Australia(I think?...no rabies) Polly is an indoor cat but I did like the idea that she gets a full exam when we take her to get a booster, so I think we will keep up with them. Of course I am a little concerned about over-vaccinating and think I'll do a little research on an unbiased opinion of how often it should be done.

[vix506]

I'm glad I read this thread. I'm always scared I'm going to bring something home to Lucky because I am in sooo many random homes to get patients. I've seen some scary things in houses! Makes me wonder how some people live in their houses :eek:

[xpalaboyx]

i think booster shots helps in maintaining your pet's health.