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So sad, still find myself fixating on Pookie, after 1.5 months, and getting extremely upset/angry.
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Sucks, sorry for your loss
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My condolences. It always hurts to lose a buddy like that.
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Vaccines
Gents,
I love my cats. I couldn't have a house without one. That said, given what we've been learning about vaccines for humans, about the child vaccine schedule, the monstrosity that is the COVID vaccine, etc., have any of you thought that maybe our pets don't need all their shots either? Merry Christmas to You and Yours, and best wishes for a safe and prosperous New Year, |
There's been significant discussion on substack by certain contributors regarding the same things. Rabies is a once and done vaccine, yet they want boosters for local government fees and vet fees, etc.
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Having been vaccinated for rabies myself, I can assure you that this is necessary. Rabies is a horrific disease, and I have had boosters after subsequent animal bites.
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Mine have the baby vaccines. I see no point of vaccinating indoor cats.
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Be aware some groomers want proof of current vaccines, like rabies. Although when I've had my car groomed professionally a few times they only checked the 1st appointment then never again. One just verbally asked and never confirmed. Short hair cats probably don't absolutely need this option but Reba has very long fur AND dislikes brushing of any kind. I assume they trusted me that if I was current then I would stay current. My veterinarian seems very practical and I feel really looks out for her. She gets whatever she's due for per the schedule on her yearly visits. I don't really care about the cost, which is minimal, I just want her to be protected even though she's only indoors. A single animal 100% indoors could probably go without any vaccinations and be left intact and it still wouldn't matter that much aside of any spraying/heat related BS. Their exposure risk is very low. BUT if that animal gets outside now you basically have maximum exposure on an animal with relatively low skills (indoor pet). My Reba is way too timid to ever go outside and she hates her carrier, she gets very scared and it breaks my heart. Her coat is something I can manage, not perfectly, but she gets so scared going to the groomer or vet I only take her out when required. BUT the vet has found two underlying health conditions thus far and fixed them, so I feel obligated to take her and trust them. I know she hates getting her blood drawn, and I've thought about stopping that, but the data is really good to have as we track for organ health as she ages. They always ask about it at her check ups, as though they expect me to decline due to cost rather than doing it as standard based on history. They remind me it's not required/needed but "good to have". I probably look so worried when I'm in there and like I'm about to start sobbing so they treat me extra nice! LOL All her numbers come back good but I'm always worried when I get the update call from the lab.
My thought process is - the cost is relatively low, and her risk of side effects is low, although her risk or infection is extremely low. I think it's unlikely an animal like a cat, and an adult at that, is going to have an adverse vaccine reaction. These are also old vaccines. They didn't just squeeze through trials 2 years ago, the risks should be well quantified. I would be much more worried about anesthesia for instance. I don't hesitate to keep her up to date or do anything she may benefit from. I noticed she seemed to be itching her ears more than usual prior to going to the vet, and asked if she should get checked for fleas. They checked her coat, found nothing, and said they -could- give her a topical flea treatment just in case but most people don't because of cost. The cost? $25. Twenty five dollars. That cat got the flea treatment. When her lower canines were removed during a dental cleaning I was amazed how much more active she was after. She was in pain and I didn't know it, but the vet knew there was risk to the lower canines when we did her dental cleaning and warned me removal was likely. I do not want to save money on my friend. I've had her ~10 years, she is ~13 years old. If I blow an extra $500 or $1000 over a decade on her that's a blessing that she was healthy. I just want my friend to be healthy and happy. That's basically all we're talking about right? A few hundred bucks over a decade? Or are we trying to avoid adverse reactions from vaccines? If I were going to forgo any medical treatment it would be based on the animal being stressed during travel. When possible I have someone else drive me to the vet so I can try to comfort her on the way. At the risk of insulting our pets, unless the animal which is otherwise healthy drops dead shortly after I'm not sure they have the cognitive function to even determine vaccine risks in that dept. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...1759bd7fb1.jpg |
Originally Posted by rleete
(Post 1673028)
Having been vaccinated for rabies myself, I can assure you that this is necessary. Rabies is a horrific disease, and I have had boosters after subsequent animal bites.
Furthermore, I was vaccinated because the best cat I ever had (age 3) caught a bat and brought it into the house. The bat bit me, and since the cat didn't have an up to date booster I was ordered by the state to put her down. All of my animals will forever be vaccinated on schedule for rabies. Now at age 47, this remains one of the most devastating events in my life (I was 21 when this happened). |
Originally Posted by poormxdad
(Post 1673007)
I love my cats. I couldn't have a house without one. That said, given what we've been learning about vaccines for humans, about the child vaccine schedule, the monstrosity that is the COVID vaccine, etc., have any of you thought that maybe our pets don't need all their shots either?
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Man, that sucks.
I was bitten by a neighborhood cat I was petting, when my cat returned and startled the one I was petting. He then bit me on the hand (quite deeply) and because I couldn't provide records of the biter, I had to have the shots. |
Originally Posted by Braineack
(Post 1673077)
We are 100% convinced that Solensia basically slowly killed Pookie. We never gave our cats boosters otherwise, they are indoor cats...
Is Solensia a "shot", in the sense of something delivered on a schedule like rabies or feline distemper, or is it a medication that happens to be injected? Like insulin? I've had to give Reba medication prior, small pills and I've opened up capsules to pour on her food. Now I just give her Metamucil on her food twice a day as recommend by a vet. It has really helped her stomach/digestion. |
Not to interrupt a discussion but heres my cats
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...60e6a757a.jpeg Silvia: hes the largest and most anti social. A first pancake, everyone knows you burn the first pancake. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...fedd1c5f5.jpeg Nismo: my prized possession, shes a huge fan of me, im a huge fan of her, cant sleep without me and is very spoiled. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...123195f05.jpeg Newest addition: clark, very vocal, very social, very kitten coded given he is a kitten. Has shaved buttcheeks can you guess which I got to name? |
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